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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

\

VOLUME III NUMBER 1

January 197^

ANIMAL

KEEPERS'

FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

^'Animal Keepers’ Forum*' is a non-profit monthly publication distributed

TO PROFESSIONAL ZOO KEEPERS INDEPENDENTLY, AND BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIA-
TION OF Zoo Keepers as a service to its members. "Animal Keepers'
Forum" includes news and official announcements of the American Associ-
ation OF Zoo Keepers.

AAZK Board of Directors:

Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks., Executive Secretary
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca.

Bela Demeter, V/ashington, D.C.

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma.

Pat Sass, Chicago, III.

ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM Pus-lication Staff:

Ron Kaufman, Topeka, Ks., Editor
Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks., Editor
Vicky LaRue, Topeka, Ks., Mailing
Linda Rounds, Topeka, Ks., Typist
JuDiE Steenberg, Topeka, Ks,, Printing

Articles in this newsletter may be reprinted with the permission of the
author, credit to this publication is requested.

THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEWS OF
THE AKF STAFF,

Send news items and articles for publication to:
AKF EDITORS / 635 Gage Blvd. / Topeka, Ks . 66606

Questions for Dr, Patton’s nutrition column should
BE SENT to the AKF EDITORS.

For information concerning membership in the AMERICAN ASSOCIATION
OF ZOO KEEPERS write to: AAZK National Headquarters / 635 Gage Blvd.
Topeka, Ks. 66606.

Deadline for the February issue of AKF is 20 Jan. ’76

WORLD*S OLDEST CAPTIVE GORILLA CELEBRATES 45th BIRTHDAY

Massa, the world's oldest captjve gorjlla, celebrated his 45th birthday
AND the 40th anniversary OF HIS ARRIVAL AT THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO ON TUES-
DAY, December 30*

MASSA (meaning "big boss"), a LOWLAND GORILLA, WAS BORN SOMETIME IN 1931
IN THE REMOTE JUNGLES OF WESTERN AFRICA. AFTER HIS MOTHER WAS SLAIN WHILE
RAIDING VILLAGE CROPS, HE WAS RAISED BY SYMPATHETIC NATIVES. He WAS THEN
SOLD TO A SEA CAPTAIN WHO IN TURN SOLD HIM TO MrS . GERTRUDE LiNTZ, A DE-
VOTED ANIMAL LOVER WHO SPECIALIZED IN REARING BABY PRIMATES. MRS . LiNTZ
ALSO OWNED GARGANTUA WHO BECAME THE FAMOUS CIRCUS GORILLA. MASSA AND GAR-
GANTUA WERE PLAYMATES.

One DAY, Massa, then weighing more than tOO pounds, was inadvertently

SURPRISED BY HIS SURROGATE MOTHER WHILE HE WAS SCRUBBING THE KITCHEN

FLOOR. The frightened animal attacked Mrs. Lintz so severely that she
decided reluctantly to give him UP, On December ^0, 1935^ she brought
HIM TO THE Philadelphia Zoo where he has lived in the Monkey and Ape
House ever since. He was originally thought to be a female but was found

TO be a male SHORTLY AFTER HIS ARRIVAL AT THE ZOO, HE WAS INTRODUCED TO
another MALE GORILLA NAMED BAMBOO, BUT THEY FOUGHT AND WERE SEPARATED,

Recognizing the fact that Bamboo, the Zoo's former record-holding gorilla,
died of a heart attack (at age 3^); Zoo officials have KEPT Massa slTm (he
NOW weighs approximately 300 pounds) and his DIET WELL BALANCED. HiS
CAREFULLY CONTROLLED DIET IS LARGELY RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS LONGEVITY. A
TYPICAL DAILY DIET INCLUDES SIX ORANGES, TWO CARROTS, TWO BUNCHES OF KALE,
A HALF HEAD OF CABBAGE, AND TWO POUNDS OF ZOO CAKE (tHE ZOO'S OWN FORMULA
COMPLETE WITH ALL THE VITAMINS, MINERALS, AND PROTEINS NECESSARY FOR GOOD
NUTR IT I ON ) .

MASSA's generally HEALTHY CONDITION IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR HIS EXCELLENT
RECOVERY FROM A SERIES OF OPERATIONS PERFORMED IN . HE WAS SUFFERING

FROM INFECTED SINUSES, A CONDITION WITH WHICH MANY CITY RESIDENTS ARE VERY
FAMILIAR.

Massa is one of the Philadelphia Zoo's three longevity record-holding

GREAT APES. T HE OTHER TWO ARE SuMATRAN ORANG-UTANS, GUAS AND GuARINA, AGE
55; the world's OLDEST CAPTIVE PRIMATES.

1

American Association of Zoo Keepers
635 Gage Boulevard
Topeka, Kansas 66606

R. I^RLiN PERK i NS CERTiFlCATE OF EXCELLENCE

AAZK PROUDLY ANNOUNCES THAT 8T’S 1975 • MaRLIN PERKINS CERTIFICATE OF

Excellence” has been awarded to John Wolf, long time animal keeper at
THE San Francisco Zoological Gardens.

VJOULD YOU BELIEVE "HUSHPUPP i Es” FOR AN ELEPHANT? WELL, THAT’S WHAT

brought John to our attention. Last April one of the elephants at the
San Francisco Zoo was suffering from fistulous tracts in all four feet.
During attempts to arrive at a means of relieving the condition, a set
OF boots was suggested but discarded.

According to Assistant Head Keeper Joe Rusk, John picked up on the idea,
located a sandal maker crazy enough to try, and volunteered to pay FOR
THE venture — SOME $600--OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET. SOON THE ANIMAL WAS FIT-
TED OUT WITH A set OF BOOTS OF TOP GRADE COWHIDE, SPORTING STAINLESS
STEEL LACES, DOUBLE THICKNESS SOLE LEATHER AND NEOPRENE SOLES. PACKED
WITH LAYERED COTTON AND ANTISEPTIC IODINE, THE BOOTS DID THE TRICK.

After six weeks’ wear, John took the boots off and the elephant was well

ON HER WAY TO RECOVERY,

In his letter, Joe Rusk says ”Mr<. John Wolf showed the kind of concern,

INITIATIVE AND TO NO SMALL EXTENT COURAGE, IN THIS PURSUIT--”

We CONGRATULATE JOHN VJOLF AND WISH HIM WELL,

CHAFTFR COORDINATOR NAMED

Appointed to fill the newly created post of "Coordinator for Chapter
Affairs” is Dennis Grimm of the Chicago Zoological Park, Brookfield.

Long an active member of the Brookfield Chapter, Dennis serves as their
Executive Secretary. He has been a moving force in the Chapter and has

SEEN instrumental IN ASSISTING IN THE FORMATION OF A NUMBER OF NEWER
Cka PTERS .

Any questions concerning Chapters and their formation may be directed to
Dennis Grimm, c/o Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, Illnois 60513*

2

COGITATIONS ON WILD ANiMAL HUSBANDRY (part II) oy C.H. Keeling,

Worthing, England

As I POINTED OUT SOME CONSIDERABLE TIME AGO IN AN ARTICLE I WROTE FOR
THE NOW (unfortunately) DEFUNCT "KEEPERS VOICE*', STAFF BULLETIN AT THE

San Francisco Zoological Garden, I began pondering deeply when I was

KEEPING RABBITS AND CAVIES AND MICE AS A SMALL BOY. As A KEEN YOUNG
NATURALIST I KNEW MY PETS HAD TO BE CLEANED OUT REGULARLY FOR THE SAKE
OF THEIR HEALTH, AND THAT THEIR DIET SHOULD BE BOTH VARIED AND CAREFULLY
PLANNED, YET THEY FELL ILL AND DIED WITH DISCOURAGING REGULARITY. NEXT
DOOR THE BOY KEPT RABBITS, TOO, WHICH HE FED ON ODDS AND ENDS WHEN HE
THOUGHT HE WOULD AND CLEANED THEM OUT ONLY WHEN THE NEIGHBORHOOD OB-
JECTED - AND THEY LIVED LONG HAPPY LIVES WITH NEVER A DAY’S ILLNESS. It
MADE ME THINK. . . .

Years later I was private tutor to two children of a wealthy family.

They should have been as fit as fighting cocks: in those days (late

NINETEEN FORTIES) WHEN FOOD WAS STILL RATIONED AND IN SHORT SUPPLY IN

England they were fed on chops and steaks and chicken and fresh fruit
AND vegetables; they had multiple vitamin preparations throughout the
winter and THEIR DAILY MENUS WERE ALWAYS CAREFULLY PLANNED BY THE COOK.

They went to bed early, had long muscle-building walks each afternoon

AND SPENT long HOLIDAYS EACH YEAR TO REBUILD WEARY TISSUES - AND THEY
FELL ILL IF THE WIND CHANGED DIRECTION. On THE OTHER HAND THE CHILDREN
IN THE NEARBY VILLAGE HAD TO MAKE DO WITH A DIET FAR TOO RICH IN CARBO-
HYDRATES, SLEPT GOODNESS KNOWS HOW MANY TO A ROOM, MADE THEMSELVES SCARCE
WHEN BATH-TIME CAME ROUND, ATE DISGUSTING LOOKING THINGS THEY PICKED UP
IN THE MEADOWS AND HEDGEROWS, IGNORED CUTS AND GRAZES WHICH IN THEORY
SHOULD HAVE TURNED SEPTIC - AND NEVER KNEW A OAY’S ILLNESS. AgAIN, IT
MADE ME THINK

From childhood I visited every animal collection I could, both public

AND privately OWNED, AND, OVER THE YEARS, NOTED A MOST SIGNIFICANT POINT.
The PLACES where the animals were in really TOP-NOTCH HEALTH WERE NEVER
QUITE AS CLEAN AS THOSE WHERE HYGIENE AND CLEANLINESS FOR THE SAKE OF
CLEANLINESS WERE THE ORDER OF THE DAY - THIS STATE OF AFFAIRS CROPPED UP
FAR TOO FREQUENTLY TO BE A COINCIDENCE. (At THIS JUNCTURE IT COULD PER-
HAPS BE MEDITATED THAT HYGIENE IS UTTERLY AND COMPLETELY UNNATURAL.)

Please do not misunderstand me; as a scientist I do not use words lightly,

AND WHEN I say "nOT QUITE AS CLEAN*' I 00 NOT MEAN FILTHY, BUT AS A RESULT
OF EXPERIMENTS 1 HAVE MADE OVER THE YEARS I HAVE ARRIVED AT THE CONCLUSION
THAT AN ENORMOUS RANGE OF CAPTIVE SPECIES WHICH ARE CLEANED OUT, SAY,

EVERY THIRD DAY, ARE USUALLY BETTER LOOKING THAN THOSE METICULOUSLY

3

ATTENDED TO DAILY. F OR ONE THING, THEY APPEAR TO HAVE WHAT MIGHT BE
=,-ALLEO MORE ’’bLOOm" ON THEM, AND THEY SEEM MORE SOLIDLY BUILT, TOO. OB-
VIOUSLY, CERTAIN SPECIES WHICH VOID PARTICULARLY COPIOUS FECES, LIKE
CATTLE OR NECTAR-EATING PARROTS, COULD NOT BE KEPT IN THIS WAY, AND IN
ANY CASE THE PUBLIC HEALTH AUTHORITIES WOULD POUNCE IF A PUBLIC COLLEC-
. SON WAS NOT KEPT PERFECTLY CLEAN, BUT IT IS WORTH NOTING THAT AT THE

Ashover Zoological Gardens we used to break every rule in the book, and

BOASTED the LOWEST DEATH RATE IN ANY BRITISH COLLECTION - THAT AMONG THE
VERTEBRATES BEING 5 '5^ ANNUM.

A LONG LIST COULD BE MADE OF THE GREAT DIRECTORS OF ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS
WHO HAVE DEVOUTLY MAINTAINED THAT MOST SPECIES DO BETTER AND LIVE LONGER
IF KEPT IN COMPARATIVELY SMALL CAGES AND PADDOCKS, RATHER THAN THE LARGE
BOGUS NATURAL ENCLOSURES SO POPULAR NOWADAYS AND, LET US FACE IT, LARGELY
! HERE PARTLY AS A SOP TO POPULAR DEMAND AND PARTLY TO IMPRESS OTHER ZOO-
LOGICAL GARDENS. The WHYS AND WHEREFORES OF THIS ARE TOO INVOLVED TO BE
GONE INTO HERE, BUT SUFFICE TO SAY THAT I CONSIDER THE DEMOLITION A FEW
YEARS AGO OF THE OLD AnTELOPE HOUSE TO BE ONE OF THE MOST RETROGRADE
STEPS EVER TAKEN BY THE ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. ThIS WAS A WON-
OEFiFUL PLACE FOR ART I ODACT YLAR UNGULATES AND NATURALIST ALIKE; FROM THE
LATTER'S point of view every hair ON EVERY BODY COULD BE SEEN AT CLOSE
QUARTERS, WHILE FOR THE FORMER THERE WERE SMALL SNUG DENS, THICK WALLS
WHICH ALWAYS SEEM TO GIVE A FEELING OF SECURITY, WARMTH (mANY PEOPLE TO-
DAY SEEM TO FORGET THAT ANIMALS FROM THE TROPICS LIKE WARMTH WHEN KEPT
IN NORTHERLY LATTITUDEs) AND OUTDOOR PADDOCKS OF SENSIBLE SIZE. ThEY
LIVED AND BRED WELL HERE, BESIDES SETTING UP SEVERAL LONGEVITY RECORDS.

While on this latter theme, it might be worth pointing out that a stag-
gering NUMBER OF WORLD LONGEVITY RECORDS FOR WILD ANIMALS IN CONFINEMENT
WERE SET UP DURING THE LAST THREE DECADES OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY, AND
n IS A LITTLE KNOWN - INDEED ALMOST CONCEALED - FACT THAT THE PLACE
V/HiCH HOLDS MORE SUCH RECORDS THAN ANY OTHER IS THE MUCH MALIGNED JaRDIN

DEs Plantes in Paris, where many of the animals are still housed in what

LOOK LIKE DUNGEONS FROM THE PAST. It IS NOT A BEAUTIFUL SPOT, THERE IS
MUCH THERE WITH WHICH I DISAGREE, BUT THIS IS THE PLACE TO SPEND A MONTH
OR TWO IF YOU WANT TO LEARN HOXY TO KEEP WILD ANIMALS PROPERLY FOR A VERY
LONG time; something which ALWAYS IMPRESSES ME HERE IS THE HAPPY RELA-
TIONSHIP BETWEEN KEEPER AND CHARGE. It COULD, INCIDENTALLY, BE WORTH
MENTIONING THAT THE AMERICAN ZOOLOGICAL GARDEN WITH THE MOST LONGEVITY

RECORDS IS Philadelphia - and I am sure you do not need an Englishman to

REMIND you that THIS IS THE OLDEST SUCH PLACE IN THE STATES.

4

I COULD GO Oti AND ON. TODAY WE DO NOT CONSIDER THE MOOSE ONE OF THE
EASIEST SPECIES TO KEEP, YET DURING THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY THE SWEDES
kept and TRAINED IT AS A RIDING ANIMAL, RED DeER WERE SOMETIMES TRAINED
TO DRAW CARRIAGES HERE IN ENGLAND AT ABOUT THE SAME TIME, WHILE A NOR-
WEGIAN, Olaus Magnus, has recorded something almost unbelievable about
THE Brown Bear. Not only was it once trained to harness, pulling laden

SLEDGES, BUT AT THE END OF THE JOURNEY IT WOULD UNLOAD THE BOXES AND
BALES AND STACK THEM INTO PILES. AS I SAID EARLIER, ARE WE LOSING THE
ART OF KEEPING WILD ANIMALS?

THE SPECTRUM OF DEATH by Gary K. Clarke, Director Topeka Zoological Park
Death is a part of life.

Anyone who works with living animals over a period of time will experi-
ence DEATH AS A MATTER OF COURSE. DURING MY YOUTH VARIOUS PEOPLE IN THE
neighborhood would bring TO ME ORPHANED, SICK OR INJURED WILD ANIMALS.

Some of them survived with treatment and care, but many of them died.

During my eighteen years in the Zoo profession, death has been one of the
most absolute of realities. As a beginning Keeper, I cared for a newborn
camel that was weak from birth and soon died of congenital defects; this
was very hard to accept. My most difficult decision as a Zoo Director
involved a zebra with a broken leg. After thorough evaluation by veter-
inarians, consultation with equine specialists, and much soul searching,

I decided that euthanasia was the only humane course of action.

V/hile on Safari in Africa in {97^ 5 also saw death in the natural state.
Some animals had been killed by predators, some were victims of drought,
AND some, of course, WERE KILLED BY POACHERS. I CAN SWALLOW HARD AND
accept all of the above instances of death. But I cannot accept death
as I witnessed it in Africa in the fall of 1975*

It was not simply a question of a few poached animals, or lack of rain in
Tsavo National Park — it was a matter of the entire environment dying.

5

The saddest day of my life began at sunrise when we spotted the carcass

OF AN ELEPHANT THAT HAD DIED OVERNIGHT JUST OUTSIDE OUR LODGE. AS WE
STARTED OUR GAME RUN INTO TSAVO WEST, WE NOTICED THAT IN JUST ONE YEAR

THE Park had literally turned into a desert. We learned that the worst
KIND OF destruction WAS TAKING PLACE-- POACHERS WERE SNEAKING IN AT NIGHT
AND cutting down THE FOREST TO BE PROCESSED INTO CHARCOAL. ThUS, THE
animals’ food SOURCE AND HABITAT IS BEING DESTROYED ON A MASSIVE SCALE.

Rhinos are eating the inadequate vegetation that is left. Then, when

THEY DRINK, WATER CAUSES THIS VEGETATION TO BLOAT AND BECOME IMPACTED,
KILLING THE ANIMAL. ThIS YEAR WE COUNTED NINE DEAD RHINOS IN A ROW IN
WHAT IS NOW A VALLEY OF DEATH. fN FACT, WE SAW MORE DEAD THAN LIVE
RH I NOS .

The ELEPHANTS HAVE BEEN DRIVEN TO THE POINT WHERE THEY HAVE COMPLETELY
DESTROYED THE HUGE, ANCIENT BAOBAB TREES. In THEIR DESPERATE ATTEMPTS
FOR SURVIVAL, THE SOCIAL STRUCTURE OF THE HERO HAS BEEN LOST AND WE
SAW MANY YOUNG ANIMALS WANDERING ALONE IN THE BUSH SEARCHING FOR FOOD.
iT IS A TRAGIC SIGHT TO SEE THESE MAGNIFICENT ANIMALS THIN AND GAUNT,

Starving young elephant wandering

ALONE IN SEARCH OF FOOD. TSAVO

West National Park, Kenya. (Photo
BY Gary K. Clarke)

6

NOT EVEN FLAPPING THEIR EARS

Such an experience leaves one feeling very empty and helpless.

What can be done?

What can do?

What can you do?

Personally, I am convinced that the most meaningful course of action is
to support the East African Wild Life Society as much as you possibly can.
The Society, founded in I96i> is a non-profit, non-governmental agency,
assisting the three East African Republics of Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania,
in the work of conservation and development of the wildlife in the re-
gion.

Over three hundred separate conservation activities have been undertaken

AND COMPLETED BY AND ON THE SOCIETY’S INITIATIVE. It IS WORTH NOTING
THAT EVERY CENT OF SUBSCRIPTIONS AND DONATIONS TO THE SOCIETY GO DIRECTLY
INTO CONSERVATION PROJECTS, AND NONE OF THIS MONEY IS USED FOR OVERHEAD,
SALARIES OR ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS, BASICALLY THE WORK DONE BY THE SOCIETY
FALLS INTO FOUR CATEGORIES; EDUCATION, AnIMAL ReSCUE, AnT I - POAC H ! NG AND

Research. Each of these categories list numerous projects undertaken by

SPECIALISTS IN THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELDS,

Membership is only $10.00 a year. This includes a year's subscription
TO AFRICANA, the quarterly wildlife magazine of East Africa, and an out-
standing PUBLICATION. The Society also offers a wide varieiy of prints,
wildlife jewelry, ties, car and blazer badges, greeting cards, POST CAROS,

CALENDARS AND BOOKS. ThEIR ADDRESS IS^

East African Wild Life Society

p.o. Box 2ono

Nairobi, KENYA - East Africa

I URGE YOU to join TODAY.

A DATE TO REMEMBER is March 2{, i97^ it marks the start of the 4ist
North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference. The Conference

REPRESENTS ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS GATHERINGS OF CONSERVATIONISTS IN

North America. The Conference concludes on March 25th and is being held
AT THE Washington Hilton Hotel in V/ashington D,C.. Information may be

OBTAINED BY WRITING: WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE, 1 000 VERMONT AvE., N ,W .

709 Wire Blog., Washington, D.C. 2OOO5.

7

BY Mike Stoskopf, D.V.M., Overton

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS Park Zoo and Aquarium, Memphis, Tn
Last month we discussed the two separate mechanisms of the immune response

WHICH AN animals' BODY USES TO DEFEND ITSELF FROM DISEASE. IT WAS STATED
that the MAJOR PROBLEM AN ANBMAL FACES IS THE DELAY IN GETTING ITS DEFEN-
SES INTO ACTION WHEN CHALLENGED BY A DISEASE ORGANISM, AND THIS IS WHERE
VACCINATIONS COME INTO PLAY. T HE ARTICLE LEFT OFF WITH THE UNDERSTANDING
THAT VACCINES IMITATE THE ANTIGENS OF DISEASE PRODUCING ORGANISMS AND IN
A SENSE PROVIDE TARGET PRACTICE FOR THE LYMPHNODES AND BLOOD CELLS. We
WERE ALSO LEFT WITH SOME QUESTIONS.

V/hAT CAN AFFECT THE RESPONSE OF AN ANIMAL TO A VACCINE?

Why are there different vaccines for the same disease?

Why do we need to give Boosters?

An animals’ response to a vaccine is dependent UPON MOBILIZING its immune
forces in an attack UPON THE SYNTHETIC PATHOGEN WHICH MAKES UP THE VACCINE.
Any factor which will enhance or detract from this process will affect

THE degree of IMMUNITY THE ANIMAL ACHIEVES. AnIMALS WHICH ARE ACTIVELY
fighting off a true disease will respond LESS WELL TO A VACCINE SIMPLY
DUE TO EXHAUSTION OF THE IMMUNE MECHANISM. T HERE WILL BE AN EFFORT MADE
TO DEFEND AGAINST THE VACCINE BUT MOST OF THE RESPONSE WILL BE MOBILIZED
AGAINST THE EXISTING DISEASE. AnIMALS IN POOR CONDITION, ESPECIALLY WHEN
HYPOPROTE I NEM I A IS PRESENT, WILL FAIL TO RESPOND. ThSS IS DUE TO A LACK
OF RAW MATERIALS WITH WHICH TO BUILD IMMUNE PRECURSORS. STRESSES DUE TO
POORLY DESIGNED HOLDING FACILITIES CAN EVEN DECREASE RESPONSE TO A VACCINE
BY CAUSING THE EXCESS PRODUCTION OF STEROIDS BY THE ADRENAL CORTEX. STER-
OIDS DEPRESS THE IMMUNE MECHANISM SEVERELY. BEST RESPONSE TO A VACCINE
THEN, CAN BE EXPECTED IN HEALTHY, WELL FED AND UNSTRESSED ANIMALS.

Different vaccines for the same disease exist for two different reasons.

The first is that different companies use different strains of organisms
to produce their vaccines. The second is the difference between live

and KILLED VACCINES. KILLED VACCINES CONSIST OF A NUMBER OF PATHOGENIC
ORGANISMS KILLED AND FIXED IN EITHER FORMALIN OR PHENOLS. It IS THESE
TWO COMPOUNDS WHICH PRODUCES THE STING OF A VACCINE. ThERE ARE A NUM-
BER OF ADVANTAGES TO THE USE OF THIS TYPE OF VACCINE. FIRST THERE IS NO
CHANCE OF ACCIDENTALLY TRANSMITTING THE DISEASE. T HE PATHOGEN IS DEAD.

Secondly, storage of the vaccine is less critical. (con't next page)

8

On the minus side hov/ever, would be the sting of the shot. Also a killed

VACCINE transmits NO INNEDIATE CELL BLOCK. A LIVE VACCINE WILL ENTER CELLS
AND BEGIN A DEGREE OF PROTECTION IMMEDIATELY, WHILE KILLED VACCINES REQUIRE
TWO WEEKS TO CONFER ANY SIGNIFICANT IMMUNITY, LASTLY SINCE THE ORGANISMS
OF A KILLED VACCINE CANNOT REPLICATE IN THE BODY MORE ANTIGENS MUST BE IN-
JECTED. This increases the probability of an allergic reaction to the
VACCINES which COULD BE FATAL.

Modified live vaccines are produced by causing a pathogen to mutate to a

HARMLESS FORM BY GROWING IT IN UNFAMILIAR MEDIA. T HE TRICK IS TO MAKE IT
HARMLESS BUT TO RETAIN THE SAME ANTIGENIC STRUCTURES. T HERE ARE EXCELLENT
REASONS TO USE EIGHER TYPE OF VACCINE.

A Booster shot is nothing more than a revacc inat i on . After a period of
TIME with no contact WITH AN ANTIGEN THE IMMUNE SYSTEM BEGINS TO QUIT
PRODUCING A DEFENSE AGAINST IT. POR THIS REASON R E VAC C I NAT I ON IS NECES-
SARY IN ANIMALS NOT IN EVERYDAY CONTACT WITH THE DISEASE ITSELF. ThIS
IS CALLED A BOOSTER.

^ * * ^^ ^ ^ * * * * -K- * * * •K- *

Brookfield Zoo's 197^ calendar is

NOW AVAILABLE. ThE FULL-COLOR
calendar features pictures TAKEN
BY Brookfield Zoo staff while doing
field work or on safari in AFRICA.
It is AVAILABLE AT THE ZOO BOOK-
STORE for $3*25 OR THROUGH THE
MAIL FOR $4,00.

Checks are payable to Brookfield
Zoo 1976 Calendar. They may be
SENT TO Brookfield Zoo I976
Calendar, Development Department,
Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, III.

60513.

We are sorry to hear of the death
of Gustav Piepenburg formally of
the Milwaukee County Zoological
Park, Mr. Piepenburg passed a-

WAY SUDDENLY ON f'jOVEMBER 28. HE
WORKED AT THE ZOO FOR 10 YEARS,

primarily in the hoofed-stock

A LOSS TO THE PROFESSION

greatly missed by members and
his FELLOW workers.

complex. Mr. Piepenburg was a

LONG time member OF AAZK and the
Milwaukee Chapter. He will be

9

ANIKALSj INCORPORATED @Y Tom Goldsberry, Portland Zoo, Portland, Oregon

Uncle Sam is determined to get into the zoo business. As if H.R. 663 1
and H.R. 70 weren’t enough, along comes H.R. 4373 (Derwinski, D., III.).

H.R. 4373 has a different approach to the apparently nagging question of
HOW the government and the anti-zoo groups can gain control of zoos and
AQUARIUMS. This time the gimmick is the creation of a National Zoological
and Aquarium Corporation under the smokescreen of “providing assistance*'
to said zoos and aquariums.

Keepers can view this one with mixed blessings. We would be free (so
far) of the $100.00 extortion fee as was provided for in past bills, but,
WE would still not be represented on the Membership Board either, even
though it's our profession they’re kicking around.

Even the proposed membership board (or Board of Directors as it would

NOW BE KNOWN As) WOULD HAVE A DIFFERENT TWIST. T HERE WOULD BE A SIX-
TEEN MEMBER BOARD WITH THE USUAL COMPLEMENT OF ANTI AND PRO ZOO PEOPLE,

BUT NOW THE Comptroller General of the United States and the Department
OF State would get into the act. Fourteen of the individuals would be

APPOINTED by the PRESIDENT, “tO SERVE AT THE PLEASURE*' OF THE PRESIDENT?
THUS, IT doesn’t TAKE TOO MUCH IMAGINATION TO SEE THE MANAGEMENT AND
OPERATION OF ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS BECOME JUST ONE MORE POLITICAL FOOTBALL
WITH THE USUAL CORRESPONDING DECREASE IN PROFESSIONALISM AS EVIDENCED BY
many S I M I LAR RUN GOVERNMENT AGENCIES.

Shovelling all the legalese and political platitudes we find the under-
lying SENTIMENT OF THE ENTIRE BILL IS BASED ON THE SAME OLD “CaTC H-22*' ,
THAT EACH ZOO AND AQUARIUM WOULD HAVE TO MEET ACCREDITATION STANDARDS
ESTABLISHED UNDER H.R. 4373- ThIS IS THE OLD "sTICK AND CARROT*' PHIL-
OSOPHY HONED TO PERFECTIONS WE DO WHAT THEY SAY, THEY THROW US A BONE.

Hatter of fact, the so-called accreditation standards aren't even de-
fined IN the BILL. Does this mean that accreditation standards have

ALREADY BEEN SET AND ARE JUST WAITING FOR IMPLEMENTATION? OR, DOES IT
MEAN THAT PROPONENTS OF H.R. 4373, * THEIR HYSTERIA TO RAM THE BILL

THROUGH, HAVE PUT THE CART BEFORE THE HORSE AND ARE DETERMINED TO GET THE
BILL PASSED AT ANY COST REGARDLESS OF fUTURE CONSEQUENCES TO THE ZOO

INDUSTRY? Perhaps some lawmaker is waiting for the right parliamentary

JUNCTURE TO TACK ON AN AMENDMENT DELINEATING THE SO-CALLED "aCCREDITA-
T t ON STANDARDS*' .

10

How DOES ALL OF THIS EFFECT THE WORKADAY KEEPER? It'S HARD TO SAY AT
THIS POINT BUT, ANY PIECE OF LEGISLATION THAT IS BACKED BY THE "hUMANIACS”
AND OTHER ANTI-ZOO FORCES WITH THEIR VAST FINANCIAL RESOURCES IS BOUND
TO HAVE A PROFOUND EFFECT ON ALL OF US IF AND WHEN IT’s ENACTED.

LCTTER TO THE EDITOR

In READING THE NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER, I WAS DISMAYED AT THE INCREASE IN
HYBRID BIRTHS OCCURRING IN ZOOS.

V^HY, IN A PROFESSION SUCH AS THE CARE OF WILD ANIMALS IN CAPTIVITY,
EXPERIMENT? If THESE PROFESSIONALS WANT TO PRESERVE WILDLIFE, ©0 IT
BY INTENSIVE EDUCATION OF THE PUBLIC. EXPERIMENTATION ON WILDLIFE
BY ZOOS SHOULD STOP. In MOST ZOOS, IN THIS COUNTRY, HYBRIDIZATION IS
NOT AN ENCOURAGED PRACTICE. HOWEVER, HYBRIDS ARE BEING CREATED EVERY
YEAR, AND FOR WHAT PURPOSE? WhY ARE SUCH ANIMALS CREATED IN CAPTIVIT'r,
WHEN THEY OOn’t EXIST IN THE WILD STATE?

Each time a zoo announces another hybrid birth, I wonder what good is

THIS NEW CREATURE? iS THIS ANIMAL A NEW CALLING CARD FOR A ZOO TRYING
TO INCREASE ATTENDANCE TO THEIR ZOO BY HAVING MORE ODDITIES THAN ANOTHER
ZOO? V^ILL THIS ANIMAL BENEFIT IN THIS NEW FORM? ZoOS SHOULDN'T BE USED
AS CIRCUSES OR FREAK SHOWS TO SHOW THE RESULTS OF MAN’S EXPERIMENTATION.

Why educate the public about such animals, when these species don’t exist
IN THE wild?

Educating the public should be the most important objective in zoos. !f,
THE care of wildlife IS TO REMAIN PROFESSIONAL, THEN HYBRIDIZATION SHOULD
BECOME A THING OF THE PAST. LET ’ S CONTINUE TO EDUCATE THE PUBLIC ABOUT
animals THAT DO EXIST IN THE WILD STATE, AND HELP TO KEEP THEM THERE.

"Nature*' has created animals in the most suitable form for survival; man

IS again UPSETTING THE DELICATE BALANCE OF NATURE.

Michael D. Coker
Manhattan, Kansas

11

ANIMAL NUTRITION by Qr. Richard S. Patton, Director

OF Professional Education, Mark
Morris Associates, Topeka, Ks.

Q. There always seems to be confusion about Vitamin D and its various
FORMS. Could you explain this?

A, A NUMBER of compounds SHOW VITAMIN D ACTIVITY. ThE TWO MOST IMPOR-
TANT ARE WHAT WE CALL Dg FROM PLANTS, AND FROM ANIMALS. MANY NAMES
HAVE BEEN USED IN THE PAST FOR THESE TWO VITAMINS AND THEIR ACTIVE
AND NON-ACTIVE FORMS. NOT TO BORE YOU WITH TRIVIA, BUT SIMPLY TO SET
THE RECORD STRAIGHT, THE OFFICIAL TERMS ARE: Y'^^^'YDROCHOLESTEROL IS
TRANSFORMED BY UV LIGHT TO CHOLECAL I FEROL (D3 ) . ThIS OCCURS IN THE
SKIN. ErGOCALC I FEROL IS FROM PLANTS AND IS CALLED .

Vitamin D is needed by all animals with a bony skeleton. Many animals
CAN USE D3 OR D2. Some must have D3. Poultry are known to be unable
TO use D2, hence needing 03 exclusively, and marmosets are thought to
also need D3 exclusively.

Vitamin D is, of course, ind i spens i ble for its role in the prevention

OF RICKETS, A DISEASE OF BONES BROUGHT ON BY POOR MINERALIZATION.

Vitamin D promotes the absorption of calcium from the gut, making more

OF THIS element AVAILABLE TO THE BODY FOR BONE BUILDING.

IT USED TO BE EASY TO DEVELOP A VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY BECAUSE NATURAL
SOURCES ARE LIMITED AND IN TEMPERATE ZONES, SUNLIGHT (UV) CAN ALSO
BE LIMITED. MANY COMMERCIAL FOODS ARE NOW FORTIFIED AND THE RACHITIC
CHILD IS TRULY RARE.

At THE PRESENT TIME D2 COSTS AS MUCH OR MORE THAN D3 . BECAUSE D3
WORKS FOR ALL CREATURES, IT IS THE ONLY FORM YOU NEED TO BE CONCERNED
WITH.

Cod LIVER OIL is a very good NATURAL SOURCE OF Dqi. AlL COD LIVER OIL
PREPARATIONS ARE STANDARDIZED TO PROVIDE 85 I.U./GRAM OR 3^0 I, U. /TEA-
SPOON. There also are available water-miscible forms. In hoofstock,

GOOD LEAFY HAY IS AN IDEAL PREVENTATIVE FOR THIS VITAMIN DEFICIENCY.

Often, though, hay quality is a concern. Under these circumstances, be

CERTAIN TO FEED TO YOUNG STOCK A CONCENTRATE (sWEET FEED, TO USE THE
VERNACULAR OF THE KEEPEr) THAT CONTAINS AT LEAST 5^0 I .U . OF D3 PER
POUND .

12

FROM THE AKF STAFF

Welcome to a new year with AKFo We would like to take this opportunity
TO thank everyone who has supported this effort. We would also like to
EXTEND A SPECIAL THANKS TO Or . RICHARD PATTON OF MaRK MORRIS ASSOCIATES

Topeka; Jerry Houghlan of ZuPreme; Gary Clarke, Director of the Topeka
Zoological Park; Dr. Mike Stoskopf, Memphis, Tn.; Dr. Stuart Porter,
Brownsville, Tx.; Linda Weiss and Perry LaBelle, St. Paul, Mn.; the
Minnesota Zoological Society; and the Topeka Frjends Of The Zoo,

We are also indebted to the many contributors of news items and articles
AND WE encourage EVERYONE TO CONTINUE WITH THIS TYPE OF PARTICIPATION,

The COMPETENT AND HUMBLE AKF STAFF DESERVES A PAT ON THE BACK ALSO,

This newsletter is compiled, edited, typed, layed-out, printed, collated,

FOLDED, STAPLED, ADDRESSED, AND MAILED BY A FEW VOLUNTEER HANDS, ThESE
PEOPLE HANDLED ABOUT ^J^OOO SHEETS OF PAPER OVER THE PAST YEAR PUTTING
OUT APPROXIMATELY 7,200 NEWSLETTERS.

We are STARTING A NEW YEAR WITH A NEW APPEARANCE. T HE l^j6 FORMAT FOR
AKF WILL ALLOW AN INCREASE IN THE AMOUNT OF NEWS WE CAN PRINT WITHOUT
INCREASING THE COST. T HE CHANGE IN PAPER QUALITY AND NEW POSTAGE RATES
WILL CAUSE A SLIGHT INCREASE IN OUR COST BUT THESE INCREASES WILL NOT BE
PASSED ON TO YOU. HOWEVER, YOU CAN HELP US ABSORB THESE ADDED EXPENSES
BY ENCOURAGING YOUR FRIENDS AND CO-WORKERS TO JOIN AAZK . A LARGER MEM-
BERSHIP WOULD ALLOW US TO PROVIDE BETTER MEMBERSHIP SERVICES TO EVERY-r
ONE. If EACH MEMBER COULD CONVINCE ONE FRIEND TO JOIN, AAZK WOULD
DOUBLE IN SIZE.

If YOU HAVE NOT RENEWED YOUR MEMBERSHIP YET, PLEASE DO SO IMMEDIATELY.

We can save much money by buying OUR printing SUPPLIES IN BULK. A
YEARS SUPPLY OF PAPER REQUIRES A SIZABLE AMOUNT OF CAPITAL. YouR
PROMPT RENEWALS WILL GIVE US THIS NEEDED MONEY TO PURCHASE THE SUPPLIES
FOR THE COMING YEAR.

We LOOK FORWARD TO SERVING YOU TO THE BEST OF OUR ABILITY DURING 1976*

If YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVING THE NEWSLETTER WE WOULD BE
PLEASED TO HEAR FROM YOU. BEST WISHES FOR A HAPPY YEAR AHEAD, FROM
THE AKF STAFF.

■JUt-***^-****-**^}-**-*- «■•»•****■«■***«■**«■ «-***«'*if-

♦ AAZK SHOULDER PATCHES ARE AVAILABLE FROM NATIONAL *

* HEADQUARTERS FOR $1.00 EACH. ORDER YOURS SOON’.’. *

****«*»#■»!■****•«• **i«-*4HHfr**i<-#->^*^t»»***^i-***«^»«*#**«-**-***#»**

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION; OF ZOO KEEPERS

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DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 2

FEBRUARY 1976

ANIMAL

KEEPERS'

FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

“Animal Keepers’ Forum” is a non-profit monthly publication distributed

TO PROFESSIONAL ZOO KEEPERS INDEPENDENTLY AND BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

OF Zoo Keepers as a service to its members* “Animal Keepers’ Forum”

INCLUDES NEWS AND OFFICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF

Zoo Keepers.

AAZK Board of Directors:

Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks,, Executive Secretary
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca.

Bela Demeter, VMshington, D.C.

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta Canada
Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma.

Pat Sass, Chicago, II.

ANIMAL KEEPERS^ FORUM Publication Staff: Topeka, Ks.

Jane Kaufman Vicky LaRue

Ron Kaufman Linda Rounds

Chris LaRue Judie Steenberg

Rick Steenberg

Articles in this newsletter may be reprinted with the permission of
THE author. Credit to this publication is requested,

THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEW OF
THE AKF STAFF.

Send news items and articles for publication to:
AKF Editors / 635 Gage Blvd. / Topeka, Ks. 66606

Questions for Dr, Patton’s nutrition column should
BE sent to the AKF Editors.

For information concerning membership in the American Association
OF Zoo Keepers write to: AAZK National Headquarters/ 635 Gage Blvo,
Topeka, Ks. 66606

WORLD’S OLDEST RARE PR t HATE DIES

Guarina, one of the two oldest orang-utans !N captivity in the world,

IS DEAD AT THE AGE OF ^6»

Phsladepphia Zoo Senior Veterinarian Dr, Wilbur B* Amahd euthanized
Guarina on Friday, January |6, when it became obvious that medical
treatment was having no substantial effect on the orang-utan's deter-
iorating condition. An autopsy performed by Dr. Robert L. Snyder,
Director of the Zoo's Penrose Research Laboratory, revealed that
Guarina was suffering from arterial nephrosclerosis (a form of kidney

FAILURE CAUSED BY HARDENING OF THE ORGAW's ARTERIES) AND EMPHYSEMA.

Dr. Amand SAID Guarina showed signs of illness on December 3^

OCCASIONAL COUGHING, LUNG CONGESTION, AND A DECREASED APPETITE, ShE
SEEMED TO RALLY FOR SEVERAL DAYS AND THEN DECLINED AGAIN ON JANUARY 8,

Guarina was removed from her mate, Guas, the other longevity record-
holder, AND PLACED IN ISOLATION FOR FURTHER TESTS AND TREATMENT, ShE
WAS TAKEN UNDER MEDICATION TO THE VETERINARY HOSPITAL OF THE UNIVERSITY

OF Pennsylvania for further examination. X-rays, and electrocardiograms

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF Dr , AmAND AND THE Zoo's VETERINARY STAFF,

Death seemed imminent late in the afternoon of January 12, She was

GIVEN INTRAVENOUS FLUIDS AND OTHER SUPPORTIVE MEDICATION IN ATTEMPTS TO
SAVE HER LIFE.

Guarina and her mate Quas came to the Philadelphia Zoo ©n May 193^5
FROM the private COLLECTION OF THE LATE f^ADAME ROSALIA AbREU OF QuiNTA
Palatino, Havana, Cuba, a woman who devoted much of her life to keeping
AND breeding PRIMATES IN CAPTIVITY.

Former Curator of Mammals Frederick A, Ulmer previously estimated both
Guarina and Guas to have been ten years old when they arrived and their

YEAR OF BIRTH TO BE i9t9*

Much of the credit for the longevity records of Guarina and Guas (as

WELL AS MASSA, THE WORLD'S OLDEST CAPTIVE GORILLA AT AGE 45 AND OTHER
LONG-LIVED ANIMALS AT THE ZOo) CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO TWO BASIC INNOVA-
TIONS DEVELOPED BY THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO'S i?ENROSE RESEARCH LABORATORY.

(cont'd)

14

(cont’d)

First, all the primate enclosures were equipped with glass fronts in
1930 TO protect the animals from respiratory diseases, and in particular,

TUBERCULOSIS.

Secondly, scientifically developed diets — high protein, low fat —

WERE INTRODUCED IN 1935 BY DR . HERBERT RATCLIFFE, NOW DIRECTOR EmERITUS

OF THE Penrose Laboratory. The world-famous Philadelphia "Zoo^-cake" was
(and is today) a composite ration of various grains, minerals, and vita-
mins compressed into a cake form. The basic diet was supplemented with
FRESH fruit AND VEGETABLES,

WORLD’S OLDEST CAPTfVE MANDRILL DIES

Ike worls's oldest captive mandrill died on December !, 1975 at the
Philadelphia Zoo. The 3J-tear, 5“MOnth-olo-female was born at the
‘'Philadelphia Zoo on June 29, 19^^. She exceeded the previous known
longevity record by several years.

According to Dr, Robert L. Snyder, Director of the Zoo’s Penrose Re-
search Laboratory, the mandrill died of cancer originating in the kidney.

The Philadelphia Zoo boasts two longevity record-holding great apes in
STS collection. ThEY ares 45-YEAR-OLD lowland gorilla, Massa, and
A 55“'^^ar-old Sumatran orang-utan, Guas.

BROOKFIELD ZOO GETS NEW DIRECTOR

George Rabb, 46, of Brookfield, has been elected Director of Brookfield
Zoo AND President of the Chicago Zoological Society, He succeeds Dr.
Peter Crowcroft, who last summer announced his resignation to head
Taronga Park Zoo in Sydney, Australia.

Dr, Rabb came to Brookfield Zoo in 195^^ and has served as the park’s
Deputy Director for seven years. Dr. Rabb was born in Charleston,

South Carolina. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree at the College
OF Charleston and his doctorate work was done at the University of
Michigan.

15

American Association of Zoo Keepers
635 Gage Boulevard
Topeka, Kansas 66606

A ^€SSAGE FROM THE PRESIDEf^n' OF TH£ A.A.Z.K.

As THE NEW YEAR BEGINS, I WOULD LIKE TO CONGRATULATE THE AKF STAFF FOR
THE FINE QUALITY OF OUR MONTHLY PERIODICAL. T HERE IS NO DOUBT THAT WE
NEED MORE INPUT FROM OUR MEMBERS TO CONTINUE MAKING THIS NEWSLETTER
ONE OF THE BEST PUBLICATIONS PERTAINING TO THE CARE AND HANDLING OF
CAPTIVE ANIMALS. I WOULD LIKE TO ALSO CONGRATULATE THE NEWLY ELECTED

Board of Directors and I am sure they will individually help the
CAUSES AND PURPOSES OF THE AAZK.

I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK ALL THE NEW CHAPTERS THAT JOINED
US LAST YEAR AND WISH THEM THE BEST OF LUCK. HOPE YOU CAN JOIN ALL OF

US IN San Diego in August.

Finally, I would put out this thought to the Board of Directors, It

BEHOOVES EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU TO COMMUNICATE WITH EACH OTHER TO
FIND OUT WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE ORGANIZATION, DOn’T JUST SIT BACK AND
LET SOMEONE ELSE DO THE WORK. YOU ALL MUST BE A VIABLE WORKING BOARD,
FOR YOU ACCEPTED THE ASSIGNMENTS AND NOW YOU MUST CARRY THEM OUT. So
let’s get CRACKING, THE WORK IS IMPORTANT, DOn’t SLOUGH IT OFF,

I SINCERELY HOPE THAT EACH AND EVERY MEMBER, THEIR FAMILIES AND LOVED
ONES HAVE A FINE, HEALTHY, PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR AND THAT AAZK MOVES
FORWARD TO GREATER HEIGHTS OF ACHIEVEMENT.

AAZK SHOULDER PATCHES ARE AVAIUBLE TO MEMBERS ONLY FROM
NATIONAL ICADQUARTERS FOR $1.00 EACH. ORDER YOURS SOON'.

16

animals you SHOULDN'T OWN by Or. Mschael W. Fox

Remember those heroic tales of a boy- i n-the-wi ld whose life is saved by a

COUGAR, WOLF OR EAGLE HE HAS BEFRIENDED? PROM CHILDHOOD ON, OUR HEADS ARE
CRAMMED WITH STORIES ABOUT WILD CREATURES-MOST OF THEM UNTRUE. MOVIES AND '

TV ROMANTICIZE THEMJ PEOPLE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT WORLD GAIN STATUS AND
ATTENTION BY OWNING THEM| FOOTBALL TEAMS HAVE THEM AS MASCOTS. AdD TO THIS
OUR NATIONAL OBSESSION FOR TRYING WHATEVER IS NEW AND DIFFERENT, AND IT IS
LITTLE WONDER THAT THE OWNERSHIP OF THESE ANIMALS IS INCREASING BY LEAPS
AND BOUNDS.

The LIST OF wild animals for sale today READS LIKE THE INVENTORY FROM NOAH’S
ARKS PARROTS, FALCONS, TROP I CA L F I SH, TURTLES, TARANTULAS, LIZARDS, SKUNKS,
THE CUBS OF LION AND FOX AND WOLFFAND BOBCAT, AND ALL KINDS OF MONKEYS FROM
SQUIRREL MONOEY TO CAPUCHIN. EaCH ONE HAS ITS OVN DISTINCTIVE QUALITIES —
il IS RARE, EXOTIC, BEAUTIFUL, DANGEROUS—! HUS SATISFYING THE TASTES OF ALL
MANNER OF OWNERS, i

Especially in the spring, there will be more wild animals than ever for sale.
As you think to the year ahead, be forewarned. It is very SAD BUT MOST PEO- ;
PLE WILL have to GIVE UP THEIR WILD PETS. WhY? BASICALLY, BECAUSE THESE
ANIMALS HAVE NOT BEEN DOMESTICATED. ThEY’RE UNPREDICTABLE; A CHEETAH IN |

New York mutilated a baby’s feet — the infant's bootees were of rabbit fur.

A FEMALE WOLF NEARLY KILLED ITS HANDLER IN COLORADO! THE *'PET?- HAD JUST |

GIVEN BIRTH TO A LITTER OF CUBS, AND THE HANDLER DIDn't KNOW ENOUGH TO STAY j
OUT OF THE CAGE, A FILM STAR WAS MAULED BY A LION THAT WAS ALARMED BY SOME
MOBILE CAMERA EQUIPMENT. A WRITER LOST HER HAND WHILE FONDLING A ”pET“
raccoon; another had to destroy her COYOTE WHEN IT WENT CRAZY FOR NO APPAR-
ENT REASON,

I COULD GO ON AND ON WITH SUCK STORIES, BUT THEY ALL TELL US THE SAME THINGS
WILD ANIMALS DO NOT MAKE PETS, KEEPING ONE OFTEN ENDS IN TRAGEDY— FOR THE
OWNER, FOR OTHER INNOCENT VICTIMS AND FOR THE ANIMALS THEMSELVES, WHO MUST
ULTIMATELY BE DONATED TO A ZOO OR, MORE OFTEN, BE DESTROYED. BEING TAME
AND BEING DOMESTICATED ARE QUITE DIFFERENT, A WILD ANIMAL CAN BE TAMED SO
THAT IT LOSES ITS FEAR OF MAN AND BECOMES RELATIVELY SOC I A L I ZEO~BUT A
DOMESTIC ANIMAL IS ALL OF THESE THINGS AS WELL AS GENETICALLY SUITED TO FIT
INTO A human's DOMESTIC WORLD. DOGS AND CATS HAVE BEEN DOMESTICATED FOR
f0,000 AND 6,000 YEARS RESPECTIVELY, It'S TAKEN THAT LONG FOR THEIR DOCIL-
ITY AND STABLE TEMPERAMENT TO EVOLVE.

Even when hand-raised from infancy, wild animals are unpredictable and hard
TO train. True, an animal such as the wolf has an inborn tendency to re-
spond to a leader, and since it sometimes sees its human master as this

1?

LEADER, IT MAY BE EASILY CONTROLLED. Or A NATURAL MOTHER- I NFANT BOND MAY
BE FORMED IF THE OWNER TAKES ON THE PARENTAL ROLE WHEN AN ANIMAL IS STILL
VERY YOUNG. fP IN THE WILD THE ANIMAL NORMALLY KEEPS A CLOSE BOND WITH ITS
PARENTS EVEN AS AN ADULT, THEN IT MIGHT REMAIN ATTACHED TO ITS HUMAN FOSTER
PARENT. But MOST WILD SPECIES OF REPTILE, BIRD AND MAMMAL BREAK WITH THEIR
PARENTS— OFTEN WITH SOME CONFLICT AND AGGRESS I ON— BEFORE MATURITY. T HUS
THE PRIMARY SOCIAL BOND WITH THE HUMAN FOSTER PARENT IS EVENTUALLY BROKEN
(by RACCOONS, FOXES AND MOST WILD-CAT SPECIEs) AND DOES NOT ENDURE AS IT
DOES WITH MORE GREGARIOUS SPECIES, SUCH AS THE WOLF OR RHESUS MONKEY.

Another complication is that the infant may become sexually attached to

ITS FOSTER PARENT, EVENTUALLY LEADING TO CONSIDERABLE CONFUSION AND CONFLICT.
It's DIFFICULT TO PROVIDE A WILD PET WITH ITS SPECIAL DIETARY REQUIREMENTS.

And what happens if the animal gets sick? Little is known about the diseases

OF WILD ANSMAfcS* I'VE SEEN MONKEYS CRIPPLED BY INADEQUATE DIETS AND WILD
ANIMALS WITH A TUBERCULARL IKE DISEASE THAT CAN INFECT THEIR OWNERS. Sn
FACT, THERE ARE A NUMBER OF SERIOUS DISEASES THAT HUMANS CAN GET FROM WILD
ANIMALS. The SALE OF LITTLE TERRAPINS OR TURTLES HAS RECENTLY BEEN OUT-
LAWED BECAUSE THEY CAN CAUSE SALMONELLOSIS, WHICH IS A SEVERE INTERNAL
DISEASE. With few exceptions, wild animals grow up TO BE MISFITS IN A
HUMAN WORLD.

Consider a wolf or dolphin alone in captivity, perhaps attached to its

HANDLER BUT NONETHELESS RESTRICTED TO A SMALL CAGE OR TANK ALL ITS LIFE,

CUT OFF FROM ITS OWN KIND. (TS SOCIAL NEED FOR COMPANIONSHIP IS CON-
STANTLY frustrated; its dependency upon HUMANS CANNOT BE FULLY CONSUM-
MATED. Adult monkeys and dolphins deprived of their companions have

MUTILATED THEMS'eLVES OR DIED FROM DEPRESSION. ANYONE WITH A DEEP RE-
SPECT FOR WILDLIFE WILL THINK TWICE BEFORE TAKING A WILD CREATURE AND
PUTTING IT IN AN UNNATURAL CAGE WORLD.

Owning a wild animal can also help accelerate its extinction. Species like

MARGAYS, OCELOTS AND OTHER SMALL SPOTTED CATS FROM SoUTH AMERICA ARE ENDAN-
GERED IN PART BECAUSE OF THE DEMAND FOR THEM AS PETS. THOUSANDS OF BIRDS,
FISH, REPTILES, MONKEYS, SMALL WILD CATS AND OTHER MAMMALS DIE DURING CAP-
TURE, OR FROM THE STRESS AND DISEASE INCURRED DURING SHIPMENT TO THE PET
STORE.

Unfortunately, even well-intentioned people can do damage to the wild

CREATURES THEY TRY TO HELP. ThERE ARE, FOR INSTANCE, MANY KIND SOULS

WHO have backyard feeders for birds or raccoons. They know enough not
TO approach any wild CREAURE in their YARD— they KNOW THAT IT COULD BITE
AND MAY have RABIES (a RABID ANIMAL SHOWS NO FEAR AND MAY SEEM, THEREFORE,

18

0 B£ friendly). But one woman I know puts out 4o pounds of birdseed a
■^eekI Such overfeeding can affect the balance of nature, since, as a re-
sult, THE AMPLY NOURISHED BIRDS MAY PRODUCE TOO MANY OFFSPRING FOR THE
AREA TO SUPPORT. EVEN WORSE, AN OVERFLOWING BIRD FEEDER THAT ATTRACTS
rOO MANY BIRDS MAY BE A ^TRADING POST** OF DISEASES, SETTING OFF EPIDEMICS
AHONG BIRDS THAT NORMALLY KEEP A SAFE DISTANCE FROM EACH OTHER. SO I
MUST CAUTION PEOPLE WITH BACKYARD FEEDERS TO PUT OUT ONLY A HANDFUL OF
FEED EACH DAY.

Our desire to help can backfire in other ways. We find a little fox cub,

A FAWN, A BABLY RABBIT OR A FLEDGLING BIRD APPARENTLY ABANDONED BY ITS
PARENTS, SO WE LOVINGLY BRING IT HOME. YET THE LITTLE CREATURE WOULD BE
BETTER LEFT ALONE IF A PARENT IS HIDING NEARBY. EvEN AN INFANT BIRD MAY
BE FED ON THE GROUND BY ITS PARENTS AND THRIVE, PROVIDED NO CATS ARE A-
ROUNO. !f you’re concerned about SUCH AN ABANDONED ANIMAL AND FEEL IT
MEEDS HELP, CALL THE LOCAL HUMANE SOCIETY, ZOO OR STATE WILDLIFE DEPART-
MENT FOR ADVICE. Go BACK SEVERAL HOURS LATER TO SEE IF THE ANIMAL IS
OKAY AND TO MAKE SURE THE PARENT ISN’T AROUND. If NECESSARY, YOU MAY
THEN WANT TO TAKE IT HOME OR TO A WILDLIFE SANCTUARY.

In the COURSE OF MY RESEARCH OVER THE YEARS, f MYSELF HAVE KEPT WILD
ANIMALS, AND MY EXPERIENCES HAVE TAUGHT ME THAT THE PLACE FOR THEM IS

IN THE WILD. Rather than expending effort to keep such animals as pets,

WE SHOULD BE WORKING TO CONSERVE THEM IN THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT FOR
WHICH THEY ARE BEST ADAPTED AND FITTED,

Ed. NOTE! Because Keepers are often asked questions concerning

EXOTIC PETS WE FELT THIS ARTICLE WOULD BE HELPFUL IN REMINDING

Keepers of some of the problems involved with exotic pets,
(Reprinted from McCall’s December 1975> pp* * 6o & *27.)

FROM THE AKF STAFF

Have you no questions ? ? ...if not, the format for Or,

• • Patton's Nutrition Column will have

XO BE MODIFIED. ThIS COLUMN WAS INTENDED AS AN OPEN FORUM FOR ANIMAL
KEEPERS CONCERNED WITH THE NUTRITION OF WILD ANIMALS. TO DATE,
QUESTIONS RECEIVED FOR THE NUTRITION COLUMN HAVE BEEN EXCELLENT BUT
TOD FEW AND FAR BETWEEN. We FEEL THIS COLUMN IS REGARDED BY MANY
AS A VALUABLE FEATURE — IT WOULD BE UNFORTUNATE TO LOSE IT...

Please send questions for the Nutrition Column to the AKF Editors.

19

CAT TO HAVE CATARACT SURGERY

A RARE CAT UNDERWENT CATARACT SURGERY AT THE SAN DIEGO ZoO ©B SATURDAY,
January 17th,

A NINE-MONTH-OLD CHEETAH, SUFFERING FROM CATARACTS IN BOTH EYES, WAS
TREATED BY A TEAM OF VETERINARIANS AT THE SaN DIEGO ZoO HOSPITAL,

Dr, Kirk Gelatt, a veterinary ophthalmologist at the University of
Minnesota College of Veterinary Medicine in St, Paul, performed the sur-
gery, ASSISTED BY SEVERAL ZOO VETERINARIANS,

The CHEETAH IS AN UN-NAMED MALE WHICH WAS BORN AT THE SaN DIEGO W I LD

Animal Park last April. The cub was reared by its mother, and its cat-
aracts WERE not detected UNTIL A KEEPER NOTICED ITS VISION WAS POORER
THAN ITS LITTERMATES,

Dr, James Oosterhuis, veterinarian at the Zoo and Wild Animal Park,
said that There have been no reports of cataracts in cheetahs living
IN zoos.

Oosterhuis said that veterinary ophthalmology is a specialty which has

BEEN refined IN THE PAST DECADE, GELATT HAS DONE SIMILAR SURGERY IN
SEVERAL OTHER ZOOS, BUT NO CATARACT SURGERY HAS BEEN DONE AT THE SaN

Diego Zoo before.

PLEASE DO so NOWl A^^Y-
ONE WHO HAS NOT RENEWED

20

THE EAST AFRICAN WILD LIFE SOCIETY \H THE: UNITED STATES by Donald A. Rolla

For those interested in Society membership or information on specific con-
servation PROGRAMS THERE ARE SEVERAL LOCAL CHAPTERS IN THE UNITED STATES
WHICH WOULD BE GLAD TO BE OF ASSISTANCE.

Along with two dedicated ladies; Ms Denyse Kieronski and Ms. Margot

ShEESLEY, I AM PERSONALLY INVOLVED IN THE ORGANIZATION OF THE GREAT LAKES

Chapter which covers the states of Wisconsin, Indiana and Illinois. We

ARE currently ARRANGING OUR FIRST CHAPTER EVENT FOR MAY |6th, OuR ADDRESS i

iss East African Wild Life Society', Great Lakes Chapter, P.0, Box 2'J2,
Brookfield, ft 605I3»

Those in other parts of the country can write to Ke.ith Tucker, the chief

REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE SOCIETY AND HE CAN BE OF ASSISTANCE AND POSSIBLY

DIRECT YOU TO A LOCAL CHAPTER. Ke ITH CAN BE CONTACTED AT THE FOLLOWING '

ADDRESS? Mr. Keith Tucker, East African Wild Life Society, Chief Represent-
ative North America, P.O, Box 82002, San Diego, CA 92!38» I

My ASSOCIATION WITH THE AAZK THE LAST FEW YEARS HAS SHOWN ME JUST HOW DE- I
DICATED THE ZOO KEEPERS OF AMERICA ARE, JT !S THIS TYPE OF CONCERN AND
DEDICATION THAT EAST AFRICAN W I LD LiFE SOCIETY NEEDS IN AMERICA SO THAT i
THRU OUR LOCAL CHAPTERS WE CAN HELP EDUCATE THE GENERAL PUBLIC ON THE j

NECESSITY OF SUPPORTING THE CONSERVATION OF EaST AFRICAN WiLD LIFE. WE ]

HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO IN OVERCOMING IGNORANCE AND APATHY IN BOTH EAST

Africa and the United States. The sooner we join forces in this common ■

GOAL, THE SOONER THE ANIMALS OF CAST AFRICA WILL BENEFIT IN THE WILD AND
IN THE^R CAPTIVE STATE,

Both Keith and I look forward to hearing from you. i

CONFERENCE ON DISTRESSED WgLDLIFE

Is TO BE HELD ON WEDNESDAY, 3 MARCH AT THE TaCKAPAUSHA MuSEUM

and Preserve, Seaford, New York. The conference, sponsored by the
Nassau County Department of Recreation and Parks runs from 8:30
TO 5*30 P.M.. The sponsors have extended an invitation to zoo
personnel. Write for information to Coordinator, Conference on
Distressed Wildlife, Tackapausha Museum and Preserve, Seaford, New
York 11783,

21

RED-THIGHED FALCONET INFORMAT (ON by James J. Perry, Buffalo, N.Y.
Approximately one year ago, the Buffalo Zoo’s two Red-thighed Falconets,

MICROHIERAX CAERULESCENS 5 WHICH WERE AT LEAST 6 YEARS OLD, WERE MOVED
INTO A RENOVATED EXHIBIT. SOON AFTER, 3 EGGS WERE LAID OVER A PERIOD
OF 3 WEEKS. The eggs were not PROPERLY BROODED AND ONE WAS ARTIFICIALLY
INCUBATED WITH NO SIGNS OF FERTILITY. UNFORTUNATELY, ONE OF THE FAL-
CONETS DIED SHORTLY AFTER THE EGGS WERE LAID.

In my EFFORTS TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THESE SMALL BUT VERY INTERESTING
BIRDS OF PREY, 1 RECEIVED A COMMUNICATION FROM CHRISTIAN R. SCHMIDT,

Zoological Asst., at the Zurich Zoo. I'd like to share this informa-
tion WITH ANY WHO ARE INTERESTED, OTHER EUROPEAN ZoOS WITH SPECIMENS
ARE THE Frankfurt and Heidelberg Zoos in Germany. The Zurich Zoo has
3.5 specimens and a student is currently starting a research project
ON THE Falconets. As Mr. Schmidt says, "Sexing the Falconets is quite

EASY, since they SHOW REMARKABLE SHE DIFFERENCES; MALES ARE MUCH SMALLER,
WEIGHING ONLY 32-37 GRAMS, FEMALES WEIGHING 46-55 GRAMS (RECORDED FROM
4 MALES AND 5 FEMALES).” T HE BUFFALO Zoo’S SPECIMEN WEIGHED 5® GRAMS
FALLING NICELY WITHIN THE WEIGHT RANGE OF THE FEMALES.

1 WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT OTHER NORTH AmER I CAN ZoOS HAVE SPECIMENS OF

Red-thighed Falconets; what their longevity in captivity is; and ex-
change INFORMATION ON DIETS AND NESTING FACILITIES WITH ANYONE ELSE
WHO HAS HAD EXPERIENCE WITH THIS SPECIES, MY GOAL IS TO FIND A MATE
FOR OUR SPECIMEN, EITHER FOR HERE OR AT ANOTHER ZOO. WRITE TOS JAMES

J. Perry, Buffalo Zoological Gardens, Buffalo, N.Y, |42|4.

BLACKBUCK EXODUS by Mary Jo Bowers

San Antonio Zoo, in co-operation with the World Wildlife Fund, parti-
cipated along with several Texas exotic game ranchers in shipping three

MALE and seven FEMALE BLACKBUCK TO PAKISTAN TO BE USED AS A BREEDING
NUCLEUS FOR ANIMALS TO BE RELEASED IN LAL SuHNRA SaNCTUARY. T HE

World Wildlife Fund and the Pakistani government were determined to re-
introduce the BLACKBUCK IN ITS NATIVE RANGE WHERE IT HAD BECOME ALMOST
extinct; and since there are now more BLACKBUCK IN TEXAS THAN IN
Pakistan, this was the place to start.

In the last few years our blackbuck have been producing young to such
an extent that we DECIDED TO REDUCE OUR GROUP SO THAT THE ANIMALS WILL
HAVE A BIT MORE SPACE IN THEIR EXHIBIT.

From "San Antonio’s News From The Zoo" vol. I Nov. 6,

Nov. - Dec. 1975

22

LUCOLN PARK ZOO ANNOUNCES PROMOTIONS

Dennis A, Meritt Jr,, 27IO N, Ewing Av,, Evanston, has been named

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO, MERITT SUCCEEDS SAUL KITCHENER,

WHO LEFT Lincoln Park last month to become the director of the San
Francisco Zoo,

Mark A, Rosenthal, 3^7 W. Menomonee St,, has been promoted to curator
OF mammals, Metitt's previous position, Rosenthal had been an associate

CURATOR .

Meritt joined Lincoln Park Zoo in 19^7 a zoologist. He became a

CURATOR A YEAR LATER, MERITT GRADUATED FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
IN 1967. He has also ATTENDED DePaUL UNIVERSITY AND NORTHEASTERN

Illinois University,

Before joining Lincoln Park Zoo, Meritt worked as a research assistant
at the University of Rochester School of Medicine and at Rochester Gen-
eral Hospital, He has authored more than 20 zoological publications.

Rosenthal is a 1968 graduate of Southern Illinois University in Carbon-
dale, He also has a master's degree from Northeastern Illinois Univer-

S ITY,

Rosenthal has worked at Lincoln Park Zoo as a Children's Zoo attendant

AND an animal KEEPER BEFORE BECOMING AN ASSOCIATE CURATOR.

He was a laboratory TECH^3tCiAN AT SOUTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY’S
Zoology Department before joining the zoo.

CONSERVAT ION

Second District Congressman William Whitehurst (R-Va) has charged the
Interior Department with a blatant breach of faith in participating in
the slaughter of wolves in Alaska, He has asked the House Subcommittee j
ON Public Lands to delay action on his legislation giving greater power
TO THE Interior Department regarding the care of animals. The action
follows an Interior Department admission that it had helped f inance an j
Alaskan project in which all wolves are to be killed in wild areas that
cover thousands of square miles. The project is reportedly being un- !
ertaken to increase the number of moose for hunters to kill. The Interior'
Department had previously issued repeated denials that Federal money was

BEING USED IN THE PROGRAM.

23

ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM PtNANCiAL Statement - 4th Quarter 1975

BY JUDIE STEENBERG

CASH ON HAND 30 September I 975

$3oo;3i

INCO^€:

AAZK memberships (I9 @ $2,50) $

47.50

Donat ions : to AKF

2.00

TO Journal, "THE KEEPER"

250.00

Fund-raiser for "THE KEEPER"

112.91

$ TTOT

$4i2.4i

TOTAL INCOME

EXPENSES

1782.72

Printing supplies |

35»50

Postages miscellaneous{corres, ret’o AKF’s)

21.00

1st Class Canada, foreign, pkgs.

3? -97

bulk deposit Oct. -Dec.

104.90

Office Supplies

J-P

Telephone expenses

4.42

Logo-prep/AKF poster

17.18

Fund-raiser costs

37.80

Journal: "THE KEEPER" costs:

Typewriter rental

85-53

Typist, final copy

35.00

Photo- PREP for cover

2.59

Petty Cash

19^7

Service charges, check charges

-JLSk

TOTAL EXPENSES $

339 •‘ti

-i3.3Ml

CASH ON HAND 30 December I 975

fe't3.'3!

Allocated to "THE KEEPER" printing costs

g7'-99

Operating capital 30 December 1975

$101.32

Deadline for the March issue of AKF is 20 Feb. ’J6

24

ANIHAL KEEPERS’ FORUM FINANCIAL STAT£,v£hrr 1975

(Quarterly iTEMfZEO statements appeared in the Hay, Auq.^ and Nov.

ISSUES OF AlCF.)

Cash on Hand 30 December 197^

Income for S9T5 (membersh§ps/subscr!pt ions^

DONAT SONS, FUND-RAISER, LOAN
FOR STENCIL CUTTER )

$ 305*29

$ 2,

Al

.70

EXPENSES

Refunds (AKF/AAZK duplications)

it'RiNTING SUPPLIES &. MACHINE USE

Postage

Office Supplies
Telephone expense
Logo- PREP. AKF poster
Journal fund-raiser expense
Journal preparation expense
Petty cash
Bank charges
£qu5PMEF5T purchasss

$ 8o«oo

*‘37.55

593.11

45.25
4.42
17,58
37.80
53. la
19.47
„ 3.76
817.63

$2, 109,39

i 2,109.39

Cash on Hand 3D December 1975

Allocated to printing ®T.he Keeper”

I 373-32

I 101,32

Outstanding debt? Loan from Topeka Friends

OF THE Zoo FOR THE STENCIL

CUTTER $ -400.00

I »298,68

FCrC FROM THE KEEPER OF THE BOOKS?

As THE AKF BOOKS ARE CLOSED FOR 5975^* tET*S REFLECT ON OUR FIRST FULL
YEAR OF OPERATION. EVERY EFFORT WAS MADE BY THE AKF STAFF TO CAREFULLY
EXPEND THE FUNDS ENTRUSTED TO THEM TO PRODUCE A MONTHLY PUBLICATION.

Emphasis was on providing the best newsletter possible while staying

WITHIN AKF’S FINANCIAL LIMIT. ThE LOAN FROM TOPEKA pRlENDS OF THE ZOO
!S NOT DUE UNTIL MARCH AND THERE ARE NO OTHER OUTSTANDING DEBTS. TkE
OBJECTIVE WAS ACCOMPL I SHED . (cONT’d)

25

Although AKF has the loan from Topeka Friends of the Zoo to repay,

THE postal rates AND THE COST OF SUPPLIES HAVE INCREASED, THE AKF STAFF
FELT IT WAS NOT NECESSARY TO INCREASE THE COST TO YOU THIS YEAR.

Your support is of utmost importance to the continued success of AAZK/
AKF, The AAZK/AKF Staff intends to give total effort towards a

SUCCESSFUL RENEW NCW and do your part to recruit new

MEMBERS. We cannot DO IT WtTHOUT YOUR HELP. ThANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT
IN 1975# YOU HELPED MAKE IT HAPPEN*.

-JJ- -M- *** AAZK '76 Conference •Sf * * * ■«■ 'X'

Will be held in San Diego, California from August 23 - 27. Conference
Headquarters will be the Sheraton Airport Inn on Shel Harbor Island in
DOWNTOWN San Diego. The registration of person will include

BANQUET, COCKTAIL RECEPTION, LUNCHEONS, ETC..

The room rates are as follows; singles - $21.00, twin or double -
$26.00, SUITES - $75*00 (the rates do not include room tax),

Mike Dee and Steve Taylor will be handling the conference program.

Material for the program should be sent to Mike at I|4| Western Ave.,
Glendale, CA ^\20\ .

THOSE WISH1NK5 TO PRESE^^■ PAPERS, SLIDES OR FILMS SHOULD SEND
INFORMATION ON THE TITLE, SUBJECT OF MATERIAL AND EQUIPfCNT
REQUIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MIKE.

Those who desire to incorporate a family vacation into the conference
TRIP should be reminded THAT THE HOTEL DOES NOT ALLOW CAMPING OR OVER-
NIGHT PARKING IN THEIR PARKING LOT. T HE ADDRESSES OF TWO CA'MPING
GROUNDS LOCATED NEAR THE HOTEL ARE: MISSION BaY CaMPLAND, 2211 PACIFIC

Beach Dr., San Diego, CA 92105 and K.O.A., San Diego Metropolitan,

3601 Edgemere, San Diego, CA 920IO.

THE KEEPER IS OUT’.'.*.

If you HAVE not yet RECEIVED YOUR COPY OF THE KEEf^R Volume I, 1975, it is
IN THE mail. The journal has been mailed TO ALL 1975 AAZK members and AKF

SUBSCRIBERS. NEW MEMBERS FOR I976 MAY ORDER A COPY OF THE 1975 JOURNAL BY

sending $5,00 to: AAZK Journal, 635 Blvd., Topeka, Ks, 06606. (make
CHECKS payable to: Animal Keepers' Forum),

26

AFRICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 3

MARCH 1976

ANIMAL

KEEPERS'

FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

”'Animal Keepers’ Forum*’ is a non-profit monthly publication distributed

TO PROFESSIONAL ZOO KEEPERS INDEPENDENTLY AND BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

OF Zoo Keepers as a service to its members, "Animal Keepers’ Forum"

INCLUDES NEWS AND OFFICAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF

Zoo Keepers,

AAZK Board of Directors s

Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks,, Executive Secretary

®Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca,

Bela De meter, Washington, D,C.

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta Canada
Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma,

Pat Sass, Chicago, Jl,

ANIMAL KEEPERS*' FORUM Publication Staff; Topeka, Ks.

Jane Kaufman Vicky LaRue

Ron Kaufman Linda Rounds

Chris LaRue Juoie Steenberg

Rick Steenberg

Articles in this newsletter may be reprinted with the permission of

THE AUTHOR, CREDIT TO THIS PUBLICATION IS REQUESTED,

THE VIEWS Of THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE VIEW OF
THE AKF STAFF.

-

Send news items and articles for publication to;

AKF Editors / 635 Oage Blvd. / Topeka, Ks. 66606

Questions for Dr, Patton’s nutrition column should
BE SENT TO THE AKF EDITORS.

For information concerning membership in the American Association
OF Zoo Keepers write to; AAZK National Headquarters/ 635 Oage Blvd.
Topeka, Ks. 66606

BREAKTHROUGH IN THE BIRD HOUSE from Philadelphia Zoo

Head Keeper of erRos^ Ralph Horn, has devised a new and exciting

PROCEDURE FOR REPLACING LOST OR DAMAGED BIRD BILLS, ALTHOUGH IT IS TOO
EARLY TO DETERMINE THE EXTENT OF THE PROJECT’S SUCCESS, THE SIGNS ARE
ENCOURAGING. T HE PROJECT BEGAN EARLY IN DECEMBER WHEN RaLPH RECEIVED A
CALL FROM Dr . MiTCHELL BuSH ON THE VETERINARY STAFF OF THE NATIONAL

Zoo. Dr, Bush had heard of Ralph's success in constructing aw arti-
ficial MALLARD DUCK MANDIBLE AND ASKED HIM TO TRY HIS LUCK WITH A DIS-
FIGURED WH 1 TE-CRESTED GUAN. The guan had lost half of its lower bill
THROUGH AN INJURY, RALPH AGREED, RECEIVED THE BIRD SHORTLY THEREAFTER,
AND proceeded TO CONSTRUCT A HAND-CARVED PLASTIC LOWER MANDIBLE, T HE
BILL WAS FITTED ON JANUARY 5 AND 5 «>AYS LATER THE BIRD BEGAN TO PREEN
AND EAT BY ITSELF, WHICH IT COULD NOT DO PREVIOUSLY, If THE MAN-MADE
BILLS PROVE TO BE ENDURING, THEY WILL PERMIT THE SURVIVAL OF BIRDS
WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PERISH,

SIMULATED FEEDING DEVICE Brookfield Zoo

Brookfield Zoo initiates another behavioral exhibit with the installa- -

TION OF A SIMULATED ReD DEER IN THE SIBERIAN TIGER GROTTO,

The project, to be completed in late March, is planned to give the zoo-
goer A GLIMPSE OF NATURAL FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE SIBERIAN TIGER, T HE
SEVEN FOOT LONG DEER FORM IS MADE OF HIGH DENSITY CONCRETE AND WEIGHS

1000 POUNDS. The deer will be wired so that a strong tug on its leg or

RIB WILL OCCASIONALLY TRIGGER A FEEDING DEVICE, A SMALL PORTION OF MEAT
WILL THEN BE AVAILABLE FOR THE TIGERS, BROOKFIELD ZOO HOPES THIS
EXHIBIT WILL PROVIDE THE VISITOR WITH NOT ONLY MORE OPPORT UN I T I ES TO SEE
THE FEEDING BEHAVIOR, BUT-MORE I MPORTANTLY-A FEEDING BEHAVIOR MORE
AUTHENTIC THAN THAT EXHIBITED BY CATS HANDED THEIR FOOD ONCE A DAY BY A
KEEPER.

Mike Dee from Los Angeles (he's always looking
FOR freebies) writes TO TELL US OF A FREE BOOK
ENTITLED T HE ECOLOGY OF THE COYOTE IN YELLOW-
STONE . Wr I tten by Adolph M you can get

IT FROM Chief Scientist, National Park Service
Science Center, National Space Technology Lab-
oratories, Bay St. Louis, Mississippi 395^0.

27

AM__SDITORIAL COMI«IT by Chris LaRus, Topeka goological

Park, Topeka, Ks.

One of the major goals of AAZK and this newsletter ss to promote

PROFESSIONALISM IN ANIMAL KEEPERS, UNFORTUNATELY, KEEPERS DO NOT
BELONG TO A RECOGNIZED PROFESSION AND, IN FACT, MANY KEEPERS ARE NOT
PROFESSIONAL. ZOO KEEPING IS A RESPONSIBLE AND REWARDING OCCUPATION
IF IT IS TREATED AS A CAREER AND-NOT JUST A JOB. A PROFESSIONAL
ATTITUDE CAN GIVE KEEPERS THE KIND OF FULFILLMENT THAT MERELY CLEANING
CAGES WILL NEVER GIVE THEM.

What then is a professional attitude? Insuring that your animals

RECEIVE the best CARE POSSIBLE SHOULD BE THE MOST OBVIOUS ANSWER.

This may be difficult to achieve with limited resources and knowledge
but it IS the effort that SEPERATES the PROFESSIONAL FROM THE NON-
PROFESSIONAL. No ONE CAN MAKE YOU A PROFESSIONAL. T HE QUALITY OF
YOUR WORK, YOUR CONCERN FOR YOUR ANIMALS AND YOUR ZOO, AND YOUR
ATTITUDE TOWARD YOUR JOB WILL DETERMINE YOUR PROFESSIONALISM OR LACK'
THEREOF .

TiO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL, KEEPERS MUST BEGIN BY TAKING A SINCERE
INTEREST IN THE EXPERT CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS, ThIS REQUIRES EDUCATION,
BOTH FORMAL AND INFORMAL, LEARNING MORE ABOUT HIS OR HER ANIMALS IS
ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT OBLIGATIONS OF A KEEPER. If YOU CANNOT FIND
THE MOTIVATION TO INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF THE ^'NIMALS YOU CARE FOR,
YOU WILL NEVER BECOME A PROFESSIONAL,

Zoos MUST ALSO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN ENCOURAGING PROFESSIONALISM
IN THEIR KEEPER STAFF, ZOO PERSONNEL REQUIRE TECHNICAL TRAINING AS
DO OTHER PROFESSIONALS, !f ZOOS ARE SERIOUS ABOUT OPERATING AS
RESPECTED EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS THEY MUST STRIVE TO MAINTAIN AN
EDUCATED STAFF FROM DIRECTOR TO KEEPERS.

It is THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE ZOO ADMINISTRATION TO INSURE THAT THEIR
STAFF IS THE BEST POSSIBLE. ThIS CAN BEST BE ACHIEVED BY SETTING
STANDARDS THAT ARE RIGOROUSLY ENFORCED, NOT ONLY MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
FOR HIRING BUT, MORE IMPORTANTLY, STRICT STANDARDS OF PERFORMANCE,

Zoo KEEPING AS A PROFESSION CAN THEN BE IMPROVED BY NATURAL SELECTION
THROUGH COMPETITION, T HE ZOO AND THE ANIMALS WILL BENEFIT FROM THESE
EFFORTS,

28

American Association of Zoo Keepers
635 Gage Boulevard
Topeka, Kansas 66606

FOURTH QUARTER TREASURER’S REPORT, AAZK

Such as it is, here is a breakdown of our income and expenditures for

THE FOURTH QUARTER OF !975> OF 38 DECEMBER, 8975*

ITEM

CREDIT

DEBIT

Dues and Donations received

Refunds, prorated memberships

$!3‘t9.55

88*75

Postage

56*59

Misc. office supplies

5-93

Animal Keepers' Forum account

577.50

Telephone report from election referee

7.77

31 December, 1975
Cash Assets

The future looks great* Renewals and new memberships are rolling in
AND our treasury LOOKS NOTHING BUT ROSEY FOR 897^* ThANKS TO ALL OF
YOU FOR YOUR PATIENCE THIS PAST YEAR AND FOR YOUR FAITH IN THE FUTURE

R fCK Steenber^ /

Executive Secretary
AAZK Headquarters

29

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS by Dr, Stuart Porter® Gladys

Porter Zoo* Brownsville* Tx.

The purpose of this article is to give the people who work with

ANIMALS AN APPRECIATION OF DISEASE, ITS CAUSES, AND HOW WE ATTEMPT
TO CURE AND CONTROL IT. VERY LITTLE IS SIMPLE IN MEDICINE AND
OFTEN, RATHER THAN ANSWER WHAT SEEMS TO THE ASKER A SIMPLE QUESTION,
THE MEDICAL MAN GIVES AN ABRUPT YES, NO, OR NO ANSWER AT ALL,

Hopefully, this paper, although very general, will answer a few

QUESTIONS ABOUT BACTERIAL DISEASES.

Bacteria are microscopic one-celled organisms which exist everywhere.
There are many different types of bacteria; some are harmless, and

SOME CAUSE DISEASE ONLY UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES. iHERg ARE
BACTERIA WHICH PRODUCE DISEASE IN PLANTS AND THOSE WHICH PRODUCE
DISEASE IN ONE CERTAIN SPECIES, WHILE OTHERS PRODUCE DISEASE IN ALL
ANIMALS.

Bacteria cause disease in several wavs. They can invade cells and

CAUSE THEIR DESTRUCTION BY DIVIDING UNTIL THE CELL BURSTS, RELEASING
BACTERIA TO INVADE OTHER CELLS. SOME BACTERIA PRODUCE CHEMICAL PRO-
DUCTS WHICH MAY CAUSE PARALYSIS OR OTHER EFFECTS. SOME BACTERIA
MERELY FORM FIRM SV/ELLINGS CONTAINING PUS - CALLED ABCESSES .

Bacteria are spread in many ways. Once in an animal they can be

SPREAD THROUGH THE BLOOD TO THE VARIOUS ORGANS OR THEY CAN MIGRATE
THROUGH THE TISSUES, ThEY CAN ALSO SPREAD FROM ANIMAL TO ANIMAL IN
SEVERAL WAYS, BUT ALMOST ALV/AYS THERE HAS TO BE DIRECT CONTACT BETWEEN
THE BACTERIA AND THE NEW HOST. An ANIMAL WITH A BACTERIAL DIARRHEA
SPREADS BACTERIA THROUGH ITS FECES. An ANIMAL WITH A BACTERIAL
RESPIRATORY PROBLEM SPREADS BACTERIA THROUGH DISCHARGES FROM ITS NOSE
AND THE SPUTUM IT COUGHS UP. An ANIMAL WITH A BACTERIAL KIDNEY OR
BLADDER INFECTION SPREADS BACTERIA THROUGH ITS URINE. SOME BACTERIA
ARE CAPABLE OF BEING SHED FROM ALL THE BODY OPENINGS.

Some bacteria are very stable once outside the host and are capable of

SURVIVING for LONG PERIODS BY FORMING A RESTING STAGE CALLED A SPORE.

Bacterial spores are resistant to heat, drying, and disinfectants. Of
course, many bacteria are killed by heat, drying, and disinfectants.

30

What can we do against a bacterial infection? Diagnosis is very
fMPORTANT. There are very few diseases that have classical signs

THAT SUGGEST A BACTERIAL CAUSE, Jt IS POSSIBLE TO MAKE A SPECIFIC
DIAGNOSIS OF BACTERIAL INFECTION BY CULTURING THE BACTERIA IN AN
ARTIFICIAL MEDIUM, IT IS THEN POSSIBLE TO IDENTIFY THE BACTERIA AND
TO TEST WHICH ANTIBIOTICS WILL DESTROY IT. BLOOD TESTS AND CLINICAL
SIGNS MAY ALSO AID IN THE DIAGNOSIS, SiNCE CULTURING TAKES SEVERAL
DAYS, MANY VETERINARIANS MAY BEGIN TREATMENT AT THE ONSET OF SYMPTOMS
AND THEN CHANGE THE TREATMENT ACCORDING TO THE CULTURE AND SENSITIVITY
RESULTS. AnTIBJOTICS ARE USED TO TREAT ANIMALS WITH BACTERIAL INFEC-
TIONS. There are many different kinds of antibiotics, some are very

SPECIFIC AND OTHERS ARE BROAD SPECTRUM, EFFECTIVE AGAINST MANY KINDS
OF BACTERIA. In ADDITION, BACTERIA HAVE THE ABILITY TO BECOME RESIS-
TANT TO AN ANTIBIOTIC. FEW ANTIBIOTICS CAN BE GIVEN ONLY ONCE A DAY.

Most are given several times a day and it is very important that the

INTERVALS BETWEEN ADMINISTRATION ARE EVENLY SPACED BECAUSE THE PUR-
POSE IS TO KEEP THE BLOOD AND TISSUE LEVELS OF THE ANTIBIOTIC HIGH
ENOUGH TO KILL THE BACTERIA, {t IS ALSO IMPORTANT TO KEEP THE TREAT-
MENT UP LONG ENOUGH. ThIS IS WHY A VETERINARIAN MAY CONTINUE TO TREAT
AN ANIMAL THAT APPEARS TO HAVE RECOVERED,

Isolation of the diseased animal may be indicated. If isolation is to

BE SUCCESSFUL, CAREFUL ATTENTION MUST BE PAID TO DETAIL. DISINFECTION
IS THE CHEMICAL DESTRUCTION OF DISEASE CAUSING ORGANISMS. FOR DES-
TRUCTION THERE MUST BE CONTACT, THUS CLEANING MUST PRECEDE DISINFEC-
TION. There are numerous disinfectants available. The keeper must

REMEMBER TO WASH HIS HANDS AND BOOTS EVERY TIME HE COMES IN CONTACT
WITH THE SICK ANIMAL.

As { SAID EARLIER, THERE ARE MANY TYPES OF BACTERIA THAT PRODUCE
DISEASE IN MANY ANIMALS INCLUDING MAN, CROSS- 1 NFECT I ON CAN OCCUR
BETWEEN MAN AND ANIMALS. SOME EXAMPLES OF SUCH BACTERIAL DISEASES
ARE TUBERCULOSIS, ANTHRAX, SALMONELLOSIS, SHIGELLOSIS, ORNITHOSIS,
BRUCELLOSIS, AND ERYSIPELIS. !n ADDITION, PRIMATES ARE SUSCEPTIBLE
TO MANY OTHER HUMAN BACTERIAL DISEASES - SO, PRIMATE KEEPERS MUST BE
VERY CAREFUL. SOME BACTERIAL DISEASES LIKE TETANUS AND BOTULISM ARE
CAUSED BY BACTERIAL TOXINS AND ARE NOT CONTAGIOUS ALTHOUGH MANY
ANIMALS ARE SUSCEPTIBLE TO THEM.

31

The best way to combat bacterial diseases is to prevent them from

OCCURRING BY KEEPING THE ANIMALS WELL FED AND THEIR ENVIRONMENTS
CLEAN, St is the people who take care Or .the AN I MALS WHO
ARE THE FIRST DEFENCE IN PREVENTING BACTERIAL DISEASES.

ANIMA.L NUTRITION "by Dr, Richard S, Patton ? Director of

Professional Educations, Mark Morris
& Associates, Topeka, Ks.

This is a story about one of those days. T was using a broken-

HANDLEO hatchet TO CHOP A HOLE IN THE ICE OF THE POLAR BEAR'S WATER
TANK. At zero degrees THE SPLASHING WATER AND ICE FROZE QUICKLY TO
THE STEEL HATCHET (aS WELL AS MY FACE AND HANDs). AfTSR A FEW HALF-
HEARTED CHOPS, MY NUMB ARM RAISED MORE EASILY AND I DISCOVERED IT WAS
BECAUSE THE HATCHET HAD SLIPPED FROM MY GRASP AND INTO THE TANK,

Shedding coat, hat^ gloves and composure, I rolled up my sleeve and

PLUNGED MY HAND THROUGH THE HOLE IN THE ICE AFTER THE MISSING HATCHET,
Of course, THE HATCHET WAS ONE-HALF INCH DEEPER THAN I COULD ROLL UP
MY SLEEVE, BUT THAT DIDN'T MATTER. I IMMEDIATELY LOST MY FOOTING ON
THE ICE AROUND THE TANK AND MERRILY SPLASHED IN UP TO MY ARMPIT, WITH
ALL SELF-CONTROL NOW VANISHED, MY MAIN THOUGHT WAS THAT IF I WAS GOING
TO GET MY SLEEVE WET, WHY THE HELL DID S BOTHER TO ROLL IT UP? SuCH
WAS MY LOGIC AT THIS POINT,

Well, the coat ! had quickly shed to retrieve the hatchet was flung

JUST A little too CLOSE TO THE EXHIBIT BARS AND NANUK LOST NO TIME,

NO TIME AT ALL, RELOCATING SAID COAT INSIDE THE EXHIBIT BARS. i WOn’T
WASTE TIME DESCRIBING THE FATE OF MY COAT (iT WAS ROUGHLY AKIN TO THAT

OF A BOX OF Kleenex run over by a lawn mower), but { can comment that

POLAR BEARS DO NOT SEEM TO DIGEST DaCRON, DESPITE A PRONOUNCED AFFINITY
FOR EATING IT, I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IT TAKES ABOUT A DAY TO A DAY
AND A HALF FOR INGESTED DaCRON TO TRAVEL FROM ONE END OF A BEAR TO THE
OTHER. iT WAS A DAY AND A HALF LATER WHEN SHREDS OF DaCRON CLEVERLY
HIDING IN BEAR FECES, PLUGGED THE DRAIN AND FLOODED THE UNIT. I HAD
ACCIDENTALLY REDISCOVERED THE TECHNIQUE OF *'mARKERS** USED IN NUTRITION
RESEARCH TO DETERMINE RATE OF PASSAGE.

32

Anyway, there f was, cold and feeling no love for any bear anywhere.
The hatchet was still where t had dropped it, I had little trouble

RATIONALIZING THAT IT COULD RUST THERE FOREVER AND SERVE AS AN EXCEL-
LENT SOURCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL IRON FOR THOSE CHARMING BEARS. (l OIDn't
FEEL QUITE SO COLD AS I THOUGHT MAYBE ONE OF THEM MIGHT EVEN CUT IT-
SELF ON THAT RUSTY HATCHET AND DIE OF LOCKJAW.)

Changing the subject somewhat, iron dioxide, that which would form

ON THE HATCHET, WOULD NOT BE THE BEST SOURCE OF SUPPLEMENTAL IRON.

The FORM TO use would be ferrous sulfate. It has a high biologic

AVAILABILITY (l.E., A HIGH PERCENTAGE, PERHAPS OF THAT WHICH

GETS INTO THE GUT IS TAKEN INTO THE BODy) BUT IS NOT THE FORM INCLUDED
IN PREPARED FORMULAS BY MOST MANUFACTURERS. T HE REASON FOR THIS IS
THAT IN PROCESSING OF CANNED FOODS, FERROUS SULFATE REACTS WITH OTHER
INGREDIENTS AND INSOLUBLE FORMS OF IRON ARE CREATED. So, A LESS
AVAILABLE BUT MORE STABLE FORM, IRON CARBONATE, IS COMMONLY USED.

PEREGRINE RESTORATION CONTINUES "Outdoor News Bulletin”
A GROUP OF Cornell University ornithologists, aided' by state, federal,

AND PRIVATE SUPPORT, ARE MAKING ENCOURAGING PROGRESS RESTORING THE
ENDANGERED PEREGRINE FALCON I N T HE WILD, ACCORDING TO THE WILDLIFE

Management Institute,

Since 1973 Peregrine Fund has raised 68 peregrines from captive
PARENTS. Last summer, 1.6 young peregrines were released in five

EASTERN AREAS WITH REMARKABLE SUCCESS SO FAR. T HE GROUP HAS EXPANDED
OPERATIONS TO THE WEST, SEVERAL PRAIRIE FALCONS HAVE BEEN RELEASED

IN Colorado and the western sub-species of peregrine is being pro-
duced FOR future releases.

The Peregrine Fund is an example of scientific management restoring
A valuable segment OF AMERICAN WILDLIFE. T AX-DEDUCT 1 8LE CONTRIBUTIONS
TO the PROJECT may BE SENT TO T HE PEREGRINE FuND, 159 SaPSUCKER WOODS

Road, Ithaca, N.Y. 14853*

33

KEEPERS AND COMMUNICATION by Judie Steenberg, Topeka Zoolo-
gical Park, Topeka, Ks.

Have you ever given serious thought to your role as a communicator? As
A Keeper, you are the link between the care of the animals in your area

AND THE REST OF YOUR Zoo’S OPERATION, EITHER DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY.

There are several organizational structures in zoos as well as levels

OF ANIMAL KEEPING BUT THE KEY TO GOOD ZOO OPERATION IS THE ABILITY OF
STS PERSONNEL TO INTERACT AND COMMUNICATE.

Communication is the center of human actions. To communicate is: to

IMPART, MAKE KNOWN, TELL, TRANSMIT. WE COMMUNICATE WITH SPOKEN AND
WRITTEN WORDS, THROUGH OUR ACT I ONS AND ATTITUDES, OUR DRESS AND GESTURES.

The most basic and direct form of communication is "talk”. We talk at,

TO, OVER, ACROSS, DOWN, UP, PAST, AND THE MOST DIFFICULT (yET EFFECTIVE)
FORM. , .WITH. . .PEOPLE .

It is IRONIC THAT SOMETHING SO MUCH A PART OF OUR LIVES CAN BE A MOST
DIFFICULT PROBLEM, OFTEN IN OUR WORK. NEWSPAPER COLUMNIST SYDNEY J.

Harris said "it is far easier to run your occupation or profession in

A TECHNICAL SENSE THAN TO DEAL WITH ALL THE ’PEOPLE PROBLEMS*.'* It
IS NOT AN EASY TASK TO REALLY COMMUNICATE AND FOR SOME PEOPLE IT MAY
TAKE EXTREME EFFORT,

Communication is often confused with information, which is also import-
ant - BUT DIFFERENT. INFORMATION CAN BE GIVEN WITH NO EXCHANGE OR
SHARING OF IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES. ANOTHER EXPLANATION ISJ MERE INFOR-
MATION IS TELLING PEOPLE WHAT YOU FEEL THEY SHOULD KNOW; REAL COMMUNI-
CATION IS TELLING OTHERS WHAT THEY NEED TO KNOW TO DO THEIR WORK WELL.

Communication is a personal and vital thing and cannot be ignored. It

IS A PART OF all WE DO. IDEAS AND EXPERIENCES BECOME MEANINGFUL WHEN
THEY ARE TRANSMITTED TO OTHERS, SINCE COMMUNICATION IS INEVITABLE (tO
DO NOTHING IS STILL COMMUNICATING) HOW DO WE DEAL WITH IT? HOW CAN WE
BECOME BETTER COMMUNICATORS?

Experts in the field of communication have given us guide-lines for
GOOD communication. They are designed to aid in improving communication
skills, (con’t next page)

3^

1. Clarify your ideas before communicating - analyze the idea or pROBi-

LEM, CONSIDER GOALS AND ATTITUDES (yOUR’S AND RECIPIENT'S), DON’T
FAIL BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE PLANNING.

2. What is the true purpose of the communication? » What do you want

TO ACC0MP5.ISH, identify GOALS AND ADAPT YOUR LANGUAGE, TONE AND
TOTAL APPROACH TO A SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE - DON'T TRY TO ACCOMPLISH
TOO MUCH.

3. Consider the total physical and human setting whenever you com-
municate - impact of COMMUNICATION IS AFFECTED BY MANY FACTORS^
TIMING, SETTING (PRIVATE OR SOCIAL), PAST PROCEDURES.

4. Consult with others, where appropriate, in planning communications,

SEEK PAR*’ 1C I pat I ON AND CONSULTATION TO LEND INSIGHT AND OBJECTIVITY,

5. Be MINDFUL OF THE OVERTONES AS WELL AS THE BASIC CONTENT OF YOUR
MESSAGE - TONE OF VOICE, EXPRESSIONS, YOUR RECEPTIVENESS TO THE
RESPONSE OF OTHERS, ALL HAVE GREAT IMPACT.

6. Take the opportunity to convey something of help or value to the

LISTENER - CONSIDER THE OTHER PERSONS INTERESTS AND NEEDS, SEE HtS
point of VIEW.

7. Follow up communications - find out how well you put your message
ACROSS, get feedback.

8. Communicate for tomorrow as well as today - plan with the past in
MIND, but be consistent WITH LONG RANGE INTERESTS AND GOALS,

9. Be SURE YOUR ACTIONS SUPPORT COMMUNICATIONS - MOST PERSUASIVE
communication is not what you SAY BUT WHAT YOU DO,

10. Be a good listener - understand as well as being understood, tune
IN to others.

Now THAT WE HAVE ADDRESSED THE QUESTIONS OF WHAT COMMUNICATION IS AND
HAVE GUIDE-LINES ON HOW TO ACCOMPLISH {T| THE WHEN, WHERE, AND WHY
SHOULD BE considered, In THE NEXT ISSUE OP AKF WE'LL COVER ” In-HOUSE
COMMUNICAT ions” .

35

The F0LL0W5NG PUBLICAKONS ON ANIMAL CARE ARE AVAILABLE FROM THE U.So

Dept» op Agriculture. Write United States Department of Agriculture,
Agricultural Marketing Service, Information Division, H 00 Commerce
Street, Rm. Dallas, Texas 75202.

Regulations under the Animal Welfare Act of I970» • ‘tle 9> Animals
AND Animal Products, Chap. I, Subchapter A — Animal Welfare”

Regulating Care of Exhibit Animals, narration for a slide set, July
Animal Welfare... List of Licensed Exhibitors

Licensing and Registration under the Animal Welfare Act, Sep. 1975
Animal Welfare Act of

SUGGESTED READING from **0utdoor News Bulletin”

THE WILDERNESS HOME OF THE GIANT PANDA by William G, Sheldon

192 pages. Published by the University of Massachusetts Press,

Amherst, Massachusetts 0I00£| 1975® Price |I2.5G

Although there have been several books on the behavior of the giant

PANDA IN the zoo ENVIRONMENT, THIS IS THE ONLY STUDY OF THE PANDA IN
ITS WILD AND NATURAL HABITAT IN WESTERN CHINA. It IS ALSO A RARE
LOOK AT A LITTLE-KNOWN PART OF AsIA.

Based on h5s experiences during a pre®Woi?ld War ti ekfedition into the

REMOTE HIGH MOUNTAIN COUNTRY OF CHINA, NATURA L I STvW I LL 5 AM ShELOON HAS
WRITTEN FAR MORE THAN A SCHOLARLY TRACT ON PANDAS. HiS FIRST-HAND
ACCOUNTS OF THE LAND AND ITS PEOPLE, AND THE DIFFICULTIES OF DOING
FIELD RESEARCH IN AN AREA WHERE NO WESTERNER HAS BEEN SINCE THAT TIME,
ARE OF EXTRAORDINARY VALUE.

Much of the book is written in narrative style, with fascinating de-
scriptions OF tracking pandas in the snow, the other mammals and biros
that share the habitat with the giant panda, and details of the
general ecology of the wild and beautiful REGION KNOWN AS
"Panda Country". The work is generously illustrated with photographs

AND DRAWINGS.

36

THE CHEMICAL CAPTURE OF AMiLiALS by A,M« Harthoorn

400 PAGES. Published by Bailliere Tindall (a division of Cassell and
Collier Macmillan Publishers Ltd,), J & 8 Henrietta Street, London
WC2E:8QE, England I 1 975

Once past an amossng preface which wastes much time and paper lectur-
ing PROFESSIONAL WILDLIFE MANAGERS TO VIEW ANIMALS AS INDIVIDUALS
RATHER THAN POPULATIONS, HARTHOORN’S BOOK CONTAINS SOME IMPORTANT IN-
FORMATION APPLICABLE TO THE U,S. REMEMBERING THE WHEN JACK

Crockford, Frank Hayes, Jim Jenkins, and Red Palmer were developing

THE FIRST SO-CALLED CAPTURE-GUN AND THE DRUGS TO USE IN IT, THE
SCIENCE AND ART OF ANIMAL CAPTURE HAS COME A LONG WAY.

Although Harthoorn’s book deals mainly with capture of African

species, THERE IS MUCH INFORMATION OF BROADER INTEREST.

AAZK AND AKf T-shirts available
T-shirts with the AAZK logo and

THE AKF LOGO ARE AVAILABLE THRU

THE Keepers at the Sedgwick
County Zoo in Wichita, Ks. AAZK

SHIRTS CAN BE PRINTED IN BLUE OR
WHITE INK AND AKF SHIRTS ARE A-
VAILABLE IN BLACK INK ONLY.

Shrit colors are dark blue, light

BLUE, GOLD, WHITE AND OLIVE GREEN
AT A COST OF $4.50 EACH.

${.00 OF THE AKF SHIRTS WILL BE
CONTRIBUTED TO THE INTERNATIONAL

Species Inventory System. (ISIS).
$1.00 of the AAZK T-shirts will
GO to AAZK. Orders and checks

SHOULD BE SENT TO THE ATTENTION

OF Mark Scott, AAZK Chapter,
Sedgwick County Zoo, 5555
Blvd., Wichita, Ks. 57212. Be
SURE TO state SIZE. (S M L XL)

37

WHOOPING CRANE BATTLES SUCCESSFUL

1975 WAS A GOOD YEAR FOR WHOOPING CRANES. ThEIR NUMBERS SOARED TO AT
LEAST 83, INCLUDING 12 JUVEN I LES . , .BOTH RECORDS ,DUR I NG THE YEAR.

On three separate fronts, U,S. and Canadian biologists fought to save

THE WHOOPING CRANE FROM EXTINCTION. IF THIS YEAR'S SUCCESSES ARE ANY
INDICATION OF THE FUTURE, IT LOOKS AS THOUGH THEY MIGHT WIN. T HE
SUCCESSES INCLUDES

...THE START OF AN EXPERIMENT TO ESTABLISH A SECOND POPULATION OF THE
CRANES IN THE WILD AS INSURANCE AGAINST THE POSSIBILITY THAT A HURRI-
CANE, OIL SPILL, OR OTHER DISASTER WOULD WIPE OUT THE ENTIRE FLOCK|
...THE FIRST HATCHING OF A CHICK FROM CAPTIVE-REARED BIRDS AT THE U .S .

Fish and Wildlife Service’s Patuxent Wildlife Research Centeri

...THE SURVIVAL OF A NEAR-RECORD EIGHT WHOOPING CRANE CHICKS HATCHED
BY THE 48-bird WILD FLOCK IN CaNADA’S WoOD BUFFALO PARK.

FALCONRY REGULATIONS ISSUED

New regulations requiring federal permits for falconers and setting UP

STANDARDS FOR FALCONRY BECAME EFFECTIVE- ON FEBRUARY 17, ACCORDING TO

THE Wildlife Management Institute. The regulations require that persons

ENTERING THE SPORT HAVE A BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF RAPTOR IDENTIFICATION,
BIOLOGY, REGULATIONS, CARE, AND TRAINING, ThEY ESTABLISH THREE CLASSES
OF FALCONRY PERMITS DEPENDING UPON LEVEL OF COMPETENCES APPRENTICE,
GENERAL, AND MASTER. ThEY ALSO SET HOUSING AND MARKING REQUIREMENTS FOR
RAPTORS AND IDENTIFY SPECIES AND NUMBER OF BIRDS WHICH CAN BE USED FOR

SPORT. Finally, they est.abL!Sh minimum standards to be used by the

STATES FOR ISSUING THEIR PERMITS.

EAGLE PORTRAIT OFFERED FOR SALE

A PORTRAIT OF THE B^LD EAGLE HAS BEEN OFFERED FOR SALE BY THE U.S.

Fish and Wildlife Service. It is a full color, heavy paper reproducts

ION, 8j BY t ! INCHES ON A MAT ! BY 15 INCHES, OF AN OIL PAINTING BY

Fish and Wildlife Service artist Bob Hines. It may be obtained by
SENDING $1.85 to the SuPER I NTENDENT OF DOCUMENTS, U.S. GOVERNMENT
Printing Office, Washington, D.C, 204o2, and requesting the “Symbol of [
Our Nation'* portrait, stock # 024-0l0-00408-8,

38

THE KEEPER IS OUTi !

If you have not yet received your copy of THE KEEPER Volume I, 1975

PLEASE LET US KNOW, T HE JOURNAL WAS MAILED TO ALL 1975 MEMBERS AND
AKF SUBSCRIBERS. NEW MEMBERS FOR 197^ AND THOSE WISHING EXTRA
COPIES MAY ORDER A COPY OF THE JOURNAL BY SENDING $5*^0 AAZK

Journal, 635 Blvd., Topeka, Ks. 66606. (Make checks payable to
Animal Keepers’ Forum)

•}t * -S-M-* 4f- -Sf * AAZK '76 Confe rence

Will be held in San Diego, California from August 23 - 2'J , Conference
Headquarters will be the Sheraton Airport Inn on Shel Harbor Island in
downtown San Diego. The registration of |3Q»00 per person will include
banquet, cocktail reception, luncheons, etc,.

The room rates are as follows; singles - |2I.OO, twin or double «•
$26.00, suites - $75*0^ rates do not include room tax).

Mike Dee and Steve Taylor will be handling the conference program.
Material for the program should be sent to Mike at Il4l Western Ave.,
Glendale, CA 91201.

THOSE WISHIf^ TO PRESE^fr PAPERS, SLIDES OR FILMS SHOULD SEND
INFORHATION on the TITLE, SUBJECT OF MATERIAL AND EQUIP^£^^'

REQUIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MIKE.

Those who desire to incorporate a family vacation into the conference

TRIP SHOULD BE REMINDED THAT THE HOTEL DOES NOT ALLOW CAMPING OR OVER-
NIGHT PARKING IN THEIR PARKING LOT. T HE AODReI^SES OF TWO CA'MPING
GROUNDS LOCATED NEAR THE HOTEL ARES MISSION BAY CamPLANO, 2211 PACIFIC

Beach Dr., San Diego, CA 92f09-AND K,0,A., San Diego Metropolitan,

3601 Edgemere, San Diego, CA 92010,

Mike Dee has scheduled a special post-conference tour of the Los
Angeles Zoo, for those who can stick around after the big meeting.

Those who would like to present business before the Board of
Directors or the general meeting, please send notification of your
DESIRED BUSINESS TO AAZK HQ. MAIL TO AAZK Headquarters, 635 Gage
Blvd., Topeka, Ks. 66606.

39

AMRICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 4

APRIL 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

”AwfMAL Keepers' Forum** is a non-profit monthly publication oistributed

TO PROFESSIONAL 100 KEEPERS f ND I PEKDENTLY AND BY THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION

OF Zoo Keepers as a service to its members, **Animal Keepers' Forum”

INCLUDES NEWS AND OFFSCAL ANNOUNCEMENTS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF

Zoo Keepers.

AAZK Board of Directors?

Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks», Executive Secretary

®Hike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca«

Bela Demeter, Washington, ;,D,C.

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks,

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
£0 Roberts, Boston; Ma.

Pat Sass, Chicago, II.

AN 8 HAL KEEPERS* FCM^UM Publication Staff I Topeka, Ks,
Ron Kaufman, Editor
Chris LaRue, Editor
Vicky LaRue, Memberships

Articles in this newsletter may be reprinted with the permission of

THE AUTHOR, CREDIT TO THIS PUBLICATION IS REQUESTED,

THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS HAY HOT NECESSARILY REFLECT TFC VIEW OF
THE AKF STAFF,

Send news items and articles for publication tos
AKF Editors / 635 Sage Blvd, / Topeka, Ks. 66606

Questions for Dr, Patton's nutrition column should
BE SENT TO THE AKF EDITORS,

For information concerning membership in the American Association
OF Zoo Keepers write tos AAZK National Headquarters/ 635 Gage Blvo.
Topeka, Ks. 666c^.

CAPTIVE BREEDING OF WOOLLY OPPOSSUMS by Robert R. Peel, Calgary Zoo

Last spring two female woolly opossums were born at the Calgary Zoo.
They were mother-raised to maturity.

Captive births of this species are rare. Results will be published,
but first we hope to contact all institutions that are keeping this
animal or who have kept the species in the past. We know of two
zoos - San Francisco and New York, and one university - U. of
California.

Keepers who are aware of any other institution that has had exper-
ience with Caluromys are urged to \-.frite toj

Robert R. Peel, Calgary Zoo & Natural History Park, St, George ^s
Island, Calgary, Alberta, Canada. T2G 3H4

NSW CURATOR APPOINTED

Kevin Bell, 2424 N, Clark St,, is the new Bird Curator at the
Chicago Park District's Lincoln Park Zoo, Bell replaces Bob
Hinckley, who is now director of Williams Park Zoo in Providence,
R.Io

THE BRONX ZOO ATO SNAXEBITE

One of the ultimate hazards of a reptile keeper's job is venomous
snakebite. The Bronx Zoo Reptile Rouse recently began preparation
for such a dreaded eventuality. All five keepers, along with the
Zoo's Associate Curator of Reptiles have undergone training at New
York's Roosevelt Hospital in the intravenous injection of antivenins,
Other-.precautions are also taken. During working hours there is
always a minimum of two keepers in the building. Keepers maintain
identification cards and handling records religiously and with the
utmost accuracy, A card for each snake is kept on the back of its
exhibit door. Each door is clearly labelled "THINK BEFORE YOU OPEN".
An alarm button is placed on the wall next to every enclosure.
Fortunately, none of the present keeper staff has ever been enveno-
ms ted, despite fifty years of collective service.

40

#**#»**##* an JMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM **********
GUEST EDITORIAL

KEEPER PROFESSIONALISM by Vernon Kisling, Research Curator, Crandon

Park Zoological Garden, Miami, FI.

There is a great deal of discussion about professionalism in this day
and age. It is an issue that concerns many corporations, associations,
and individuals. The AAZPA, the MZK, and their members are no ex-
ceptions, The AAZV has an edge on professionalism since its members
are veterinarians, as perhaps the AAZPA now does as well (points that
may be debatable based on one^s own personal experiences).

But what about the keepers, iJoth in and out of the AAZK? Is it
possible for keepers to be professional, and is zookeeping a pro-
fession? To answer these questions, one must have a knowledge and
an understanding of the terms profession and professionalism - it
must be recognized that these terms are only words used to describe
concepts, and concepts are individualized, each person having his/her
own.

To me, a profession is one’s work irrespective of the place where the
work takes place. In the case of keepers, the profession would be
the captive care and maintenance of animals, irrespective of the
zoological park, aqixarium, etc, where one is employed. This involves
feeding, cleaning, working with and around animals, and caring about
the animals’ health and general well being.

To demonstrate professionalism, it is essential to not only perform
these professional duties, but to perform them as best one can, meet-
ing standards established by those in the profession or those estab-
lished on one’s own - if this is felt to be necessary. There are few,
if any, zoological parks that are mistreating their animals. However,
the professional question to be asked is, to what extent are zoologi-
cal park staffs properly treating their animals. That is, to what
standards (to what degree of correctness), if any, are animal collec-
tions being maintained?

41

This has become a severe point of conflict in several zoological parks
of late. It is a professional problem involving the setting of appro-
priately high standards without exceeding the point of irrationality.
It is an issue which is seen differently by zookeepers and by zoo
administrators. It is an issue I feel could be resolved, but it re-
quires a professionalism on the part of the zookeeper and the zoo
administrator that goes much deeper than that which has been briefly
described here.

It requires a professionalism that contains a respect, trust, and
ethical concern for not only one^s work, but also for one*s fellow
workers. And to me, the captive care of wildlife is a team effort -
a single profession. Education, research, veterinary care, admin-
istration, etc, should be secondary professional concerns to those
persons working in zoological parks and aquariums.

As a team effort, the current professional standards conflict (i.e,
are the animals being cared for as best they should be or could be)
should be settled through appropriate modes of conflict r solution
within each zoological park/ aquarium. Everyone insists that they
care more about the animals than the next fellow. It is time to
demonstrate this concern in a responsible manner and it should be up
to the administrators to take the initiative and to provide the
guidance in these matters.

For keepers do have a profession, and it is the seme as that of the
administrators. Whether there is any professionalism involved (on
the part of the keeper and on the part of the administrator) will
depend on the attitude and concern demonstrated in solving zoo-related
problems in order to improve the general well being of the animals.

Education, keeper training, zoo experience, and life experience will
help to improve the keeper’s ability to perform professionally, how-
ever, it is up to each individual keeper to actually demonstrate his/
her professionalism. Just as important, however, is the need for zoo
administrators to allow the keepers to demonstrate their professional-
ism through appropriate respect, trust, concern, dissemination of re-
sponsibility, and opportunities for individual growth and self-actual-
ization.

42

AAZK CHAPTER INVENTORY

Dennis Grimm of the Brookfield Zoo and Coordinator for Chapter
Affairs will be coii5)iling an inventory of all the AAZK Chapters in
the country. He requests that the presidents of each chap ter j,; sub-
mit the following information to him at the Brookfield Zooj Brook-
field, 111. 60513s total membershipi approximate active members;

present officers in the chapter; function of chapter, including,...
meetings, past, present and i^U^ure projects; insight on the chapter’s
future involvement in national AAZK affairs; degree of cooperation
with host zoo.

Please try to include all the above information on one typewritten
page, keeping to general concepts. Thank you.

DEADLINE FOR THE MAY ISSUE OF AKF IS 20 APRIL.......

VASECTOMY OF AN AFRICAN LION by Barbara Osborne, Glen Oak Zoo,

Peoria, II.

Due to the problems we have encountered with the pregnancies of our
lioness and to the availability of young, our zoo veterinarian, Dr,

N. Earp, advised thnt a vasectomy should be performed on our male
lion. The operation was performed on the morning of December 11,

1975, with the staff of the Glen Oak Zoo, Peoria, Illinois, assisting
Dr. Earp.

Nero, our five year old male, was kept off feed the day before and
was isolated in a specially modified cage prior to beginning the
tranquilization. At 1002 AM Nero was given 50 mg. of Tranvet orally.
The drug caused him to become drowsy but he woiold not transfer to our
”Lab Care” feline squeeze cage. Therefore at 10:45 AM, 50 additional
mg’s were administered orally. Nero became idifferent to the staff

43

around his cage but remained on his feet. At 11sOO AM Nero was run
into the squeeze cage with a small bribe of feline diet. At llsll AM,
25 cc of atropine and 25 cc of ketamine were administered IM. At
11s20 AM an additional 10 cc of ketamine were administered as Nero
was still responding to stimulus. At 11:25 AM Nero’s hindquarters
were pulled partially out of the squeeze cage. Dr, Earp prepared
the scrotal area and made the first incision at 11:30 AM. Due to
the large amount of connective tissue some difficulty was encount-
ered in locating the vas deferens. After it was found, it was tied
off at two locations-'approximately 1” apart. The ligated portion
was then removed. After closing the first incision a second one was
made and the same procedure was followed again. The total time for
the surgery was approximately 45 minutes.

Blood samples were drawn from a vein in the right rear leg at 12i15
PM. At this time antibiotics were administered IM, Nero was then
placed back in the squeeze cage. Due to the lack of an accurate
weight it was then decided to weigh Nero and squeeze cage on a floor
platform balance scale. Nero weighed in at 4-44'g' pounds with the
squeeze cage weighing 282g- pounds.

At 12:40 PM Nero was pulled from the squeeze cage into his enclosure.
During this time he was already lightening up and showing signs of
awakening. At 3:15 PM Nero began making attempts to sit up.

On December 12, Nero was still noted to be groggy but up and on his
feet. He was fed half of his routine diet X'/hich he promtly consumed.

On December 13, Nero was fed his full diet and was noted to be almost
normal. He was observed passing normal stools and urine late on this
date. The scrotal area was only slightly swollen and was normal on
the 14th.

For futher iriformation. Dr, Earp will be witing a detailed account,
for the AAZV Journal and can be contacted c/o the Glen Oak Zoo,

Peoria, Illinois. ^

’’■(Author’s note) As of December 20, 1975 Nero has been returned to
joint quarters with our female African Lion, Active breeding was
last noted on January 25, 1976 x^ith no changes in behavior observed.

We are now waiting to see if all went as it should have.

44

■A.NIMAL NUTRITION by Dr. Richard S. Patton^ Director of Professional ’

Education, Mark Morris & Associates, Topeka, Ks.

Question? Describe the various "hays” used for feeding and the desir-
ability (nutritional and otherwise) of each type.

Answer i Although there are many varieties of hays, two basic classi-
fications are possibles grass and legume. Legume hays are always
higher in protein (15%) than grass hays {3-9%) and legume hay is often
all that is needed to maintain adult hoof stock. Legume hay is often
ail that is needed to maintain adult hoofstock. (les, you did just
read the same sentence twice; it was not an error. It is hoped you
will remember it.)

I urge you to read in Cramp ton and Harris (Applied Animal Nutrition
2rid ed., W, H. Freeman and Co,, 1956) the discussion on '’Concentra-
tion of Nutrients in Roughage”, page 286, Basically, it is shown
that a dairy cow giving 44 lb. of milk (4^ fat) per day can meet her
nutritional needs with good quality alfalfa or clover hay. This cow
has energy and nutrient needs greatly in excess of virtually all zoo
hoofstock.

I*m sorry to digress from answering the question. I couldn’t resist
the opportunity to indicate that many zoos overfeed protein and con-
centrates to their hoofstock.

The quality of a hay, grass or legume, is determined by when the hay
is cut; the older the hay, the lower the protein and higher the fiber.

A delay in cutting of only ten days can increase stem weight 30%,

The best quality hay can be made only from a crop cut well before
maturity.

The first reason for this is that young plants are a higher percentage
leaves, which are of better nutritional value than stems. The quality
of all leaves are about the same. The difference in hays is due most-
ly to the amount of leaves per pound of dry hay. At the stage of

maturity necessary for the best hay, the leaf in timothy (a grass) is

about 30%, in clover %0% and alfalfa 55^ (legumes) ,

45

The second reason early cutting is important is because ligiiin, an in™
soluable compound, is laid dora in any area of a plant that has stop-
ped growing.

Poor quality hays do not support maximum bacterial growth in the rumen.
This leads to a more serious secondary problem, a decline in roughage
consumption. The downward spiral that can ensue is obvious.

But, how does one recognize quality hay? For those really interested
(as I hope all hoof stock curators and keepers are!) there is most
likely a land grant university in your state. It is state funded and
under an obligation to serve its citizens. Go to the agronomy depart-
ment and request a short education in hay judging, (Some schools even
teach a course in it.) In an hour or less, you should be in a position
to evaluate all hay your zoo buys.

Questions I would like to know how much vitamin supplement a Humbolt
penquin needs. We have 5 penquins on a diet of smelt and they are
receiving 3 Vigran pills per bird daily. This seems a lot to me.

Answer s In checking the potency of the three types of pills marketed
unSeF* the trade name of Yigran, it is appsirent one is half the streng-
th of the basic formula (and recommended for children) , while the
other simply contains the basic formula plus iron.

The exact micronutrient requirements of the penquin (to say nothing
of a Humbolt penquin) are not known. Under the circumstances, the
best that can be done is compare with a reasonable known reference.
Knowing the needs of some other bird admittedly may not be very re-
assuring, but it certainly allows more confidence than a blind guess.
Three Vigran pills viould provide 15j000 I.U, of vitamin A per penquin.
The smelt easily doubles this to 30,000 I.U./bird/day. A chicken
(non-laying adi^t hen) requires 4,000 I.U. /kg, of feed and will eat
0.1 or less kilograms/day, or 400 I.U. /day. Therefore, if you gave
smelt and three Vigran pills to a chicken, you would exceed its
vitamin A requirement by 75 times. Using the same logic for vitamin
D, 50 times the needed amount is given. For thiamin, 112 times.

I know a chicken is a physiological artifact, almost as low as a tur-
key, and certainly not a penquin. However, to answer your question,
you err on the side of safety. Give one pill a day to each bird, and
give it at a different time than the smelt, if possible.

46

THE BEGINNING OF R.A.P>

Members of the herpetology staff of the National Zoological Park will
be starting a new coliunn for AKF. The column will be titled Reptile
and _ Amphibian F o tpourr i (R.A,?,). The writing staff will include
keepers Bela Demeter^ Sam Davisi,- Bfenda Hall and Trooper Malsh, Also
contributing will be Dr, Dale Marcellinij Research Curator of Hei’pe-
tology, Michael Davenport^ Curator of Reptiles and Amphibians ^and
Jaren Horsely, General Curator. The writing staff will maintain
close communications with herpetologists in the Division of Reptiles
and Amphibians j, U.S, Museum of Natural History,

The writers ask for noteSj suggestions and ideas dealing with herp”
tile husbandry. Questions or comments concerning reptile pathology?'
may also be sentj as the National Zoo ina?Ln tains an excellent path-
ology department. The submitting author need not prepare a formal
article. Material for the column may be sent to Bela Demetery
4593-2 MacArthui* Blvd.y N.W, Washington, D.C., 20007.

REPTILE Fji;EDING by Bela Demeter, National Zoo

One of the most frustrating aspects of reptile management is feeding
and nutrition. It*s often hard to induce herps to feed| even when
they look like they are doing well they either get fat or die and
the autopsy reveals malnourished organs. One problem we have had
for some time at the Nationa.1 Zoo is calcium deficiency in Geckos.

At the AAZI convention in Chicago, Ray Pawley advised me to supple-
ment their diet with the following mixture | egg yolk (2 tsp,),
honey (2- tsp.), molasses (I/8 tsp,), and Vitamin D3 (25,000 lU’s),
This was a good start on what may be part of the solution to this
problem,

A.11 our insectivorous lizards are fed crickets sprinkled with a
Pervinal-Calcium carbonate mixture twice a weekV Every other veek
grubs are hatched out and the flies are fed to those that will eat
them. All geckos and ancles are offered the supplement and they
usually lick it up.

47

Sometimes a simple solution to a feeding problem can be obscured by
habit. We used to feed our Gila Monsters and Tegu Lizards feline
diet with egg yolk, which, although eaten readily, caused obesity
in both. (The Tegus were living two years at the most,) So we
switched to whole mice. Neither the Tegus nor the Gila Monsters
could be induced to feed after being used to the ground meat and egg
yolk. After several months of staying with an occasional meal of
feline diet while trying to get them on whole mice it occured to me
to try chopping the mice up and putting egg yolk on top.

The Gila Monsters went for it immediately and soon they were eating
whole mice without the egg, (They still get egg yolk occasionally.)
It sounds simple, but it took me some time to think of it.

I*ve always been disappointed by the lack of reptj-le notes in the
newsletter, I know there's a lot more going on in herp collections
than you'd guess by reading AKI’.

Reptile husbandry is often a touch-and-go thing, but I know that with
just a little effort much of it can by communicated. I for one would
like to read about experiences others are having keeping reptiles
alive. Maybe it won't take me three months to figure out how to get
a Gila Monster to eat next time.

4TH GENERATION BLACK LEOPARDS BORN AT LINCOLN PARK ZOO

A pair of fourth generation Black Leopard cubs were born Feb, 23 at
Lincoln Park Zoo. The cubs, one male and one female, were born to
Carla and Duke, four-year-old adult Black Leopards.

The cubs were taken from their mother in the Lion House and will be
raised by hand in the Zoo Nursery in the Shildren's Zoo.

In 1974, Lincoln Park Zoo received an AA23PA award for the breeding
and raising of third generation Black Leopards,

48

LETTER TO THE EDITORS:

I am writing this in response to Mr, Coker’s letter in the January,
1976 .AKF,

First of all, let me st8.te that few, if any, soos deliberately ’’ex-
periment’* on wildlife with hybridization as the intended goal, Mr,
Coker, you stated in your letter - ”In most zoos in this countrj^,
hybridization should not be an encouraged practice,” I agree, hybrid-
ization shoiold not be encouraged" in any zoo, and it certainly isn’t
at the Atlanta Zoo,

This hybrid Gibbon/Siamang birth was in no way planned by any of the
zoo staff. The animals involved ai’e not owned by the zoo, but by a
professor at Georgia State University, who wished that they remain
together while on loan to the zoo.

The staffs of both G.S.U, and the lerkes Primate Center have been ex-
amining this hybrid quite closely - as a chromosome count difference
of sjjc between the parents made conception hJ.ghly unlikely. These
studies, as v/ell as other notable findings, could well result in the
reclassification of the family Hylobatidae, Such reclassification
would be of great importance and. benefit to any zoo or institutions
that ms.intain any of the species included in this group.

The Atlanta Zoo does not indulge in a ’’circus” or ’’freak show” mnner
to attract visitors by displaying ”oddities,” In truth, the only
publicity given to this animal was in the Nove.mber AKF, The public
was never told of its existence, and the anbnal is not on public
display. If the general public is to be told anything, it is that
this event sho\fS that we still have much to learn about animals,
both wild and captive.

Alan Sharpies

Senior Keeper, Primates

Atlanta Zoo

49

A NOTE OF CONGRATULATIONS AND REPRIMAND

I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the AKF staff,
especially Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue, for the fine job they did in
getting together The Keener, I feel that if every member of the
association did a fraction of the work that these people do this
organization would be in far better shape than what it is in. This
is supposed to be an association of animal keepers, however, if there
isn’t a change in attitude among members and non-members that are
zoo keepers this organization is doomed. The losers are all of us.
For the association to be a viable, informative organization there
must be participation on a large scale by every member. The more
members who participate, the more we all benefit.

Randy McGill
Detroit Zoo
Detroit, Mi.

COLOBUS MONKEY BORN

Almost one year to the day, the Los Angeles Zoo Kikuyu colobus monkey
colony has another baby in its family.

Captive births of this species are significant, as the colobus is
delicate to maintain in captivity and colonies are difficult to
establish. This infant is one of several born at the L.A, Zoo,

It is not unusual for family members other than the mother to be seen
carrying the infant. The colobus monkeys keep close family units.

50

A MATE ARRIVES by Randy McGill, Detroit Zoo

The first snow leopard (Panthera uncia) born at the Detroit Zoo (see
The Keeper » vol« 1, 1^5) got a mats on 20 January, 1976, when a
male arrived from the Milwaukee Zoo. This was the first time the
female had seen a member of her own species. The new pair did not
shovz great delight at seeing each other. , ,

Upon his arrival, the ina].e’s crate was secured to the cage of the
female for a get aquainted period. However, the female avoided
looking into the crate, and the male showed no interest in the femal
female. Three days later, the arrangement was changed. The male
was placed in an adjoining cage. This time, the female paced on the
far side of her cage away from the male and the male layed in a
corner. , .uninterested in his new companion, ' Except for a couple of
snarls, their interest in each other remained unchanged.

Before the arrival of the male, the female was eating 36 oz. of C/D
(Hill*s) per day. On 20 January, the food v/as reduced to 31 oz. and

a little was left in the pan. On 22 January, the female ate all 31

oz. The day the male was placed in the adjacent cage (23 January),
she ate all her morning feed (15^ oz.) but in the afternoon, she ate

only 14 oz, of the 22§- oz. given. She ate 10 oz. in the morning of

24 Januarjr and 7 oz, in the afternoon. Obviously, the female went
off feed, while her companion consumed 48 oz. of Feline Diet each
day. The next day her consumption increased and on 28 January, she
was cleaning up nearly all food offered. Her ration was steadily
increased through 1 March, at which time she was eating 46;^ oz. The
disruption of her normal routine had apparently passed. The next
hurdle to be cleared comes when the two are actually put together.

KEEPERS Am COMMUNICATION (In-House Communications^ Part 1

by Judie Steenberg, Topeka Zoo

In the last issue of AKF, guidelines from Aurner and Wolf (1967)
were given to help identify the steps that should be taken to get
the most out of commurdcating.

51

Let* s now consider communications in a zoo situation. There are two
major factors that affect keepers and communications. One is the
policy of the zoo and the administrative staff in providing the means
for communications within the zoo*s operation. Does the keeper have
the opportunity to exchange ideas and itLformation with co-workers
and the administrative staff, to record important observations and
data for the zoo’s permanent record, or to be involved with the zoo’s
volunteers and visitors? Is the keeper encouraged to develop as a
commimicator within his/her own zoo and with other zoos? All of
these things have an important effect on the success of a keeper’s
communicative efforts. But, even in an ideal zoo, with all of these
avenues open, the key factor is the attitude of the keeper. Unless
an effort is made on the part of the individual, none of it means
much. It is a fact of life that nothing is accomplished without
effort. Good relationships among keepers and administrative staff
do not just happen, they’re developed through communication. Albeit,
there are zoos where this is not possible, but generally, where effor
is made success follows. You can communicate successfully if you use
the right approach, have the proper attitude euad, if necessary, try
hard enough.

For those who work in zoos that realize the value of good keepers,
the possibilities of communication areemany. Zoo records are the
first area of input. It is hard to imagine that something has not
happened during a day that is not worth noting. Perhaps It does not
require an entry on the zoo’s records, but, then again, maybe it
does. Keepers must develop skills to perceive, interpret and apply
information about the animals in their care. Perception means notice
ing, observing, listening to, and realisixig what’s taking place, A
new keeper must develop this ability while Ibrig-tlme keepers must
take care not to become callous or oblivious to what’ s happening.
Interpretation means analyzing information according to importance
and relevance . The application of information can be by oral or
written communication or through performance, ^Performance? - Yes,
how a keeper transfers or relates information to the daily perfor-
mance of caring for animals. This could take the form of training
a new keeper or of working well with co-workers. Probably the single
most effective means of communication is making entries on the zoo’s
records, ”Many species of animals owe their existence today to facts
learnt about theni in zoological institutions,” (Hediger 1964) * An
article by Peel (1975) of the Calgary Zoo gives a good overview of
the major aspects in the field of zoo records, (con’t next month)*

52

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF EDO lODEI^RS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 5

MAY 1976

ANiMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edited by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue

Topeka Zoological Park 635 Gage Boulevard Topeka, Kansas 66606

^Animal Keepers’ Forum” is a non-profit monthly publication oistri-

BUTcD TO PROFESSIONAL ZOO KEEPERS INDEPENDENTLY AND BY THE AMERICAN

Association of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members, "Animal
keepers’ Forum” includes news and official announcements of the AA2K.

aAZK Board of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D,C. PRESIDENT
Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks. VICE-PRESSDEf\fr
Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Hike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca, '

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Eo Roberts, Boston, Ma,

Pat Sass, Chicago, II,

Articles in this publication may be reprinted with the permission of

THE AUTHORS. CREDIT TO "AnIMAL KEEPERS* FoRUh" IS REQUESTED.

Questions for Dr, Patton’s Nutrition Column may be sent to the editors

fNiATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
I EDITORS, THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOf NECESSARILY REFLECT
I THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF "ANIMAL KEEPERS* FORUM”.

DKADLINE FOR THE JUNE ISSUE IS 20 MA.Y

STRIKE AT THE SM ERAHCISCO ZOO

Keepers at the San Francisco Zoo have been on strike since 31 March,
The zoo enployes about 2S keepers and all but five are members of the
union local. According to Tony Bila, shop steward, one man is being
allowed to cross the picket lines to care for a nene goose that is
being hand-raised. Bila also said that union members will be able to
return to the zoo in event of an emergency,

Saul Kitchener, zoo director, said the zoo has been closed to the
public. He added that the zoo is being cared for by administrative
staff and the five non-union fceispers.

The only problem being alluded to is the accumulation of trash, since
trash collection personnel are not crossing the picket lines.

ADDAX. ORYX ON THE BRIM from the lUCN Bulletin

The remaining populations of addax and scimitar-horned oryx are being
reduced so fast that in five years they will be beyond recovery, lUCN
surveys reveal. In Sudan, addax and orjoc are so scarce that they are
probably irrecoverable already.

Surveys of actual and potential habitats of the two species in Chad,
Mauritania, Niger and Sudan were carried out by lUCN in 1975 with
support from the World Wildlife Fund and other organizations. A panel
of experts met with the lUCN surveyors on 22 January, and agreed that
"the situation is even more serious than expected". Immediate action
is needed if viable populations of addax and scimitar-horned oryx are
to persist.

The objectives of the surveys were: to identify the areas in the
Sahara Desert and Sahelian zone where addax, oryx and associated
species (such as dama gazelle and dorcas gazelle) still live? to de-
termine those areas most suitable for protection; to suggest
additional protective measures; and to prepare for more detailed
studies on a country-by- country basis.

53

FROM AAZK HQ

by Rick Steenberg, Executive
Secretary, Topeka, Ks,

MZK BOARD NAMES EXECUTIVE QMGERS

The Board of Directors, in accordance with Constitutional requirements,
has elected from among its members a President and a ¥ice President,
Elected President was Bela Demeter, of the National Zoological Park,
Washington, DeC. Elected Vice President was Chris LaRue, of the
VJorld Famous Topeka Zoo, Topeka, Kansas, Let's all lend our- suppojrb
as they guide the Association for the next two years,

SWEEMS TO RECEIVE HONORS |

Dick Sweeney, long time Executive Secretary of AAZK and his loyal and j
long-suffering wife, Virginia have, by unanimous decision of the Board j;
of Directors, been granted life membership in the Association, It was |i
felt appropriate, in recognition of the eight years of hard work they i
both put into the Association,

FIRST QBARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. AAZK

Item

Credit

Debit

Actual Bank Balance, 1 Jan, 1976

11431794

Postage

$ 213.36 :

Deposits, Dues & Patches

3524-.00

Printing (Envelopes)

25.36

Refunds (Pro Rated Member ship^

75.00

Animal Keepers' Forum Account

1665.00

San Diego Conference Expenses

75.00

Bank Charges (Foreign Checks)

19.34

Deposit on 660 Shoulder -RatShes

250.00

"Ty^ewriuBf, Coronamatic Portable

160,00

Filing Cabinet

20,70

Miscellaneous Office Supplies

4.60 1

$4958,94

$2508.36 .

-?-503.36

1

Cash assets, 31 Mar, 1976

f2450.58

i

AAZK BUSII^S I^IEETING

There will be a general membership meeting during the course of the
San Diego Conference^ at which business of the Association will be
conducted. Come prepared to participate, ¥e WAMT you to. Mean-
while, items of business relating to the Constitution must be sub-
mitted first to the Board of Directors, If possible, please send
your ideas and/or suggestions to headquarters prior to the 15th of
July so that Board Mem.bers might ruminate on them prior to the Board
meeting at San Diego, (See inside back page for more Conference info,)

KERST giAETER KEHANCIA-L STATMEffl* (1976). AKJ by Vicky LaRue, Topeka

Zoological Perk

Credit

Cash on hand 31 December 1975 f 373,31

AAZK memberships 2080,00

AKP subscriptions 170,00

Printing supplies (surplus sold) 12,76

Typewriter sold ' 160,00

THE KEEPER- Income from, sales 35,00

Printing ^supplies
Postage; Misc,

Canada, foreign

Bulk deposit Jan, - liar,

.Annual bulk fee
Office supplies

Rational Wildlife Federation Conservation Directory
THE KEEPER - printing and mailing
Repaid TFOTZ^loan

Debit

■I 323,83
8,47
78,05
112,12
40,00
40,11
3,00
569.72
400,00

Gash on hand 31 March 1976
Accounts receivable

12831.07 fi57?3o

11255.77
$ 20.00

55

PUBLICATION OP IICTEREST by Mike Dee, Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, CA

Those keepers involved with birds of prey might be interested in a
book entitled Raptors of Utah, by Lary E^e and Don Paul, This pub-
lication is available from the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources,
1596 W, North Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84II65 for $3.50 including
postage* Raptors of Utah is a softbound book with 76 pages and con-
tains an identification key and list of all raptors found in Utah.

The publication includes a short life history, distribution, field
marks, and color photos of each species.

KEEPERS AND COMMUNICATION (in House Communications) Part 2

by Judie Steenberg, Topeka Zoo

Communications between co-workers and administrative staff may not
al’ways be optimal. It is not reasonable to expect that everybody
will always agree with you or understand everthing you attempt to
communicate. But, if a keeper’s attitude is constructive and his
effort is rational, much can be accomplished. Keepers have a unique
position in a zoo’s operation; they have the opportunity to communi-
cate xvith members of the administrative staff, auxiliary staff
(maintenance, volunteers, etc.) and zoo visitors. Although zoo
visitors can be difficult to deal yith at times, keepers can do
much to educate them. Because a keeper can relate first hand infor-
mation about the animals they can generate sincere interest and
appreciation of animals.

Keepers have much to share and accomplish in all levels of zoo
communications. How much depends on the individual, and the zoo.
Perhaps you are only interested in communicating on a scientific
level with your colleagues, but if you choose to, you have the
ability to do more for your zoo than you may realize. Whatever
your predilection, you have a responsibility, as a keeper, to at
least communicate information about the animals in your care to
those within your zoo who can aid in their care and management.

56

(con' T )

One of Topeka Zoo’s strongest assets is a good communication system.
Keepers at Topeka are kept informed of all that’s happening at the
zoo and in turn are expected to communicate pertinent information
about the animals in their keep to the administrative staff. Morn-
ing meetings and weekly staff meetings are held for this purpose.

The zoo’s Daily Animal Record provides spaces for entries of all
data pertaining to animals, physical plant and special activities.
Each keeper working a routine is expected to make any entries re-
garding the animals in his/her area. Each routine also has a note-
book that serves as an on-going keeper’s record. It contains much
of the same information recorded on the Daily Report plus any addi-
tional information about the procedures in that area. Prented
matter received at the zoo is made available for reading to all
interested keepers. The ZOO magazine, published by the Topeka
Friends of the Zoo, often contains articles written by keepers,

ZOO and the Cowabunga News, published by the Docents, are both
distributed to all keepers. Communications at Topeka extend out-
side the perimeter fence. Not only do most keepers relate well to
zoo visitors but many . give talks through-out the city to groups of
all kinds during zoo and evening hours.

Several Topeka keepers have appeared on local radio and TV public
service spots talking about the zoo. Communications are not perfect
at Topeka but the opportunities to communicate are there. The rest
is up to the individual.

Next month "Getting the Word Out" will give a few pointers on oral
and written communications.

References cited:

Aurner, Robert R. and Wolf, Morris P., 1967. Effective Communications
In Business. Southwestern Publishing Co,, Cincinnati, Oh.
Hediger, H. 1964. Wild Animals In Captivity. Dover Publishers Inc.,
New York, NY.

Peel, Robert R, 1975. ’'Keeper Involvements In Zoo Records", The
Keeper: Journal of the American Association of Zoo Keeners.

Edited by R. Kaufman and C. LaRue, Vol. I, pp. 7-9.

57

Reptile & Amphibian PoTPOURKI by Bela Demeter^ National Zoological

Park, Washington, 0*0,

Welcome to our colnmn* We hope to be able to pass along some useful
information on how to keep reptiles and amphibians healthy and breed=t
ing. Whether we succeed or not is going to depend a lot on how much
response we get from you, the reader « If you have anything to say or
suggest, no matter how general or specific, by all means do so^ We*d
like to cover as wide a field as possible that will be informative to
both the experienced herpetologist and the novice a We don’t consider
ourselves experts in every aspect of this field and this certainly isn’t
meant to be the last word on reptile husbandry® It will sei-ve as a
clearing house for infomation and observations by all herp people,
anonymously if you prefer*

At Lincoln Park Zoo a couple of years ago Eddy Almendarz mentioned to
me that he thought his success \d:th reptiles was related to the fact
that he sprays his animals down mth water once every day® He empha-
sised that this does not mean keeping the animals in a damp environmenti
they all have a chance to dry completely in a couple of hours® This
seems to make a lot of sense® Dew, after all, is a perfectly natural
phenomenon® llany heips will drink water from the plants or other
objects in the cage, even therjselves® We have been spraying our animals
daily for some time now and there is a noticeable improvement in their
skin tone and condition® Shedding problems often have been solved by
lust supplying sufficient, humidity* For instance, some of our Tree Boas
(Gorallus)were having difficulty in shedding* When we placed them
over water the problem disappeai^ed. For those animals that like more
humidity, we place cork bark, plastic plants, or other material in the
cage so mcmsture is retained longer* In view of this it seems that a
spray bottle is a valuable piece of equipment to a heip keeper®

A spray bottle could prove to be indispensable to you since it can
also be used for ca.tching Geckos® If youlxe having trouble snatching
a speedy Gecko without losing its tail, try spraying it before you
reach for it® Since it can’t walk very well on a wet surface, the
animal will hesitate a fraction of a second longer before darting
away® That gives you a little more time to clap your hand over it,
decreasing the chance of injury or escape®

Address all materul to R.AoP®, DfvtsjON of Reptiles and Amphibians,
National Zoological Park, Washington, O.C, 20009.

58

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS by Michael K. Stoskopf, DVM, Overton

Park Zoo & Aquarium, Memphie, Tn.

The word burablefoot creates an image which will make any good bird
keeper cringe. It doesn’t do much to make a veterinarian comfortable
either! Usually a product of mismanagement, a bumbled foot can take
on many forms, and can be caused by many etiologic agents. The prob-
lem is most often seen in waterfowl or in birds of prey, although it
can happen to any bird.

In waterfowl the usual finding is a soft diffuse swelling in the web
between the toes. This may or may not be accompanied by open sores
or hard bumps on the bottoms of the toes themselves. A bird may be
seen limping or simply not walking at all v/hen first discovered.
Unfortunately, by this time the lesions have usually progressed to
the point of being very serious. Treatment includes lancing the
swellings, being careful not to further damage the foot, and the use
of antibiotics topically and injected into the bumbles. No single
antibiotic is going to cure every bumble though, because they can
be caused by almost every bacteria knoim. To increase his chances of
success with a case then, it behooves the practitioner to know the
particular organism he is dealing with. This is why a veterinarian
will normally culture the bacteria from a bumble and test its sensi-
tivity against the antibiotic he is using. Possibly then, he may
change antibiotics a day or two later.

In birds of prey the problem occurs most frequently in the spring
during the moulting season. Inactive birds which do not use their
feet enough to keep good circulation are most often affected, and the
moulting season is accented by inactivity. Many causes have been
cited in the literature including unpadded perches and dirty quarters,
and these are certain3.y contributing factors. However, even the best
kept bii’d can develop bumbles. The trick is to notice the problem
as early as possible, to optimize the bird’s chances of recovery.

Just as a good reptile keeper checks his charges’ eyes each day for
signs of ecdysis or moult, the good raptorial bird keeper should
check his birds’ feet every day. The first sign of a bumble will be
discoloration on the plantar or bottom surface of the foot. This vrill
usually be reddish or dark, and may vary in size from only a millimeter
in diameter to very large areas of the foot. Soon after discoloration

(con’t )

59

occurs, a scab will usually develop. If left to progress large gran-
ulomatous bumbles will grow until the foot becomes useless. An old
saying by falconers around the world, is that the only way to cure
bumblefoot is to release the bird. There seems to be some truth in
this if one accepts the many accounts of bumbled birds being freed
and recaptured the next year with good feet. Most zoos, and in fact
most falconers, however, cannot use this technique at will.

Instead, if caught early, the scabs should be soaked in warm epsom's
salt solution for about 30 minute s-af ter washing the feet with a dis-
infectant soap. Then the softened scab can be carefully peeled back,
avoiding major bleeding. The application of antibiotic salves to
the lesion is recommiended as well as the observance of scrupulous
sanitation procedures. The real treatment for bumbles though, is a
good management program which v/ill minimize their occurance by pro-
viding a good diet, clean and appropriate perches, and good exercise.

EAGLES AT THE, DETROIT ZOO by Randy McGill

For the first time in 28 years, bald eagles will be exhibited at the
Detroit Zoo in the completely renovated Bird House. A 13 pound
female vras recently delivered to the zoo. She was hatched in the
wild at Passamoquoddy, Maine in June, 1966, She v;as removed from the
wild that same year and placed in Federal protective custody at the
Patuxent Wildlife Research Center. Lady Eagle, as she is called,
la5-d eggs in 1971, 1972 and 1973, but none were fertile.

The U,S, Fish and Wildlife Service is hoping to capture an odd male
in northern Minnesota that is attempting to disrupt a breeding pair.
The two will then be housed in a flight cage now under construction
at the Bird House, The nest tree, the construction of the nest and
the placement of other trees and props has been completed. When the
unit is ready, the male will be p?i.aced In the enclosure first. After
he has become acclimated, the more aggressive female will be intro-
duced .

The object of the project is to successfully raise bald eagles and
return them to the wild. Hopefully, if projects such as this are
successful, our national emblem will not be an endangered species
for our country *s tricentennial.

60

NEW EDUCATION PROGRAM BENEFITS KEEPERS AND ZOO by Steve A. Clevenger

Early last fall a program was developed in the education department
of the Oklahoma City Zoo which gives keepers the opportunity for an
informal educational experience during the work day. Keepers and
administrative staff members have been preparing a 60-90 minute pro-
gram on various aspects of animal husbandry and management. Guest
speakers from local universities and visiting researchers are also
invited to present programs. These programs are then presented at a
weekly ’’broiTn bag” seminar during the lunch hoiir. For this purpose,
the staff has increased the lunch hour an additional 30 minutes on
seminar day.

Response to the program has been very good and the sessions held so
far have proven to be extremely open-minded. Both keepers and ad-
ministrative personnel have openly expressed their opinions and some
interesting - if sometimes heated - discussions have resulted.

Among the topics v/hich have thus far been discussed ares breeding of
cheetahs in captivity, estrus activity and cycling in black and
Indian rhinoceros, mortality in new arrivals of selected species,
behavior of wild and captive Saki monkeys, captive husbandry and
breeding of imprinted psittacines, and breeding crocodilians in
captivity.

Not only has this program provided an interesting educational alter-
native to normal lunch-hour activities, but we feel it has also pro-
vided a valuable forim for relaxed and open communications between
keepers and aditiinistrabive personnel.

UNEXPECTED ORANGUTAN BIRTH AT COMO PARK ZOO by Lee Mary Agness, St®

Paul, Mn,

Early on the morning of March 27, 1976 a nevfborn orangutan was found
alive and well in the orang exhibit. The mother orang "Ginger” had
shown no .signs of pregnancy prior to the birth. The bab y orang,
"Robin", is the fourth offspring of the zoo’s adult male "Yogi" and
Ginger.

61

BUFFALO ZOO CHAPTER NEWS by Richard E, Grudzien

On March 13, 1976 the Buffalo Zoo chapter of AAZK held its annual
officer election. The results of our election arei Karen Gridstas,
Presidenti Richard Grudzien, Sec,/Treas,; Jeff Perry, Program Chair-
man, We wish our new officers good lucki

For approximately the last six months our chapter has been trying to
establish a keeper exchange program and it seems we have succeeded.
Within the next few months the plans should be finalized to start an
exchange program w’ith the Metro Toronto Zoo, VJe feel that a keeper
exchange program will benefit both zoos and be a good learning
program for our keepers. The exchange keeper will be able to observe
different zoo operations and keeping methods. During his stay at the
zoo, the person will be able to address the AAZK and exchange ideas
and methods of animal keeping.

We hope other chapters will think about forming keeper exchange pro-
grams as it will benefit their zoo and keepers,

AWLMAL DEALER ORDERED TO STOP VIOLATING ANIMAL WELFARE RULES USDA

A Norco, California dealer in zoo animals has b?en ordered by a
federal administrative law judge to cease and desist*’ from viola-
tions of the Animal Welfare Act with which he had been charged by the
U,S, Department of Agriculture.

William Hampton had asked for a hearing with the judge following a 10
count charge issued in June, 1974® At the hearing, held Feb. 11,
the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA agreed to
drop three counts in its charge. The a.llegations involved the ship-
ment of a Bengal tiger.

The order, which has the effect of a permanent injunction, forbids
Mr, Hampton from operating as a deal<^rj without a USDA license^ using
substandard animal shipping cages,; neglecting proper storage of feed
and bedding; leaving monkeys outdoors without shelter; using sub-
standard monkey cages at the premises; allowing his premises to be-
come dirty and fall into disrepair; and letting manure accumiilate to
the extent that it becomes a hazard, MaximuiTi penalties for violating
the order are $500,00 per day for each viol.ation.

62

.^OKEEPING A PROFESSIONAL CAREER? by Ed Roberts, Walter D. Stone

Memorial Zoo, Boston, Ma.

Recently I was asked to represent the zoo profession at our local
senior high school as part of their ’’Horizons Unlimited” career day.
There were some 30 businesses represented, running the gamut from the
military to radio broadcasting,

I got my share of questioning about the zoo profession! Most of them
were interested in the veterinary aspect, but those who did ask me
about zookeeping seemed genuinely interested in this type of work.

All of them wanted to know if they needed a college education in
zoology to work with animals. This is how I put it to them. ’'It’s
great to be able to get that little sheepskin with a degree in any
of the anxmal sciences, but that alone should not be a requirement
for the keeper profession. Seven- tenths of the job can be learned
on the job. The more eager you are to learn, to research where your
particular animals come from, to learn their nutritional and dietary
needs, and to learn maintenance is critical to them, the better keeper
you will make.

How you go about under the direction of a good keeper taking care of,
handling, cleaning and observing these animals is also very important.
Another important thing is motivation and temperament for the one vrho
enters this field. Generally we find that those who have worked on
farms and are tuned in to the heavy labor and are used to working
aroimd farm animals, usually make good zoo people. They trust all
the animals and rarely have any favorites, treating them all more or
less alike. Many others think that the zoo profession is all glitter
and romance like they sometimes see on T.V. This is far from the
truth. In essence, zookeeping is more or less, if you will allow me
the use of the word, janitorial. Since cleanliness is a greater part
of the job and because you want your exhibits you work in to look
presentable to the public it is a matter of pride. It also shows your
superiors that you are taking a keen interest in your work and in the
welfare of the animals. You find out that animals live longer because
there is less chance of infection in a clean area. After a while,
you can start sensing, even by smell, that something is not right with
the animal. It all takes time, patience, understanding and fortitude.
As you progress you become more knowledgeable. For reference material
you can always go to the library. It is an excellent source of inf or-

(con't)

63

mation on wild animals* Other keepers and the AKF are good sources of
reference on captive animals* Check The Merck Veterinary Manual for
animal illnesses* Tour Head Keeper, Curators and Director are and
shou3.d always be ready to answer any questions you may throw at them,
Thats hov>r they learned and thats how you can learn* The Management
of Wild Mammals In Captivity by Lee S. Crandall, is a must for all
zoo people. National Geographic has excellent documentaries within
its pages which can clue you in on many animals.

So you want to be a keeper? I’ll tell you something. You’ll never
get righ on this kind of a job. But the riches and rewards you do
get are bountiful. You sweat over a sick animal you have been tak-
ing care of and with your help it regains it’s health. You can
never explain in works the satisfaction you get and you can’t measure
it in terms of money.

You talk to groups of people about certain animals, even one species
that you have decided to specialize in and you watch the reaction of
the people to your words. There is your reward as you see these
people hang on to every word you’re saying. They know that you know.
Don’t let anyone tell you this job isn’t worth it!

In spite of all that people say about the smells, the dangers, the
pay, the arguments, the gripes, the holiday and week-end work
schedules and the unappreciative public, zookeeping is a tremendously
rewarding and exciting experience,”

PAST ISSUES OF AKF AVAILABLE FOR MEMBERSHIP RECRUiT^€NT
Recently the Lincoln Park AAZK Chapter requested a supply of extra

COPIES OF PAST ISSUES (ASSORTED MONTHS) OF AKF TO USE IN RECRUITING
NEW MEMBERS, ThERE IS STILL A LIMITED SUPPLY OF OLD AKFS AVAILABLE
FOR THIS PURPOSE. If YOUR CHAPTER IS INTERESTED IN OBTAINING 20 - 25
COPIES, OR IF YOU ARE ORGANIZING A CHAPTER, SEND YOUR REQUEST TO AKF,

635 Gage Blvd., Topeka, Ks. 66606. Attn: Judie Steenberg. Remember

THERE IS A LIMITED SUPPLY - OON'T DELAY, WRITE NOWl

64

AAZK '76 Conference

Will dc held in San Diego, California from August 23 - 27- Conference
Headquarters v/ill be the Sheraton Airport Inn on Sbel Harbor Island in
downtown San Diego, The registration of $30.00 per person will include
BANQUET, cocktail RECEPTION, LUCHEONS, ETC.,

The ROOM rates are as follows; Singles ~ $21,00, Twin or Double -
$26.00, Suites - $75«*^0 (the rates do not include room tax).

Mike Dee and Steve Taylor will be handling the conference program.
Material for the program should be sent to Mike at Western Ave,,
Glendale, CA 91201.

THOSE WISHir^ TO PRESENT PAPERS, SLIDES OR FILMS SHOULD SEND
INFORMATION ON THE TITLE, SUBJECT OF M.ATERIAL AND EQUIPNENT
REQUIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MIKE.

ART AUCTION AT SAN DIEGO

At this time we are anticipating holding an art auction following the
banquet at San Diego, These auctions have been highly successful in
the past, and we expect nothing less this year* Save all your objects
d'art, make a few, buy a few. And bring ^em to the Art Auction at
San Diego S

AAZK fCNBERSHtP INFORMATION

Affiliate (Keepers), Associate, and Foreign dues 10,00 annually

Student dues,,, 5**^^ annually

Contributing member dues ,$25*00 annually

Supporting Life member,. ,$200.00

Make checks payable to; AlCRICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS,
AAZK membership includes subscription to the monthly newsletter.

Animal Keepers* Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPER; Journal
OF THE American Association of Zoo Keepers, All members receive an

AAZK SHOULDER PATCH AND A MEMBERSHIP CARD GOOD FOR FREE ADMISSION TO
MANY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA.

Send name and address and check or money order to; AAZK, 635 Gage
Blvd,, Topeka, Ks. 66606.

65

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 6

JUNE 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edjted by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue
Topeka Zoological Park 635 Gage Boulevard Topeka, Kansas 66606

Keepers’ Forum” is a non-profit monthly publication distri-

5UTEO TO PROFESSIONAL ZOO KEEPERS INDEPENDENTLY AND BY THE AMERICAN

Association of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members, "Animal
KEEPERS* Forum” includes news and official announcements of the AAZK,

AAZK Board of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D,C, Ff^ESIDEM'

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks, V I CL- PRESS DEMI

Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks, EXECUTIVE SECRETARY

Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma*

Pat Sass, Chicago, Sl,

Articles in this publication may be reprinted with the permission of
THE authors. Credit to "Animal Keepers' Forum" is requested.

Questions for Or. Patton’s Nutrition Column may be sent to the editors

w-.- ■ I I I - TiTi-wnWriirrui i w ii~i« iinr rii- i

[ MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
I EDITC^S, THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS FiAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
I THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF "ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM".

DEADLINE FOR THE JULY ISSUE IS 20 JUNE

OVERTON PARK ZOO ANIMAL KEEPER ATTACKED Ifeiti^his, Tenn.

Debbie Blackwell remains in critical condition in a Memphis hospital
after being kicked by a female giraffe on 5 May 1976.

Miss Blackwell, 27, had entered the giraffe enclosure in an attempt
to free a 5 month old baby giraffe that had become cau^t in a barrier.
The baby died of suffocation before it could be freed. According to
witnesses, Miss Blackwell mi^t have saved the youngster had not the
mother intervened, and kicked her to the ground. Miss Blackx^ell then
got up but the giraffe kicked her to the ground again and apparently
stepped on her head. Miss Blackwell is in a coma v;ith an injury
described as a brain stem bruise. Her condition appears stable,
h©wever. The staff of Animal Keepers * Forum extend its %i'ishes to
Debbie's family, friends, and co-workers for her smooth and swift
recovery.

FEEDING BANDED KRAITS by Art Moore, Baltimore Zoo, Baltiasore, Md,

On July i, 1974 two banded kraits (Bvingarus fasclatus) were hatched
at the Baltimore Zoo's Reptile House. They are doing well, but feed
on nothing but small snakes, ^fembers of our staff collect ring-neck
and northern brown snalces and these are frozen until ready to be fed
to the kraits. At feeding tinKj, the small snakes are thawed and a
50 mg. capsule of Bionate (a dietary supplement) is inserted into
the mouth of each. The kraits accept these readily.

At times, mainly during the winter, our supply of small food-snakes
has dwindled. However, we always have a good supply of large frozen
rat snakes, which are used as food for our king cobra. We have found
that the kraits will accept four or five inch sections cut from the
tails of these larger snakes. For added nutriment, a dead 10-12 day
old mouse is sewn to the end of each severed tail with ordinary
cotton thread. In this way we have been able to keep our young kraits
well-fed during shortages of small food-snakes.

66

AI^IMAL NUTRITION by Dr, Richard S, Patton , Director of Professional

Education, Mark Morris & Associates, Topeka, Ks.

Question; What is all the concern about thiamin levels in animals fed
fish?

Answer ; Certain fish contain an antithiamin factor. In the active
form it cleaves the thiamin molecule and leaves the food it is in de-
void of thiamin (vitamin Bj) „ This has come to light only recently
in the science of nutrition and was precipitated largely by problems
in the mink ranching industry in the "iOs. Mink fed fish that con-
tained thiaminase, or in extrena cases even nonthiaminase fish that
have been consuadrig thlaminase-active fish, develop a disease, called
Chastek paralysis and show the nondescript signs of anorexia, weakness,
incoordination, paralysis and ultimately death. Animals showing these
signs respond dramatically to parenteral administration, some Limes
recovering 100% in an hour or less.

I'lild cooking (2 min. at 93° C or 5 nd-ti, at 82° C) destroys the thia-
minase and makes fish safe to feed. However, the situation is iisual-
ly circumvented by profiding suppleit^ntal thiamin. To put thiamin
capsules into the fish is not the best approach. The supplemental
vitamin should be fed as far smay in time as possible from the time
of fish feeding. Remember that most creatures need thiamin in the
diet on the order of parts per aiillion and to slug them daily with a
couple of grams is v^asteful and possibly harmful.

A very well referenced list of thiaminase containing fish is contain-
ed in the NRC booklet on the Nutritional Requirements of Mink and
Foxes, Soma of the more common thiaminase positi.ve fish are anchovies,
white bass 5 butterfish, carp, catfish, heri'ing (Baltic and Atlantic) ,
mackerai (Pacific), menhaden, shad, snslt and suckers.

The following species do not contain thiaminase; bass (large and
small mouth and rock), bluegill, chub, cod, haddock, hake, herring
(Lake Superior), mackerai (Atlantic), perch, pike, smelt (pond),
squid, trout (brown, lake, rainbow) and walleye.

The exacting molecular characteristics of the carp antithiamin are
described in the literature and can be obtained by those interested.

67

Regardless of the animal, if its major dietary component is fish that
contain thiaminase, the use of supplemental thiamin would be indicat-
ed. As a guide, 20 micrograms, or .02 mg,, are needed, per kilogram
of body vreight. This would mean, for example, that a 1,000 lb. polar
bear needs 9 mg. total. Because it would not be evenly distributed
throu^out the food, absorption may be impaired and to increase the
dosage 10% would not be harmful.

BREEDERS OF ENDANGERED SPECIES TO BE HELPED BY PROPOSED PvEGULATIONS

Zoos breeding endangered species will be helped by new regulations
proposed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The regulations,
proposed recently in the Federal Register, simplify the process of
transferring ownership of certain endangered species xfhich are being
bred in captivity. Interested persons have until July 6, 1976, to
comment on the proposal.

The proposed regulations would determine that "Captive, Self-Sustain-
ing Populations" of the following endangered species have been attain-
ed in the United States; tiger, leopard, jaguar, ring-tailed lemur,
black lemur, brown-eared pheasant, Edward’s pheasant, Humes pheasant
(bar-tailed pheasant). Mikado pheasant, Palawan peacock pheasant,
Swinhoe pheasant, white-eared pheasant, Nene goose, Hawaiian duck,
Laysan teal, masked Bobwhite quail. The regulations would set up a
greatly simplified system of permitting qualified persons to buy or
sell these species for purposes that would not result in the import ,
export, or death of the animal or the loss of its reproductive ability.
The regulations also provide for a recordkeeping system sufficient to
enable the Service to monitor the well-^being of the captive popula-
tions ,

The Service considered data provided largely by the American Game
Bird Breeders Cooperative Federation and the International Species
Inventory System of the American Association of Zoological Parks and
Aquariums in making these proposals.

68

Reptile & Amphibian Potpourri Trooper waish. National zoological

— "■“*“ Park, Washington, D.C.

At the N.Z.P. Reptile Division, we are experimenting with photo-
period, temperature and humidity variables in an effort to reproduce
selected reptile species.

In the last installment, Bela Demeter pointed out how spraying some
reptiles can be helpful to them. In addition to spraying animals,
there are other ways to create greater humidity and warmer temper-
atures. In our crocodile ejdiigit we use tin^d misters, skylights
(for photoperiod) , hot air blowers and subsurface heating systems to
effectively duplicate the climate condition of a tropical rainforest.
Working in these areas for any length of time is esdiausting to us ,
but the crocodiles apparently appreciate it.

Our Emerald tree boas (Corallus canina) are misted twice daily. The
top of their breeding cage which has a movable polyethelene cover
(humidity shield) is kept covered during the day and is opened at
* night. A heat tape on a timer goes on at about the san^ tiiEe the
^ shield is put in place following the morning misting. The average
daytime temperature is 86 degrees and the misting produces conden-
sation on the glass. The Emeralds appear content in this hot, humid
environment.

In the evenings the shield is lifted, the heat system clicks off, and
the animals are misted a second time . From then until the early
morning hours, the Emeralds are most active and alert. The faster
the temperature and humidity drop, the mere active they become. The
average night temperature is 75 degrees. The evening cycle also gives
the specimens and cage a chance to air out and dry off.

In my private collection I have noticed six different Green tree
pythons (Chondropython \dridis) drinking water from their own backs
just after the morning misting. Their dorsal scales collect the mist
into large beads of water..' The front of a tree python face is flat
and angled so that hardly any liquid is lost when the lips touch the
droplets. I have seen these snakes go up and down their own backs
drinking as thoiigh they were eating com on the cob. Although these
specimens also drink from x^ater bowls, they obtain most of their
liquids this way.

69

I have found that this temperature and humidity control system may
be beneficial in many ways, Eioerald tree boas and Green tree pythons,
for instance, can be problem feeders and generally will not defecate
regularly or shed properly. With this climate control system I have
had great success solving all three problems. Ninety percent of the
defecations occur soon after the evening misting when the heat and
light systems shut off, and the shield is opened. I have found that
the tree pythons are most inclined to search for and take food immedi-
ately after defecation.

This year, I’ve been breeding Garden tree boas (Boa hortulana) using
similar climate controls as those used for my tree pythons. I have
observed iry nuniier one male copulating with three different females ,
usually soon after the evening misting and cooling processes have
begun ,

Species from different climatic regimes require varying amounts of
temperature, humidity and photoperiod to stimulate and fulfill their,
annual cycles. It is important to recreate these san^ conditions for
captive specimens in confined quarters . Too much humidity per daily
cycle is not good... skin and bacterial problems often result. That ^
is why it is necessary to have a set tinsi each day when the cage and
and its inhabitants can dry off.

These have been jtist a few ideas I have used with siy animals at home
and at the N.Z.P. I’m sure some of you have ideas and comments of
your own. Please write to us with your thou^its and opinions.

AAZK CHAPTER INVENTORY

Dennis Grimm of the Brookfield Zoo and Coordinator for Chapter Affairs
is compiling an inventory of all the AAZK chapters in the nation. He
needs to have the information before the conference in San Diego. He
asks the presidents of each chapter to submit the following information
to him at the Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, II, 60513; total membership;
approximate active members; present officers in the chapter; function
of chapter, including... meetings, past, present and future projects;
insight on the chapter’s future involvement in national AAZK affairs;
degree of cooperation with host zoo.

70

OF BANGKOK, BAZAARS and BANTENGS by Tom Goldsberry, Portland Zoo,

Portland, Or.

Saturday afternoon. The scene is Phadrane Ground, one of Bangkok’s
largest and most popular market-bazaars . Since early laoming people
have walked, driven and hitched rides to reach the market for a week-
end of buying, selling and trading.

In an open space near the food vendors , children play tag with cobras
while parents watch unconcerned. These kids are not snake charmers.
The snakes are not de-fanged. To them it is merely a game; grab the
hissi.ng snake and throw it at a friend.

The noise of the kids vs. the snakes is soon lost as you drift further
into the bazaar. Produce form nearby farms is abundant as are many
varieties of flowers, which the Thais are passionately fond of. Then
there are the animals. Puppies, kittens, silky chickens, bantams,

.and , above all , birds ,

Perhaps 1000 or ii^re birds may be seen on any given bazaar day at
Phadrane Ground. Barbets, grackles, woodpeckers, parakets , lories
and many more species are piled in cages six higli like crates of
apples. It’s enough to make any bird curator or keeper’s mouth water.

J’jst for the hell of it, I asked one of the bird vendors who spoke
good English, if he had any tigers. With a lascivious grin that used
to be associated only with Par3.sian post-card sellers he replied, ”l£
you want them,” That sent a chill down my spinel According to
Itountfort (1973), the estimated pop’olation of the Chinese tiger.

Pan there tigris corbetti , was 600, and most of these are confined to
Malaysia, I could imagine soh^ "agent” going off into the bush, bliss-
fully blasting the heesd off a tigress, bringing the cubs back and put-
ting them up for sale like furry Hershey bars.

After that little episode it was a welcome change to visit the Snake
Farm at the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute, operated by the Science
Division of the Red Cross of Thailand. This was the second snake
farm established in the world and was officially opened November 22,
1923. The main function of the Institute is the manfacture of vaccine
and serums.

71

Thailand, being a tropical country, abounds with snakes of great var-
ieties, poisonous as well as hannless. Each year a large number of
casualties are caused by venomous snakebite. Venomous snakes are
brouj^it in alive by snakecatchers who are farmers by profession, and
they are purchased at prices varying x^ith size and species.

Posisonous snakes found in Thailand are the cobra, Naja naja; king
cobra, Na.ja hannah; banded krait , Bungarus fasciatus; Russel’s viper.
Viper a russeli ; a few species of pit vipers and some species of sea
snakes. Venom extraction is demonstrated to the public at regularly
scheduled hours.

No visit to Thailand for anyone in the zoo business is complete with-
out a visit to the Dusit Zoological Park, the national zoo of Thailand.
Located on the fringes of Bangkok, the Dusit Zoo occupies about forty
acres of land that once belonged to the royal family.

The zoo now boasts a fine collection of Asian cattle, including the
banteng. Bos banteng; gayal. Bos frontalis birmanicus ; serow,
Capricomis sumatraensis ; eleven species of felines? lesser mouse ^
deer, Tragulus juanicus | Malayan wild dog, Cuon alpinus ; and the
larger bamboo rat, Rhlgomys suioatraensis . There are over 1000 species
in all .

A lagoon, where visitors may feed the huge carp swinming there; a
’’Happyland” children’s zoo, complete with playground and concession
stands; a spacious aviary, and an admission fee of twenty and ten
cents for adults axid children respectively, make the Dusit Zoo a bar-
gain in any language.

I spent two pleasant afternoons with the director. Professor Duan
Bimnag. He is a former Utah State student, who taught agriculture in
northeast Thailand before accepting the position of zoo director two
years ago.

As we sat in his marble-tiled office, with a Buddhist shring in one
comer, and sipped iced tea, Mr. Bmnag reiterated the problems of
zoos everywhere™ maintenance, rock throwers and money. The Dusit
Zoo receives no municipal support but is supported entirely by admiss-
ion fees. Naturally this places a heavy burden on a zoo located in a
country with an average annual rainfall of more than eighty-five inch-

72

es , and the zoo may go for days without a paying customer. Professor
Bunnag takes all of this in stride and says he will, '*Make a better
zoo so people will come even when it is raining." His future plans
include a calliope and a merry-go-round for the children's zoo, more
African exhibits, and a general renovation of the zoo.

There are 130 people employed at the zoo, about one-half of whom are
keepers. Keepers begin at the usual low wage and twenty steps later
they finally attain the top wage. This process usually takes twelve
to fifteen years depending on the keeper’s ability. All health bene-
fits are provided for the keeper and his family, including his mother
and father from the day he begins. School fees for children up to
age twenty are paid for by the zoo.

Senior staff personnel include three veterinarians, two veterinarians
with certificates (veterinarian technicians) , two persons with agri-
culture certificates, txs^o X'/ith architectural certificates, and four
people with degrees in finance.

Outside of the administration building stands a bronze statue of a
’Schomburgk deer, a species once common in Thailand, but extinct for
thirty years. I saw a dozen huge racks of this magnificent ^imal
and wondered of what a sight they must have been back in 1864 when
Anna Leonowens , the peripatetic English school teacher, took on the
job of educating the king’s children. The royal palace is still there;
the temples are timeless; but the once numerous canals are slowly be-
ing reclaimed as population and motor traffic increase; and, of course,
the deer are gone. Ansa wouldn’t know the old town now.

27 PRIMATES TO BE LISTED AS EHDANGERED OR THREATENED USDI

About 35 percent of the world’s monkey species are in deep troubl§,
according to a recent survey of the 150 living primate species by the
USDI’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The study resulted in a pro- —
posal to list an additional 27 primates as either endangered or threa-
tened. That would raise to 55 the total number of primates listed by
the U.S.

Ten of the species occur in Asia, eleven come from Africa and Latin
America hosts six. Military activities, habitat destruction, bio-
nedical research, the pet trade and the use of some primates as food
for man are given as the principle reasons for their decline.

73

SPECIES

STATUS PROPOSED

Francois' leaf monkey endangered

Lesser slow loris threatened

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey "

Stumptail macaque

Philippine tarsier "

Formosan rock macaque "

Japenese macaque
Toque macaque
Purple- faced langur
L on g-t ailed langur

Diana monkey en.dasigei’ed

Red-eared spot-nosed nwnkey '

Red-bellied monkey ”

L'hoest's monkey ”

White-collared roangabey '

Black colob us

Mandrill ”

Drill

Gelada baboon threatened

Chimpanzee

Pygmy chimpanzee

Cotton-top Marmoset endangered

Pxed tamarxn

Yellow-tailed wooly monkey

White-footed tamarin threatened

Lazy howler monkey
Squirrel monkey

"HUSBANDRY AND PROPAGATION OF CAPTIVE REPTILES" is a symposium to be
held on 24 July, 1976 at Hood College, Frederick, Maryland. It is a
one day symposium starting at 8:00 a.m. and running to 6:00 p.m. The
program material is primarily aimed at zoo keepers and private collect-
ors. Registration fee is $25.00 and includes lunch and two coffee
breaks. Pre-registration forms may be obtained by writing or phoning:
Director, Catoctin Mountain Zoo, Rt, 3, Box 126, Thurmont , Maryland
21788. Phone (301) 271-7488.

74

KEEPERS AND COMMUHICATIQN - Part III Getting The Word Out by Judie

Steenber, Topeka Zoo

Are you communicating your ideas , information aiid the knowledge you
have acquired to others? If not, why not? You have something to say;
don't be stopped because you think you can't give a talk to a group
or put your ideas down on paper. If you have any desire at all to
communicate in these ways, you can learn to. The key to oral and
written communication is YOU. If you want to, you can do it. Others
already have simply because they had something they wanted to com-
municate .

Probably the most difficult means of communication is public speaking,
and yet, it can be most effective. A few years ago a Speakers'

Bureau I belonged to had the good fortune to have the Director of a
locaJ. theater speak to them on "How to Speak to an Audience". Follow-
ing are his ideas on public speaking. I

i

A survey of more than 2Q ,000 business Esn taking a speech course in-
dicated three general problems s 1. stage fright, 2, how to organize
their thoughts, and 3, how to speak clearly and convincingly. j

Stage fright is almost ’jniversal with speakers. For some it is minor
and with others nKsnumental. But, in any case, it cannot be avoided,
it is a reality and must be controlled, not eliminated. It is anal-
ogous to an athlete "being up" for an important game. Stage fri^t |
is a natural reaction to a situation. Your n^tabciic rate increases
because you have an added need for alertness and strength. Take ad-
v.antage of it, use the added energy to get into the game so to speak...
The anxiety begins to leave as you begin to speak. You can learn to ;
control the physical and usntal mariifestations of stage fright. .j

Physically, i^se that energy to take a firm hold of a chair, podium or |
table; push your feet into the floor; clasp your hands tightly be-
hind your back- - don't be afraid of it... use iti Does your throat
get tight?.., hum a bit. Do you feel like you can’t breath?... hold |
your breath for 30 seconds, it's guaranteed you'll have no trouble
taking a breath. These aren’t tricks but simple basics... and they
work. To deal with the mental aspect of stage fright... remember,
you have son^thing to say... you don’t have to give that talk but
you have an idea or information you want to share , and THAT is what
is important. Get up there and establish eye contact with your

75

audience before you start to speak. It reminds them that you are
sincere and have son^thing to say.

Organizing your thou^ts in preparing your speech is an important
step. Know your material, study it, be sure of yourself! Ask your-
self these questions and answer them in writing.

1. I-That is my viewpoint? (general purpose for speaking),

2. What do I want to accomplish, what are my objectives.

3. Who is my audience? (must he asked every time the speech is given,
no two audiences are alike.)

4. Vfhat brings them together, what is their comioon interest?

5. What knowledge do they have of my subject? (what have they read,
heard or experienced) .

6. I^at is thisr attitude?

7. What can I expect from the audience? (there will be different
expectations with different audiences) . Analyze each audience
on the number, age, education and experience.

Use the interest of your audience as the base to build your speech on
and make it interesting to them. Get them on the first few sentences
by appealing to their interest, revealing the importance of the sub-
ject or by creating suspense. Avoid jokes unless they relate to the
subject. The human mind remembers best what it perceives at the be-
ginning and the end of a message rather than in the middle. Use the
middle to reinforce. Your closing lines should tie in to the opening
sentence if possible.

Having a clear and convincing delivery will add to the impact of your
speech. Good speakers are not those mth good voices (golden tones)
but those who have an interesting delivery, sound natural and are
easy to understand. Pause before and after important ideas and change
tempo; increase the speed of delivery when excited or covering infor-
mation easily understood, decrease when making a definite point.

Change your volume to emphasize ideas but also use contrast ~ a whis-
per can have tremendous effect and prevents monotony. Underscore im-
portant words with a pause, volume or pitch.

There are several common problems that speakers come up against but
they all have solutions. (con't next page)

76

~ I'Jben using slides ^ if at all possible work from the front of the
room. Even without eye contact you can relate to the audience
better. Lead into the slides, explain what they intend to cover
before beginning.

"• Lapse of memory - recogiiise it, deal with it and go on to the next
point .

- Time liroit - cover fewer points well.

“ Paranoia of peer group - be prepared, know your material well and
get rid of the feeling, YOU have been asked to speak. Acknowledge
that there are. others present who also know about your subject but
you are there to give your ideas,

- Children's attention span - talk to them as people - don't be phony,
watch your vocabulary.

” Coiiblnation audiences - children and adults. Go with your primary
purpose, if necessary acknowledge the children's ixnpatience and go
on.

~ Written speech - will give you confidence in having 'prepared it but
leave it at home.

“ Don’t know an answer? ~ admit it, then offer to find out. It will
gi\re added authority to your other answers.

~ A quaver itx your voice? - So what! - what you have to say is more f
important - be enthusiastic. i

- SigTials you are losing an audience are noise, restlessness, sleep- ii

ing. Wrap it up. I

- Inquiry method - ok to use, in fact for soma audiences it is DXjre

effective, but takes longer. Be sure to have the answers and be !
able to redirect questioning, !

Be careful to follow the "don'ts” wdien giving a talk, such asj do not i
txy to give all data to everyone and over communicate, don't shift ^
contexts, mingle ideas and confuse your audience, don't mumble or |
gesture to the distraction of your audience, do not laugh to conceal
your lack of information or wander through your dissertation in a
disorganized manner. j

Most importantly be prepared! Determine your purpose, analyze your
audience, evaluate the situation, organize your material and then go
to it with a clear, convincing delivery and enthusiasm. You have
something important to say.

77

AAZK '76 Conference

Will be held in San Diego, California from August 23 - • Conference

Headquarters will be the Sheraton Airport Inn on Shel Harbor Island in
DOWNTOWN San Diego. The registration of ^"^0,00 per person will include

BANQUET, COCKTAIL RECEPTION, LUCHEONS, ETC...

The room rates are as follows s Singles - $21.00, Twin or Double »
$26.00, Suites » $75*^0 rates do not include room tax).

Mike Dee and Steve Taylor will be handling the conference program.
Material for the program should be sent to Mike at n4l Western Ave.,
Glendale, CA 9*201.

THOSE WfSHI?^ TO PRESEf^ PAPERS, SLIDES OR FILMS SHOULD SEND
INFORKATION ON THE TITLE, SUBJECT OF MATERIAL AND EQUiP^C^^^

REQUIRED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO MIKE.

THINGS TO REMEMBER

* There will be a post-conference tour of the Los Angeles Zoo hosted
by Mike Dee, on Friday August 27, 1976,

* If you have a paper or film for the conference please notify Mike
as soon as possible to allow time for preparation of a conference
program.

* Don't forget to send articles for the AAZK journal to the AKF
editors. Deadline for THE KEEPER Vol. II, 1976 is 1 September 1976.

AAZK NCMBERSHIP INFC^HATION

Affiliate (Keepers), Associate, and Foreign dues 10.00 annually

Student dues 5*00 Annually-

Contributing MEMBER DUES,,.,,,.. ... ..................... $25. 00 ANNUALLY

Supporting Life member.. $200. 00

Make checks payable tos AMERICAN ASSCCfATION OF 200 KEEf^RS.

AAZK MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER,

Animal Keepers' Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPER; Journal
OF THE American Association of Zoo Keepers. All members receive an
AAZK SHOULDER patch and a membership card good for free admission to
MANY zoos and AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA.

Send name and address and check or money order toj AAZK, 635 Oage
Blvd., Topeka, Ks. 66606.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 7

JULY 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edited by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue
Topeka Zoological Park 635 Gage Boulevard Topeka, Kansas 66606

"Animal Keepers’ Forum" is a non-profit monthly publication distri-
buted TO professional zoo keepers independently and by the American
Association of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members, "Animal
keepers’ Forum" includes news and opficial announcements of the AAZK.

AAZK Board of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D.C, PRESIOEMF
Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks. VICE-PRESIDENT
Rick Steenberg, Topeka, Ks. EXECUTIVE SECRETARY
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma .

Pat Sass, Chicago, II.

Articles in this publication may be reprinted with the permission of
THE authors. Credit to "Animal Keepers’ Forum" is requested.

Questions for Dr. Patton’s Nutrition Column may be sent to the editors

— — — — . , ,, — —

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REV IB-.' BY THE
EDITORS. THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF "ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM".

DEADLINE FOR THE AUGUST ISSUE IS 20 JULY

159 MOKE ANIMALS LISTED AS ENDANGERED USDI News Release June 14, 1976

The Asian elephant, harpy eagle, Przewalskis horse and all Hylobates
gibbons are aniong 159 animals that have been added to the U.S. endan-
gered species list by the USDI’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The
endangered list now includes 585 animals. The rulemaking and a complete
list of species was published in the June 14, 1976, Federal Register.

Sixty-one mammals, 38 birds, 2 fish, 24 mollusks , 28 reptiles and 6
amphibians are included in the list, representing every continent.

As with other "endangered" species, the major impact of this action
will be on those persons who deal in interstate comn^rca with the
species (or their parts or products) . Tiie list includes many animals
found in zoos, including crocodilians , pythons, various psittacines ,
numerous primates, spotted cats and large mammals. For more details
consult the June 14, 1976, Federal Register.

THE WORLD’S OLDEST CAPUCHIN IS DEAD by Harold G. Crooks, Mesker Park

Zoo, Evansville, In.

Jerry, the world’s oldest white-faced capuchin monkey in captivity is
dead. He died on April 12, 1976, at the age of 47 years, 11 months.

A necropsy revealed that gonadal and lymphatic cancer was the cause
of death.

Jerry came to Mesker Park Zoo in May 1929 , v/hen he was approximately
one year old. He was purchased from the late Mr. Clem Kevekordes, a
keeper at Mesker Park at that time.

Jerry was on exhibit at the zoo from 1929 until 1964. Due to his
advancing age, it was decided he would be better off in a quieter
area behind the scenes at the zoo. After his death, Jerry's body
was sent to Penrose Laboratory for their studies on longevity.

Although Jerry was twice the normal age for members of his species,
his longevity record is already being challenged by Bobo, another
white=faced capuchin at Mesker Park Zoo. Bobo is 41 years old now
and going strong.

79

EXECUTIVE SECRETARY RESIQJS

Rick Steenberg, Executive Secretary for the American Association of
Zoo Keepers since 1 January, 1975 has announced his resignation from
that post. His resignation was to take effect immediately. Through
Steenberg' s financial and organizational expertise, AAZK has become a
viable force in the zoo field. His efforts have been tremendous and
warmly appreciated by all who have been involved with AAZK. The AKF
staff joins the AAZK Board of Directors in extending heartfelt thanks
to Rick.

Chris LaRue, vice-president, will temporarily assume Rick's duties
mtil a permanent successor can be nan^ed.

SPEAKER PROGRAM WORKSHOP AT SAN DIEGO CONVENTION

We would like all chapters that have a spesiker program to bring to the
convention all relevant materials. This should include program request
forms, cover letters, profile sheets, evaluation forms, lists of topics,
etc. Bring several copies of each for distribution among participants.
If you have slide lectures on general topics such as endangered species,
etc. , bring the outline along also (not the actual slides) .

This workshop will be aimed at improving the quality of existing speaker
programs by exchanging ideas from different programs. We will also ex-
plore the possibilities of organizing a national speaker program that
could be presented to new or existing chapters in a package form. The
package would include sample forms as well as suggestions for implement-
ing a speaker program to meet local needs. AAZK could also have copies
made of selected slide lectures that would be offered to those chapters
wishing them, at a reasonable cost.

* AKF & AAZK T-shirts are no longer available from the Sedgewick *

* County Zoo. We hope to make these T-shirts available from a new *

* location as soon as possible. *

80

THE ZOO IN THE CLOUDS by Tom Goldsberry, Portland Zoo, Portland, Or.

Situated almost at the top of 1300 foot Victoria Peak, offering a com-
manding view of the world's fourth largest harbor and the South China
coast beyond, lies the Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Gardens.

Set in an English garden atmosphere, the Hong Kong Zoo provides a
pleasant respite from the noise and clamor for the city's 4,000,000
inhabitants .

This small (17 acres) but viable zoo is a prime example of a zoo that,
although it does not adhere to the "Zip”!, "Bang"!, "Wowie" ! formula
found in many present day zoos, still manages to accomplish the diffi-
cult twin tasks of conservation and recreation. It has no children's
zoo .

In 1975 the Hong Kong Zoo underwent major capital improvements with
the result being that all mammals are now housed in outdoor enclosures
that allows adequate public viev/ing, but also ensures the animal's
privacy. The new 2,000 square meter, open-topped enclosure for
flamingos is a delight to observe; and under the innovative and ener-
getic leadership of Mr. John Romer, Curator of Mammals, the zoo has
a breeding group of Ring-tailed lemurs, Lemur catta; and, possibly
for the first time in a tropical zoo, a pair of young North AiKirican
Cougars , Puma concolor. Other Diammals exhibited include the Chinese
porcupine, Hystrlxt hodgsoni; Cotton-top tamarins, Saquinus oedipus ;
and Celebes Black apes , Macaca nigra.

The bird collection now numbers more than 700 specimens , representing
about 300 species, including both local and exotic birds froai most
parts of the world. The liKZ is expecially proud of its record in
breeding the rare Palawan peacock, Polyplectron emphanum. For the
past ten years, Mr. K. Searle, Curator of Birds and the HKZ have
supplied zoos all over the w^orld with this outstanding species. Also
high on the list of breeding successes is the Argus pheasant, Argusianus
argus grayi. Other resident birds species of interest are the
Equatorial-cock-of“the-rock, Rupicola peruviana aequatorialis ;

Rothschild's ffynah, Leucospar rothschildi; Chinese pond heron, Ardeola
bacchus ; Himalayan Brey Peacock Pheasant , Polyplectron bicalcaratum
bakerl ; and the Chinese Babax, Bab ax lanceolatus .

81

As is usually the case, much of the credit for the zoo’s successful
breeding record must go to a keeper. In this case it is Mr. lu Muk,
a highly dedicated keeper who, althougii he has worked for seventeen
years in somewhat cramped and crowded conditions, still manages a wide
grin and a touch of pride while speaking of his birds in his broken
English, Assisting him for many of his seventeen years at the zoo is
his wife, who is classed as a laborer.

Incidentally, all bird signs are neatly painted in color on 4'’x6"
cards, encased in heavy durable plastic, and identified in English,
Latin and Chinese.

The keeper force consists of two senior charemen (senior keepers) one
each for birds and mammals; five laborers (keepers) under direct charge
of the two senior chargemen; and a Amenities Assistant, Class III, who
runs the zoo on a day-to-day basis. "Keepers" in Hong Kong parlance
are security guards, who are imiformed and have nothing to do with the
animals — sort of people keepers.

The Hong Kong Botanical and Zoological Gardens is a facility provided
by the Urban Council and admission is free.

# // # // // // # # # # // #

ZOO KEEPER mULED BY BEAR

A summer employe at the Washington Park Zoo in Michigan City, Ind,
suffered injuries to his left arm and severed tendons in his left leg
after being attacked by a Japanese black bear. Brain Bendix, 16, was
reported in fair condition after emergency surgery at a hospital.

The keeper had started to turn off the water hose after cleaning the
bear’s exhibit. The valve is located between the front of the bear’s
barred enclosure and the guard rail. The bear grabbed Bendix by the
left leg and pulled him against the bars.

82

Reptile & Amphibian Potpourri Reptile incubation by Sam Davis ,

National Zoo, Washington, D.C.

Incubation is one of the most important aspects of a reptile house.

In the not too distant future it may be a very important link in
sustaining a healthy reptile collection. I would like to share some
of our incubation methods that have been successful.

Many incubation methods have been tried at the NZP from plastic bags
and paper towels to an aquarium with sand. We now have hit upon a
method with which our success is rapidly improving. We use ten gallon
aquariums with sliding glass tops that insure maxium moisture retention
and are easy to clean. Two heat tapes placed lengthwise under each
aquarium are the heat source. Slate-bottomed aquariums seem to be best
for retaining heat. About 1>2*' of pea gravel are spread on the aquarium
bottom allowing less direct contact with the heat source and more sur-
face area for water retention. Distilled water is sprayed into the
aquarium when the pea gravel and the inside glass appear dry. Pint-
sized jars hold individual eggs half embedded in damp sand. The plas-
tic jar tops have holes aromd the perimeter allowing for air circ-
ulation. Water collecting on the tops drips through the holes into the
jar but not on the egg thus keeping the substrate damp. The jar method
also solves the problem of identifying which animal hatched from which
egg and, most important of all, no escapes.

The room the incubators are in is air conditioned, usually dark and
the incubators are kept between 80 and 85°F depending on the type of
eggs. Minimum-maximum thermometers placed in each incubator (laid on
the jar tops for best readings) are excellent for detecting any heat
problems .

Most eggs are handled freely. Some of the more sensitive ones, such
as python eggs, are handled with surgical gloves to prevent excessive
contact with skin oils. On occassion weM.l even dip eggs in a mild
chlorox solution, which gives a good bacterial protection.

For large python eggs 4" X 4" plastic food containers are used with a
Baccto Peat substrate, which retains moisture longer than sand and is
sterile. Since python eggs are too large for a top to go over them
the containers are left open. Wlien hatching is evident (slits in the
shell) the egg container is placed in an empty incubator till the

83

American Association

SAN DiEGO, CALIFORNIA AUGUST 23 - 27. 1976

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hatchling emerges. If more than one egg is hatching at a time and
you're running out of room, each egg is placed in a plastic bag.
Again, separating the speciit^ns is for ease of identification later.

After use, the tank, gravel and containers are disinfected and set
up again for further use. A few of the species we have hatched thus
far this year are; Leopard geckos, Burmese pythons, Indian pythons,
and Tegu lizards with still more to come,

// # # #

Tne writers of the RAP column ask for notes , suggestions and ideas
dealing with herptile husbandry. Questions or comments concerning
reptile pathology may also be sent, as the National Zoo maintains an
excellent pathology departraent . The submitting author need not pre-
pare a formal article. Material for the column may be sent to Bela
DeBBter, 4593-2 MacArthur Blvd. , N,W. Washington, D.C,, 20007,

*'L00K ALIKES'* TO BE TREATED AS ENDANGERED USDI News Release June 18, I91i

Three non-endangered species of sea turtles that look like their endan- •
gered cousins have been proposed as the first species to be treated as ^
endangered under the "SiTailarity of Appearance" clause of the Endanger- |
ed Species Act of 19 73. i

The proposal, published jointly with the National Marine Fisheries
Service of the Dapartiasnt of Contmerce in the Federal Register, would '

treat the green sea turtle, loggerhead sea turtle, and Pacific ridley i

sea turtle as "endangered" becaiise they so closely resemble three other
species already listed as endaiigered: the hawksbill, Atlantic ridley, j
and leatherback. The rulemaking is necessary because the endangered
turtles cannot properly be protected from commercial exploitation since
many specimens are captured each year and brought into the United States
mistakenly or fraudulently labeled as belonging to one of the three
look-alike species. Interested persons have until September 14, 1976,
to comment on the proposal.

86

SNOW LEOPARD CUB BEING HAND-RAISED Brookfield Zoo

A snow leopard bom 9 June, 1976 is being raised by Dr. Dan Laughlin,
the zoo’s veterinarian.

Because breast cancer necessitated a radical mastectomy two years ago
for the mother, she was unable to nurse her new... and 14th... baby.
Thus, at the cub’s birth, zoo staff members took it from the parents,
Lhasa and Ikaz, both 15. Since that time Laughlin and his wife, Pam,
have been caring for the male cub, which they named Shiva. The
Lau^lins have been bottle-feeding it iJg - 2 oz. of formula every 3
hours. The animal has since been removed from the incubator and
Laughlin is adding a teaspoon of a fortified feline meat diet to its
formula, ai\d has spaced the feedings to five times daily.

Snow Leopards, an endangered species, are found in south-central Asia
at heiglats of 10,000 to 20,000 feet. There the atitKDsphere is more
sterile than at lower altitudes. Suspecting that these leopards are
bom without .. .but must slowly aquire .. .immunity to bacteria of lov/er
altitudes, Laughlin and director Dr. George Rabb decided to suit pro-
cedure to the species. Instead of exposing the animal to the various
hospital staff that would normally handle it , the zoologists agreed
that the cub’s best chance for survival lay in the constant care of
one or two people, i.e. in Laugji Tin's home.

While rare for Brookfield, cases of hand-raising animals present a
problem of Imprinting, Lau^lin hopes to keep this problem to a min-
imum with Shiva. The vet and his wife handle the cub as little as
possible and are pleased that Shiva spits and growls at them. In 3
to 5 months, Laughlin hopes to introduce the cub to a female snow
leopard of the same age.

Zoos have met with very limited success in the breeding of snow
leopards and the raising of cubs. The Brookfield Zoo has 5 snow
leopards.

LIVING TROPHIES, by Peter Batten is a new book about zoos and the
conditions found in them. It is published by the Thomas Crowell Co.
Watch for a review of this controversial work next month, in the
August issue of Animal Keepers’ Forum.

87

KEEPERS MD CX)MMUNICATION - Part IV The Written Word by Judie

Steenberg, Topeka Zoo

Isn't there something you should be writing about? Either recording
in complete form for future reference or to be communicated to others
so they too may share in your ideas and benefit from them? You may
want to write to inquire, to inform or to persuade. These are three
basic forms of written communication that easily apply to Keepers.

Writing is really not all that difficult and with a few basic guide-
lines you too can be using this nedium to express yourself. To be
effective, written communications require organization and planning.

You must have an explicit meaning to begin with, a justification or
reason for your communication. With that as your starting point,
develop your message. Think about your readers and how they will re-
act to what you are saying. Talk their language. Use clear and simple
english and keep in mind the basic principles of writing, unity,
coherence and emphasis.

For unity be careful of sentence f ragiaentation , loose hook-ups, word
ommission and comma splices of main ideas. Coherence is the tying
together of main ideas and topics. Link words, phrases and sentences
so their intended meaning is clear. Emphasis gives power to the
statement of key ideas. Also, strive for accuracy. Check facts,
spelling, statistics and the overall appearan.ce of your copy.. Be
yourself throughout your writing.

Who is your reader? Why are you writing? To inquire, inform, per-
suade or perhaps entertain? Think before you wi'ite. Select a topic,
list its possibilities and select the most interesting. Organize
around a single subject and in a logical manner. Write in a way that j
you would enjoy reading. !

.An important part of writing is rewriting. There are veryf few people
who can sit down and write an article, report or technical paper with-
out editing and rewriting it, often several tines. The more important j
your nessage the more care you should take to get it across in the best
way. The great dangers of writing are wordiness (empty words and ex-
pletives) , meaningless repetition and clumsy overloading.

It helps to develop dictionary skills and you will need to spend some
time developing your ability to write, Remeber to read your work

several times. Did you enjoy it? Why or why not? These are importaOa^
questions to ask yourself.

Writing is a permanent, long-term method of communication. It is a
most valuable way to convey your ideas and share your knowledge.

In these four papers I have attempted to identify and comment on;

What communication is.

Why it needs careful attention

Wlien and where keepers are involved with it and

How to accomplish it .

Volumes have been written on the subject of communication. It is a
complex and vital part of all we do. And, it begins with YOU.

KOALAS TO ARRIVE AT THE SAN DIEGO ZOO

San Diego Zoo director Charles Bieler has announced that the govern-
ment of Australia is to present six koalas to the people of America
as part of its contribution to the Bicentennial celebration. The
koalas will be housed at the San Diego Zoo where they will join the
only existing koala colony outside of Australia.

The official announcement came from Australian Defense Minister D.
James Killen in Washington, D.C. He said, ”The Australian government
has decided on a ’once-only waiver’ of an embargo on the export of
koalas to make this special gift possible. Its decision was influ-
enced in part by the death earlier this year of Teddy, star of the
’I hate Qantas’ television comiresrcial and the only remaining male at
San Diego."

The six koalas , two males and four females , will come from the Lone
Pine Koala Sanctuary near the city of Brisbane. All six were bom in
captivity. It is felt this should improve chances of the Zoo breed-
ing a larger colony.

The Zoo’s koala colony began with the arrival of Cuddles and Snuggles
in 1925, In the 1950 ’s the Zoo received from the New South Wales
government four koalas which had been born at Sir Edward Hallstrom’s
animal preserve in New Guinea. Currently, three female koalas com-
prise the Zoo’s colony.

89

ANIMAL NUTRITIOH by Dr. Richard S. Patton ^ Director of Professional

Education, Mark Morris & Associates, Topeka, Ks.

Question: May I please have the "world famous" Philadelphia "zoo

cake" recipe? Is this used in diets other than primates?

Answer; The people at the Philadelphia Zoo have several "zoo cakes"
that they use. These are listed in IZY #6, I might suggest you
could have any questions concerning their exact use and formulation
answered by Dr. Pvobert Snyder, Director of the Penrose Research Labs.,
located at the Philadelphia Zoo. Historically, the Philly zoo is
avant-grade where nutrition is concerned.

Question ; I-Jhat are your thoughts about the addition of garlic to
psittacine diets? Keepers have been known to use it for worms in
macaws ,

Answer ; Garlic contains several compounds , among them alliin and
allicin. Alliin is related to the amino acid cysteine. When alliin
is cleaved by the specific enzyme allinase, the odor of garlic devel-
ops. Alliin has no known value, itself, except that the sulfur con-
taining amino acid can be limiting in some diets. The products of
the enzymatic process are antibacterial.

Personally, I see no harm in the use of modest amounts of garlic if
you're so inclined, but there are specific, proven remedies for
parasites in birds, which I would prefer.

DIRECTOR SPEAKS OUT ON EDUCATIONAL ROLE OF ZOOS

METRO TORONTO ZOO, May 3. — "In the past it was thou^t that having
animals in cages, accurately labelled, constituted an education for
the viewing public," Metro Toronto Zoo Director Dr. Philip Ogilvie
said this week in an address to the numbers of the Arizona-Sonora
Desert Museum in Tucson, Arizona, "We continue to teach meaningless
lists of scientific names, con^endiums of dietary, reproductive and
behavioral anecdotes," he went on, "and believe we have educated in
spite of all evidence to the contrary."

Wliat zoos must provide is "significant environmental education" for
this is our "only hope for change in man's detrimental exploitation
of environment".

90

WWF CONGRESS SCHEDULED Outdoor News Bulletin

The World Wildlife Fund Fourth International Congress will meet in
San Francisco, California at the St. Francis Hotel, November 28- Dec-
ember 1, 1976, the Wildlife Management Institute reports. The Congress
theme is "THE FRAGILE EARTH: TOWARD STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL."

Conservationists from 26 nations and representatives from government
and industry will convene to discuss the principal issues affecting
the world environment. More than 1,000 people are expected to attend.

For further information, interested persons should contact The World
Wildlife Fund, 1319 Eighteenth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036.

Things To Remember:

* Seiid all articles for the AAZK journal to the AKF editors as soon as
possible. Deadline for articles for THE KEEPER Vol. II, 1976, is 1
September 1976.

* If you move please send us your new address. Bulk rate mail is not
forwarded and each returned nev/sletter now costs us 13<;: for postage.

AAZK ^EMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Affiliate (Keepers), Associate, and Foreign dues 10.00 annually
Student dues... 00 annually

Contributing member dues....... ,.$25.00 annually

Supporting Life member.,., ,$200.00

Make checks payable to: AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS.

AAZK MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER,

Animal Keepers* Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPER: Journal
OF the American Association of Zoo Keepers. All members receive an
AAZK SHOULDER patch and a membership card good for FREE ADMISSION TO
MANY zoos and AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S. AND CANADA.

Send name and address and check or money order to: AAZK, 635 Gage
Blvd., Topeka, Ks. 66606.

91

AM5RIGAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER B

AUGUST 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS'

Edited by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue

• 1'

Topeka Zoological Park 635 Gage Boulevard Topeka, Kansas 66606 USA

Animal Keepers* Forum is a non-profit monthly publication distributed
to professional zoo keepers independently and by the American Associa-
tion of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members^ Animal Keepers^

Forum includes news and official announcements of the AAZK.

y\AZK Board, of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D.C. ...... .PRESIDENT

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Ks . ...... .VICE-PRESIDENT

Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Ca.

Terry McDonald, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
•Ed Roberts, Boston, Ma.

Pat Sass, Chicago, II,

Articles in this publication may be reprinted with the periiil,ssion of
the authors. Credit to Animal Keepers’ Forum is requested.

Addltionai reprints may be requested by writing the editors.

FORUM

Deadline for each edition of AKF is the 20th of the preceding month.

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
EDITORS, THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM OR OF THE AAZK

OKAPIS AT BROOKFIELD

On July 5, Brookfield Zoo welcomed its second baby okapi this year.

The okapi filly, which weighed an estimated 60 pounds, was up on her
feet within 30 minutes after her birth. She has been observed romping
in the exhibit yard and nursing from mother Oseena.

The young okapi is the result of the mating 14 months ago of Oseena,
bom at Brookfield Zoo in 1966, and Uhuru, 7^2 > born in the Frankfurt
Zoo. The filly brings to six the number in Brookfield’s okapi herd.

Brookfield Zoo was, in 1959, the site of the first okapi birth in
America. Since that tin^ Brookfield has had li okapi births. The
1974 census counted 53 okapis in zoos of the world, 41 of which were
bom in captivity. That year in the United States there were 18 okapis,
15 of which were bom in captivity,

INDIAN RHIK0C.ER0US ARRIVES AT TORONTO Metro Toronto Zoo

A young male Indian Rhino cerous arrived at the Metro Toronto Zoo on
June 28. The animal was shipped from Hamburg, West Gemany on June
12. It is the first Indian Rhinocerous in Canada.

The five-year old rhino, named Vinu, was bom in the Ifysore Zoo in
India. He was purchased from the Ruhr Zoo in Gelsenkirchen, West
Germany for $51,000. He wei^s nearly 1,000 kg (2,200 lbs.).

A female Indian rhino is expected to arrive at the zoo later this
year or early next year.

AAZK AWARDS QIAIRMAN RESIGNS

John A. Siegal, Chairman of the AAZK Awards Committee has resigned
from that post effective immediately according to Bela Demeter, AAZK
President. Mr. Siegal has served AAZK faithfxally for several years
and his work for AAZK is appreciated. Before replacing John, the
proceedures and functions of the Awards Committee will be re-evaluated
at the San Diego Board meeting this month. Any members with ideas or
suggestions may submit them to Bela or any other Board member before
or during the San Diego Conference.

92

AAZK HEADQUARTERS MOVED

Headquarters for the As^ricaa ivssociation of Zoo Keepers has been sioved
to the Katiouai Zoological Parks according to Bela Demeter, president
of the organisation c The Kationa". Zoo has been generous to supplj^

A.^K with a completely equipped office, including file cabinets,
typewriter « supplies, etc. Further, the Friends of the National Zoo
has granted A:vZK ^I^OGO per year, while Dsnstar is president, as a
salary for a part-time seci*etary. The secxetaxy will be paid ''3,00
per hour, and will work 3 hr-urs per week, Ms. Lea Cilcssco has' bean
hired to Sill the position, she is a docent, at: the aoo. Ife. G'lasnc'
will handle the membership sar'vd-cas, fititiriciai records, and r«’iitine
corresponeance for the or g-mti cation. She will ra-iittrain the filet

and of-nist the President as necessa.ry in njt.ning the organisation.

The new address for the Aiisr.^can Association c£ Zoo Keepers is i AAZK,
NatJ.onal Zcological Park, Washrlngtori , D-C. ,20009-

dote: The editorial office fer Animal Keepers' For cm will remain in
:lts 1^; resent location: 635 Gage Blvvd, . Topeka, KS 66606.

FOR PAHMSES

Dead.Iiiia for Vol, 2, 1976 of THE KEEPER: Journal of the American Assc-
clatiofi of ZoQ Keepers is October a, 1976.

At&orica^s journal of aoc technology, first published last year, has
been we.ll received. Over 600 copies have been distributed so far,-
including i.r:>ny to aoos in Canada, South Aiasrica and Europe. The
Keeper is a meslsership service' of A.AZK and is sold separately to non-
matubers, Papsr.s destined for The Keeper cask cover any of a wide range
of topics in the soo field. Behavior, diets, veteri-aary medicine,
reproduction, exhibit design, and care of the new-born are j’ost a few*
examples. Papers should be submitted typewritten, double-spaced on
regular x 11 white bond. Photographs shoiuld be black and white.
Drawings shctild be simple, line drax-?ings using black ink on white paper.

All articles sidsmitted for publication are subject to review by the
editors. Send papers to: AAZK Journal, 635 Gage Blvd. , Topeka, KS
66606.

93

INCUBATION RECORDS by Sam Davis, National Zoo

Have you ever needed information and not been able to find it or have
you kicked yourself because you didn’t write something down? Everyone
working in biology should realize the importance of collecting data
and the zoo is an ideal place for doing just that.

Past reptile incubation records at the National Zoo are almost non-
existant or disorganized if there are any. We decided to set up an
easy n^thod of keeping incubation records. The first thing we did '
was to get a record book (you can use any notebook) amd divide it into
12 columns. For example, the first should look like this,

Egg Specinen Date Wei^t(gms) Length(mm) Width(mm) Date Hatch

Date Incub .

Egg Specimen Date Weight(gms) Leagth(imn) Width(mm) Hatch Period

lA Naja naja 1/1/76 12,3

B " " " 13.5

15,7

16.9

7,6

6.1

3/1/76 61 days
2/27/76 58 "

The second page should look like

this ,

Weight

Young

Weight Length

Comments

lA 6.7 28.6 All eggs put in individual jars with peat

B 6.1 27.5 substrate. Candled 1/1/76. fertile

Candled 1/1/76, fertile.

The first clutch each year is designated #1 and each successive
clutch is assigned a number in sequence. Each egg within a clutch
is assigned a letter. In addition to lettering each egg, the clutch
number and letter is printed on each egg container. Except for the
’’comment" column, the remaining columns are self-explanatory. Incu-
bation methods used, candling dates and results, egg condition dur-
ing incubation, dead embryo information and much more can be written
in the "comment" column. Don’t skimp with this column, allow plenty
of space.

94

A tablet on each incubator lists clutches ^ specin^n^ and probable
hatching dates of incubating eggs. In this way a closer watch can be
kept on eggs around hatching time,

vftien speciiii^ns hatch, weights and measures are recorded in the "egg
book", Wlien enisryos die the eggs are opened and the appropriate
information is recorded in the "comment" column. Dead embryos are
preserved in 10% formalin or 70% alcohol. Each preserving jar has
a label with the scientific naa^, approximate death date, egg number
and letter. All these jars are stored in museum cases by year and
^phabetically by geniis.

By gathering all the necessary information you will begin to see its
correlative aspects in reptile breeding. An appropriate tis^ to in-
troduce or separate pairs of animals will become more evident. Incu-
bation periods, clutch sizes and better ways of improving inciibating
techniques will be right there in black and white, ready to use,

# # #

SECOHD QUARTER FINANCIAL STATEMENT (1976), MCF

Item Credit Debit

Cash on hand 31 March 1976 $1255,77

AKF subscriptions 20.00

/^AZK Journal sales 125.00

Printing supplies $ 382.47

Typewriter rent 15.53

Journal refund 5,00

Telephone 7.45

Typewriter purchase 491.63

Postage; Apr, - Jun.

Canada, foreign 40.57

Bulk deposits 101.02

Petty cash 15.53

Office supplies 12 . 34

$1400.77 $1071.54

-1071.54

Cash on hand 30 Jua '76 $ 329.23

A.ccoijnts receivable $ 20.00

95

ANIMAL KEEPER SUR\^Y II

ATTENTION I Recently you should have received a survey form
along with AAZK Conference information. The survey is being conducted
for AAZK and as a part of my studies in "Zoo Operations & Animal Man-
agement". The purpose of this survey is to develop a profile of to-
day’s Animal Keeper. Your participation is very important to the
success of this project. If you have received a survey form but are
not working as a keeper, please pass it on to an animal keeper you
know, explain its purpose and ask that the survey be completed and
mailed to me. Thank you for your cooperation,

Judie Steenberg, 1886 Burgess Ct. W. , Topeka, KS 56608,

SECOND QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT. AAZK

Item

Acutual Bank Balance, 1 Apr. 1976
Deposits, Dues & Patches
Printing (office supplies)

Pve funds (pro -rated loemberships)

Animal Keepers’ Forum Accomt
Shoulder Patches

Cash assets, 31 Jun, 1976

Credit Debit

$2450.58
703.35

$125.25

130.00

405.00

207.55

$3159.93 $867,80

$2m7r3~

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Linda Ervine of the Ifetro Toronto Zoo would like to coiamunlcate with
keepers who care for young gorillas. The zoo has seven juveniles, all
wild born and Linda is attempting to determine their ages more accu-
rately. She would like information on the ages at which developiaentai
landmarks occur, i.e. teething stages, crest appearance, wei^its and
DKasureioants , disappearance of the white tail spot, etc. Linda is
especially interested in gorillas that are mother- reared. Send any
pertinent information to: Linda Ervine, c/o Metro Toronto Zoo, Box
280 West Hill, Ontario, Canada MIE 4R5.

96

COKSERVATlQN - ASIAN STYLE by Tom Goldsberry, Portland Zoo, Portland,

Oregon

Although it's encouraging to find that conservation and ecology are
fast becoming America's favorite four-syllable words, it's unfortunate
that so mucli of the imput we now receive concerns only Africa.

.Aside from an occasional article, or a new, glossy four color book,
little is ever heard of the day-to-day struggle for wildlife in Asia.

An excellent case In point is Thailand.

For example, the Thai government has recently taken steps to protect
Kch Surin, Thailand's last wild island. Koh Surin, located in the
Andaman Sea fifty mi.les off the coast of Ranong and Phangna provinces ,
is the last remaining uninhabited island in Thai waters. While some
of the trees on the lower slopes have been felled, the forest is gen-
erally intact. The forest supports a rich bird and reptile fauna, in-
cluding hornbills and flying lisards.

The shoreline is rocky and steep except in nua^rous coves where sandy
beaches offer ideal conditions for the nesting of marine turtles. As
a first step, the Wildlife Division is supporting a 2C“man multi-
disciplinary ecological survey of the island which will include botan-
ists, herpetologists, ecologists, ornithologists, entomologists, mammal-
ogists, and ichthologists.

Tlie World Wildlife Fund, taking cognizance of Thailand's role in wild-
life conservation, has recently approved three grants to Thailand.
Project 1019 concerns Khao Yai National Park, the largest national
park in Thailand. The park is one of the more important areas for
conserving the Indo-Chinese tiger Panthers tigris eorbetti together
with its prey species; it is the hoiae of about 200 elephants and has
a large population of the endangered Pileated Gibbon Hylobates
pileatus , one of the world's rarer primates. The park is under heavy
pressure from poaching and forest clearing for timber and cultivation.
Under the WF grant, amounting to $100,000,00, vehicles, motorcycles,
radios, and funds for the constructioxi of ranger stations will be
supplied.

97

Ill the meantiiiie, much is being done to control the trade in wildlife
and wildlife products. The Wildlife Division has been working hard
to enforce reasonable quotas on the animal dealers; new ministry
regulations passed in February, 1976 include 165 animals on the
Category I protected list, of which only three maireiials and thirty-
three birds can be traded under strict controls, i.e., each dealer
can ship only thirty talking mynahs. The Division is also working hard
to control the trade in skins. In March, fifteen tiger skins, eleven
leopard skins, and three clouded leopard skins were confiscated from -a
distributor in the Yannawa district. Thai tiger and leopard skins are
now for sale in large quantities in Hong Kong.

Another bit of progress has been the placing of flying squirrels (Sub-
family Fetauristinae) on the Category I protected list, placing all
species under strict quotas. This will make the trade in flying
squirrels much no re difficult and may result in stopping the trade.

On the other side of the coin, however, is Bangkok’s Sunday Market.

Joy Adamson, of Bom Free fasti, on a recent trip to Thailand remarked,
"It is a great disgrace to Thailand that the animal dealers at the
Sunday Market are allowed to cruelly break off the teeth and cls^fs of
squirrels in order to convince customers that the animals do not bite"

It is most unfortunate that Thailand has no laws controlling cruelty to
animals. However, the Ban^ok Municipality does have control over the
activities of the Sunday Market and the Forestry Department and the
Association for the Conservation of Wildlife are currently urging the
municipality to pass a set of regulations controlling cruelty to
animals ,

So the animals win a few and lose a few. Until the time comes when
every country begins to stack the deck a bit in favor of wildlife, the
animals will continue to be dealt a losing hand,

REFERENCES

Conservation News of Southeast Asia; Volume 10, Number 1, March, 1976,

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS by Michael K. Stoskopf, DVM, Overton

Park Zoo and Aquarinmj Memphis » Tenn.

New construction or maintenance and repair of existing buildings is
always a welcoioe project in any zoo. Unfortunately, it rarely, if
ever, is done by "zoo people". This, of course, causes many problems,
and every keeper who has been in a zoo, even a short while, can recite
countless examples of poor design or lack of foresight. Aside from
architectural design problems, however, there is a serious problem
which can cause the agonizing death of an imsuspecting anixnal after
svexi the simplest repair job. A good keeper can prevent it.

Hardware disease or traumatic reticulo-pericarditis can affect any
riminant. Hardware disease is caused x<jhen a foreign object, usually
metal, punctures the reticulum of the rimiinant stomach. The reticulum
or honeyconfo is a special compartment of the four stomached animal
which retains heavy foreign objects a ruminant might accidentally in-
gest, No problems usually occur unless these objects are sharp such
as wire and nails.

Sharp objects are forced to penetrate the reticulum wall by the muse-
jjlar contractions of the organ. This causes a leakage of stomach
contents into the abdomen resulting in, at the very least, a local
peritonitis. Peritonitis is very painful and this stage of the di®-
sease mi^t be seen as an animal going off feed and hunching it's
hind legs underneath it, as evidence of acute pain in the abdomen.

Wild animals, of course, show fewer signs than domestic stock, and this
stage might go unnoticed. At this point several things miglit happen
in the animal's abdomen. Fibrin clotting mechanisms and natural immune
reactions might wall off the puncture preventing more leakage and fur-
ther penetration of the object, or the object can be forced further
and further throu^i the wall of the reticulum by the stomach’s own
contractions.

If this happens there is danger of puncturing the liver. Iktre common-
ly thou^, the object is pushed right through the diaphragm which lies
just in front of the reticuliM. Once through the diaphragm, the object
most often passes right to the heart and punctures the heart sac or
pericardium. This lies within an inch or two of the forward reticulum
v?ali. The natural respiratory movements and the movements of the heart
when beating make this a nearly inevitable end point. IvTiile earlier

99

signs were digestive upset and pain* new signs will take on a respir-
atory pattern. The object carrying organisms from the fermentation
vat stomach will cause localized pneumonia as it passes through or
near lung. Breathing may be shallow. Cou^i.ng and signs of stress
may accompany a high fever. liJhen the object finally engages the
pericardium^ death xisually is not far behind. The irritation and
infection caused by the object will result in massive amounts of
fibrin adhering to the heart. These masses will constrict and event-
ually stop the heart.. They also give the disease the pathologists’
nickname of "shaggj'' heart disease". There are, of course, animals
which will merely drop dead suddenly, should the object puncture a
heart vessel or the heart itself, causing hemorrhage into the heart
sac.

There are some chances to treat the disease. The animal. ’s rumen can
be opened and the contents removed, hopefully including the offending
object if it remains even partially in the abdomen. Animals have
even been saved by reiEoving two or more ribs and taking the object
out of the chest. These are obviously drastic measures and prevention
is certainly the best cure for the disease.

Keep in mind this problem is not rare. Ruminants are generally very
indiscriminant eaters. If a nail or wire is there, they will eat it
along with the rest of the niDuthful. In certain nutritional defici-
encies they mx^t even seek out these items . Not only are ruminants
lacking in discretion, but so are nK)st workman who service zoos.

Years of sloppy habits allow them to discard nails, wires, pieces of
fencing or scraps of s^tal where ever they might fall.

The veteran keeper knows this and supervises work being done in his
area if at all possible. If this is impractical, he or she scrutin-
izes the compoixnds for any sign of debris prior to turning out the
occupants. Only through relentless and persistant inspections of
lots and compounds, alert for any bit of wire or metal, can a keeper
prevent animals from suffering the fate of traumatic reticulo-peri-
carditis .

*:*t*AiSf*A**Aifc*^**3%**A***^S:^;*A**!%**:^***A55f^i(if**!!:*A*A*A

*THE ^aLWAUKEE CHAPTER OF THE AAZK SENDS ITS *
*BEST WISHES FOR A GOOD CONFERENCE IN SAN DIEGO*

■?oo

BOOK REVIEW; Living Trophies by Peter Batten, Thomas Y. Crowell Co.,

^■lew York, 1976, 246 pp. $9.95.

We wrestled with this one for a long time. A review of this book is
difficult because this book is difficult. Batten assumes the role
of an authority on good zoo management. He may well be, but his one-
sided views on the ingredients of a good zoo make his authority de-
batable.

Batten writes about zoos. Your soo, our zoo, everybody else's zoo
and what is bad about them. He airs dirty laundry, then strings zoo I
officials on the line alongside and beats them like dusty rugs. He 1
looks for the worst in a zoo, and concludes that if anything is bad,
the entire zoo is bad.

The authors tendency to blacklist is bad enough. But his frequent
false stateE^ats and inaccurate conclusions add insult to injury.

The reader should approach Batten's creation with an eye toward
reality and a handful of grains of salt, such is his low credibility.

It is mfortunate that many readers may be as one-sided as the author.

An eye toward reality is iiaportan^t because Batten does manage to make
some good points. In reading this book one should think not of what
the author said, but rather, what he was trying to say. To blindly

strike out against all that Batten says would be foolish a creative,

changing profession such as zoos must be able to accept critisism.
However, you may have to buy this book if you desire to read it be-
cause it*s unlikely you'll find it in your zoo library.

BEAR COKFEREHCE SCHEDULED Outdoor News Bulletin

The Fourth International Conference on Bear Research and Management
will be held in Kalispell, Montana, February 20-23, 1977, according
to the Wildlife Management Institute. Those wanting more information
or to present papers should contact Clifford J. Martinka, Glacier
National Park, West Glacier, Montana 59936,

IMPORTANT DATE TO REMEMBER — October 3-7, 1976 for the 52nd
Annual AAZPA Conference at Baltimore, MD.

101

HEDERAL wildlife' PERI'IIT OFFICE ESTABLISHED USDI News release Jiily 2,

1976

A ?iew office has bean established to impleaseat aa interaational treaty
ragaiating coxcmercial trade in and moveuant of the world's endeagerad
wild plmits and animals c

The Federal Wildlife Farrait Office will also aase the of

scientists j soos^ and others whr/ engage iu acti'vities involving mC-
eral.ly protected wilcillfe by redu.ciag red tape and the

peradt issuing r-rocesi: while jaaiat ain.ir g nef-ded corit^'cls. Freqvantl/;.
legitimate activities iiir-olv'lng xTild'.' Ife mFiy require clear&ace cr per-
vtxl’cs from s.--verel geverra'ent offices including the ;Departr.?.nts oiT
Health: Sdocation and WslferSf Treasury , Coxararee, Agricultures, and
Iiitsrior. The Federxii Wildlife Fenait Office will first work toward
coordliiating' pensit.e Issued 'wi thin the Fish and Wildlife Service * and
later Wsay become the coordinating body or cieajtlng Louse for tha isou-
aiice of all FaderaJ, permita In.vclvi.xig wildlife.

A major responsibility of the of. flea will be to ensure that the United
States complies with the Cenvention on Intemational Trade in Endan-"
gered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The treaty was signed by mors
than 50 nations in. 1973 and no:^ so far been ratified by 26.

VJxVuIHG BIRD CONFERENCE SCHEDULED Outdoor Havs E ullatin

The Naticnai Audiibon Society 8.rsd the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
are sponsoring a conference on wading birds in North Amarica. The
neeting is schedixled for October 14-17, 1976 at the Mills Hyatt Hotxse
in. Cliariestca, South Garcliaa,

There will be four general sessioas on the broad topics of behaviors
conservation and manageiaeiit , populations and surveys, and ecology.

Each session will contain several invited papers , followed by sid>xaitted
papers in the appropriate fields, A series of workshops is planned aJ.so

Conference organizers anticipate organization of a "Working Group on
Wading Birds" to facilitate informaion exchanges and further studies on
wading birds. For nKJre inforffiation write: Research Department, National
Audubon Society 115 Indian Mound Trail, Tavernier, Florida 33070.

102

Want to Write for AKF? Read On!

Animal Keepers’ Foriim is a publication for you, the animal keeper.

You have valuable information that other keepers would like to hear.
Se.nd your know-how to AKF, we’ll spread it around! Items submitted
to AKF do not have to be formal papers (though the editors drool
when one arrives). News, short notes, even something scribbled on a
paper towel is as good as a T-bone steak! The following is a list
of suggested topics for news items, short notes and papers. This
outline is a guide to only a few subjects, there are many other possi-
bilities .

I . News Items
New exhibits
Births and hatchings
AAZK Chapter activities
Zoo happenings

II. Animal Care Techniques
Diets and feeding
Capture and handling
Identification and marking
Hand raising baby animals

III. Behavioral Observations
Births

Nesting or denning behavi-or

Breeding behavior
Social interactions
Unusual behavior

IV. Education

Keeper training programs
Public speaking programs
Zoo seminars
Research projects

V. General Zoo
Job safety

Conservation projects
Exhibit techniques
Veterinary case reports

^#ien writing your paper these suggestions may be helpful in improv-
ing the quality of the article;

1. Title should reflect content of paper.

2. Make detailed observations and avoid generalities.

3. When recording behavior, note animals’ actions and try to avoid
incorrect interpretations.

4. Avoid anthropomorphism; be objective.

5. Include pertinent data, ie. times, dates, weather, type of en-
closure and animsl's history.

6. Be concise; avoid run-on sentences.

7. Criticism should be followed by constructive suggestions.

103

TORTOISES HATCH AT ZOO

Galapagos tortoise eggs are hatching at the San Diego Zoo for the first
time in five years.

Four tiny tortoises had found their way out of their shells by late
July 1 and three more were in the process of hatching on July 2. Four
more eggs — for a possible total of 11 hatchings — are expected to hatch
soon.

Although egg-laying had occurred in the tortoise herd over the last
several years, the eggs proved to be infertile. The Zoo’s reptile
curator. Dr. James Bacon, has been working with Dr. Tom Fritts of the
San Diego Natural History Museum for more than a year to attempt to
solve the n^^stery of the infertile eggs.

"We’ve looked at a number of factors which we thought might be respon-
sible," Bacon said, "and we’ve done several things differently with
the adult herd and with the eggs."

Bacon said some of the changes were dietary. The tortoises were given
kale, banana trees for roughage, acacia and eugenia browse for bio-
chemical diversity, and more cactus and less lettuce than they had
previously received.

AAZIv (CHBERSHIF INPORMATSON

Affiliate (Keepers)^ Associate, and Foreigh dues ^ .$10.00 annually
Student annually

C ONT RIBUTING member dues... so. .0*. 30. a... .0^2^. 00 ANNUA LLY

Supporting L.IFE MEMBER.®.aa.a»oaaa.a»ea.»aa.aa.9«a«aa.» ^200 . 00

Make checks payable to: American Association of Zoo Keepers,
AAZK membership includes subscription to the monthly newsletter.

Animal Keepers’ Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPER: Journal
OF THE American Association of Zoo Keepers. All members receive an
AAZK shoulder patch and a membership card good for free admission to

MANY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S, AND CANADA a

Send name and address and check or money order to: AAZK, National
Zoological Park, Washington, D,C, 20009®

104

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF 200 KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 9

SEPTEMBER 1976

ANiMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edited by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue

Topeka Zoological Park 635 Gage Blvd. Topeka ^ Kansas 66606 USA

Animal Keepers * Forum is a non-profit ninthly publication distributed
to professional soo keepers independently and by the American Associ-
ation of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members. Animal Keepers’
Forum Includes news and official announcements of the AAZK.

AAZK Board of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D.C. PRESTDEHT
Chris LaRue, Topeka, Kansas VICE-PRESIDENT
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, California
Ed Roberts, Boston, Massachusetts
Pat Sass, Chicago, Illinois

Articles in this publication may be reprinted with the permission of
the authors. Credit to this publication is requested.

Reprints of any article may be requested by writing the editors.

Deadline for each edition of AKF is the 20th of the prededing month.

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
EDITORS. THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF ANIMAL KEEFERS^ FORUM OR OF THE AAZK

PATTON RESIGNS POST

Dr. Richard Patton, Director of Professional Education for Mark Morris
Associates in Topeka will be resigning his post. Dr. Patton has taken
a position in Los Angeles. He will no longer pen his popular feature
in AKF entitled "Animal Nutrition". The AKF staff wishes to extend
its deep appreciation to Dr. Patton for his contributions and support
for this publication. He has this staff’s best wishes for good luck
in his new job. '

POSITION AVAILABLE

ZOO KEEPER with elephant handling/training experience. We are
We are looking for an experienced keeper who has a good working know-
ledge of hooved stock, as well as capability to handle and train our
26 years old Asian elephant, and to help develop our future programs
with pachyderms and expansion of an excellent hooved stock collection.

Starting pay: $7,i32 to $7,842, depending on experience. Excellent
advancement possibilities .

Those interested, please send resume to:

Mr. Dale Tuttle
Director

Dickerson Park Zoo
3043 N. Fort

Springfield, M) 65803 no later than September 18, 1976.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT

The proceedings of the 1974 Tri-Zoo Conference in Chicago will be made
available soon to all AAZK members. Through the efforts of Jeriry
Houghlan of EuPreem, and of Mike Dee, the proceedings will be printed
in a format similar to the one used for The Keeper, volume one. Look
for more details in future issues of Animal Keepers’ Forum.

105

TREE KAI^GARQO BIRTH AT OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO by Steve A. Clevenger,

Oklahoma City Zoo

The grizzled grey or black tree kangaroo (Dendrolagus ursinus iriistus)
is relativ'ely uncommon in captivity and, as such, any captive birth is
note^irorthy , Recently, however, we in the Hospital /Isolation area of
the Oklahoma City Zoo were presented with a rare opportunity in chron-
icling one aspect of captive animal husbandry.

Oisr group of tree kangaroos (1.3) was received in late 1974 and has
produced one offspring, a female, v?ho was bom in October of 1975.

This youngster \<ras discovered approsimately three months before emerg-
ing from the pouch and was fully developed when we discovered her.

Also f one stillborn or refected young kangaroo had been found on the
enclosure floor about three iionths prior to the discovery of the female
in the pouch. The October '75 female is presently about three-fcurths
gi"own Slid is still being raised by her mother.

During the first weak in July we had been observing the mother for
approaching birth because of certain unusual behavioral indicators.

She displayed a limited degree of lethargy, she had been off food for
about a week, and esrtensive cleaning of the pouch and surrounding skin
had been taking place. This particular female is extremely docile and
even-tempered and no difficulty is encomtered in examining the inside
of her pouch at regular intervals. On the morning of 7 July, I found
a newly bom kcngaroo approximately 1% inches long firmly attached to
the lower right nipple in the pouch. We estimated the age of the
yoiaigster at from 24 to 36 hours.

Since that time at regular intervals (3-4 times weekly) we have been
making observations on the developn^nt of the young kangaroo. Due to
the docility of this particular female, it has been possible also to
take photographs of the yoijngster developing in the pouch.

Hopefully this data when fully gathered will provide the nucleus for
a body of information which will insure the conservation and captive
'propagation of this New Guinea laacropod.

106

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS

SEXUAL AROUSAL by Joseph Bielitzki, D.V.M.

Topeka Zoological Park

For a change, here is an article on sex. Most of us have at one tinte
or another either watched or participated in the act of coitus , but
have we really watched or even understood what was going on?

A zebra stud approaches a mare in heat , sniffs her genitalia and then
displays a Flehsien lip curl. The next thing we see is the extrusion
of the penis from the sheath followed by an erection. Somewhere
between the male’s approach and his sexual excitement, something has
happened to initiate the physiological events necessary for coitus to
occur.

Now, those of you who are skeptical say, ”No zebra stud worth his
weight has to get that close to a mare in heat to become aroused.”

Well, that is partially true. A mare in heat is capable of exciting
every equine stud in the area. My question to you is, ”What causes
arousal?” Is it si^t? Is it smell? Is it auditory? Is it tactile?

Is it taste?

Quite probably, all the senses are involved vrith sexual arousal in the
male. Most important, however, is the sense of smell. Olfaction is
critical in taost ungulates for arousal to occur. This is the only
group of animals which display the Fleh2^.n lip curl. The mechanical
processes involved vary from species to species, biit the behavioral
response is sos^what consistent. First, the male sniffs at the female’s
genitalia either x<7hile the female urinates or laterally deviates her
tail. Next, if the female has urinated, a small amoimt of urine is
caught by the upper lip, which is extended and curled upward to aid
in directing the urine to the nostrils. Along with the lip curl, the
head and neck are extended upwards. In those species where urination
is not essential for heat detection, the same movements are seen.

Something in the urine or near the genitalia has initiated arousal in
the male. A chemical substance which is capable of causing a behavi-
oral or a physiologic change in another organism is referred to as a
pheromone. Most pheromones are thought to be a mixture of lipids or
lipo-proteins of low molecular weight. The lov? molecular weight is

107 ■

necessary to allow airborne transmission to occur between the male and
the female, a sort of pinafore for the nostrils. In most xmgulates,
the pheromone involved seems to be a breakdown product of an estrogen
Estr*adiol ITbeta, which is found in the urine. In addition to a
urinary product, the secretions of the female reproductive tract are
raodified during heat and may contribute to the olfactory stimulus.

Lastly, what organ is responsible for the detection of the small, but
potent, chemical substance? Most ungulates possess a very good ol-
factory system, but some researchers feel that the r^omeronasal organ,
Jacobson's organ, may play a role in the processing of this infox'mation,
Jacobson's organ is found in the dorso-rostral aspect of the reptilian
mouth and communicates with the nasal passage and is the primary organ
of ol faction in the reptile. In manffijals. It has become small and almost
vestigial but possibly does serve to -detect pheromones by direct contact
contact with these molecules as they are brought into proximity by the
lip curl. The vomeronasal -organ communicates w-itli the brain
by a branch of the olfactory nerve. Consequently, it easily acts to
monitor any lipids in the urine which are in too low a concentration
to bs detected bjr vaporisation or the airborne spread of particles.

The act of sax is fun, a curiosity and wonder to watch, but it is
certainly more complex than "Slam, bam, thank you, , ma'am."

BOOK REVIEW from the Outdoor News Bulletin
Checklist of the World's Birds by Edward S. Gruson

212 pages. Published by Quadrangle /The New York TioKts Book Company,

10 East 53d Street, New York City 10022; 1976. Price $10.95

Checklist of the World's Birds is a one-volume complete listing of all
of the known bird species on the world. The usual nine to fifteen
volumes have been computer-slimmed into one... a job too onerous before
computer techniques.

This handy reference work provides the scientific and English common
names of each species as well as the zoogeographic regions in which
the bird may be found. For each entry there is a reference to other
sources containing additional details.

108

ANIMAL KEEPER SURVEY II

closing date extended.... still time to participate.

The response to the survey is just over 20% to date. I know we can
do better. The more data received the more meaningful the statis’^
tical results will be. Please, go find your copy of AKS-II, fill it
out and mail it today. It will only require a few uiinutes of your
time. If you have misplaced your copy feel free to write for a
second. To allow for laore participation the closing date has been
extended to. laid-September .

KI40W A KEEPER INTERESTED IN PARTICIPATING IN AKS-II
W HASN’T RECEIVED A SURVEY? PLEASE SEND NAME AND
ADDRESS TO*. Judie Steenberg, 1886 Burgess Ct. W. ,

Topeka, KS 66608

Thank you, to all who have returned surveys. To date 136 cotapleted
surveys have been received representing 55 soos in the United States
and Canada. Several interesting comments and suggestions have made,
such as J

1. It would be nice to have an AA2K directory with keeper’s
names, addresses, zoo affiliation and major interests
listed, (passed on to AAZK Board for consideration) .

2. The survey should have been sent with a self-addressed,
stamped envelope (that would have cost more than. $70.00 and
all surveys not returned would have been a waste of money
to .4AZK ~ I hoped that participants wouldn’t mind the 13?
postage)

3. Age should have been included on the survey; salary ranges,
number of keepers who are veterans, whether their zoo is run
by a municipality, society, etc. plus a few other suggestions
(I agree - there are several additional questions that might
have been asked, perhaps another survey could be conducted

to add to the data received in AKS-II) .

Due to extending the closing date of AKS-II till mid-September, the
statistical results will appear in the November issue of AKF instead
October as previously stated.

109

Reptile & AhPHiBIM Potpourri by Bela Deiceter, National Zoo

Iti order to stay on top of the latest developments in herp care, the
entire staff of RaA.P. attended the Reptile Symposium on Captive Pro-
pagation and Husbandry in Fredrick, Maryland (aimoimced in June AKF) .

I thoa^it the conference rewarding and was pleased to learn that there
will be anotb.ec one next year. In reviewing the conference material,

I want to stress a point brought out by the Kejmote speaker, Jaren
Horsley, We should be careful to differentiate between observations
(no matter how carefid they are) and scientifically established con-
clus^.ons .

One subject freauently mentioned was J.ight . Ernst Hoffman (Hern mag-
.aaine) synchronizes rlndocr lighting with the natural outdoor photo-

pfex’iod using a sensing device. His indoor lighting
ascent and Vit alite "bulbs . Many of his terrariums
outdoor cages to give specintans natural light durin.

is Dayliglit fluor-
are connected to
g the summer months .

Hoffmaxi has been successful in breeding a large variety of lizards.
Including the Leopard Gecko (Eublepharis) which he elaborated on in a
separate paper. Joe Lasslo of the San Antonio Zoo discussed the im-
portance of finding the rigjit photoperiod and temperature for each
species. While some reptiles will bread regardless of the environmental
conditions, Las.zlo pointed out that for maximum seccess in propagation
we should attempt to duplicate nature as closely as possible. Most
people BOW seem to be using Vitalite In combination with some other
light 5 since this bulb BKJst closely approximates the solar speetrum.

Diet and nutrition another topic of discussion. Dr. Richard Patton
talked about the new herp diet that he helped to develop. Nutritionally
thi-s herp diet matches whole food such as Brice and rats, but is less
33q>ensive to feed, John Behler of the Bronx Zoo thought the diet of

.limited value for aquatic species since it does not maintain its inte-
grity in water. It is too early to tell at this point how effective
this diet is. We'd like to hear about your experiences with this diet
(ZuPreem Herp) so we can write about it in a future column. Various
forms of supplemental nutrition were also discussed. Hoffman mentioned
sprinkling crickets with a vitamin-mineral powder for insectivorous
lizards. Ernie VJagner of the Seattle Zoo puts a drop a cod liver oil
(D':^) . He seems to be having pretty success with that technique. Add-
ing vitamin E to fish to combat steatitis was discussed. Dr, Patton
isentioned that feeding vitamin E with fish was self-defeating since the

110

chemical makeup of the fish breaks it down. Adding vitamin E to the
diet at some other time might be more effiective.

One whole section dealt with general captive maintenance for various
reptile groups. Mike Davenport at the National Zoo talked about the
parameters to consider in the breeding and care of crocodilians . Dick
Goergen of New York and Herb Harris from Baltin»re talked the methods
they each employ in maintaining their private collections of tortoises
and snakes ^ The one paper on medical management of reptiles x<ras pre-
sented by Dr. Clinton Gray of the National Zoo. John Arnett presented
slides of the new reptile facility at Knoxville showing the unique
modular plexiglas cages.

The conference was a good mix of zoo professionals and amateurs...
amateurs only because they are not employed by a reccgtnized zoological
park and professional in every other sense of the word. For those of
you who were not fortunate enough to be able to attend, the proceedings
V7ill be published by the end of this year. Keep watching AKF for infor-
mat ioxi on how to get your copy,

llie writers of the RA? coliumi ask for notes, suggestions and ideas
dealing with herptile husbandry. Questions or comments concerning
reptile pathology may also be sent, as the National Zoo maintains an
excellent pathology department. The submitting author need not pre-
pare a forisal article. Material for the column may be sent to Bela
Deuffiter, National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. , 20009.

ZOO TO RECEIVE SEROW

Later this year, the Los Angeles will receive two Japanese Serow, a
goat-antelope currently exhibited primarily in Japanese zoos. The
Serow are a gift of the city of Nagoya, Japan, in honor of the U.S.
Bicentennial. Nagoya Mayor Masao Motoyama formally presented the gift
to Los Angeles Zoo Director Dr. Warren D. Thomas.

In return, the zoo in Nagoya will receive a pair of North American
Rocky Mountain Goats, a relative of the Serow. The Los Angeles Zoo
and the zoo in Peking, China v?ill be the only zoos in the world, out-
side of Japan, to exhibit Serow.

Ill

THE LAMP OF MONKEY GLAND STEAK by Tom Goldsberry, Portland Zoo

How’s your gompou? Or. maybe you prefer to say Kori bustard instead.
Either way, the gompou-bustard is but one of the A30 bird species
found in Kruger National Park in the Republic of South Africa.

Kruger Park, celebrating it’s fiftieth anniversary this year, is the
huge (7340 square miles) home to approximately 1100 lions, 2400 ele-
phants, and 180,000 impala, plus many other species including the rare
sable antelope and midget lemurs. Part of the fun. in visiting Kruger
Park is getting there. Many visitors take the spectacular Panorama
Route that includes some of the most beautiful scenery in South Africa.

Here, in the eastern Transvaal, the descendants of the pioneer Boer
voortrekkers retain their Dutch identity, much the same as when Jan
Van Riebaak first landed at Cape Town in 1652. Consequently, just
when you’re about ready to give up trying to pronounce Bobbejanstert ,
Gladdeklipkop or Mogalakwenastroom, you s\iddenly find yourself in
Brooklyn, Orlando or Frankfort.

I entered Kruger Park, after a pleasant day’s drive from Johannesburg,
at Crocodile Bridge on the Mozambique border. Not far from Crocodile
Bridge lies the village of He c t or spruit . Hectorspruit is unique, not
only because it was natt^d for the founding father’s dog but, it was
near here in 1936 that a 690 lb. lion was shot, making it the largest
specimen ever fomid in the wild.

Although 2/3 of the park is closed from November to May, there is
plenty to see for the first time visitor. The entire region is a gi-
gantic parkland, covered with indigenous shrubs and trees. Acacias
predominate in the south, mopane in the north. Among these grow a
rich assortment of other species, such as wild figs, ’’sausage” trees,
combretums, marulas , whose fruit is greatly favored by elephants; and,
along the Levubu River in the north, grotesquely shaped baobabs.

Accomodation in the Kruger National Park is provided in comfortable
rest camps in which visitors sleep in rondaveis or circular shaped
huts which have nest convlences. The largest camps have well-appointed
restaurants and shops selling all the requirements a tourist is likely
to need.

112

. . . IT LOOKED NO WORSE THAN THE AVERAGE HAMBURGER
I’VE EATEN IN SOME ZOO CONCESSION STANDS...

It was at the Lower Sabie rest camp on the last day of my stay at the
park that I read on the mimeographed luncheon menu, "Grilled Monkey
Gland Steak". I'Jhy not? When it was served it looked no worse than
the average hatrburgsr of vmdetermined origin I’ve eaten in some zoo
concession stands. A few bites convinced me I had a real moxikey on
ngr back and probably one in my stomach, I called the waiter over to
explain the situation to him and to ask for a substitution. The
waiter, a true of the veldt, with his sunburned face and hands like
bunches of bananas with knuckles on them, listened impatiently while
I presented my case. I tried to assure him that, although I was con-
vinced he served the finest primate this side of the Limpopo, I didn’t
think I could honestly look a baboon in the face on the evening game
run, knowing I had probably just devoured one of his cousins at lunch.

Silence, then the waiter roared, "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM A MONKEY?!"

I never did learn t<rhat gland it was , . .

Sources :

.Discover the Republic of South Africa. South African Tourist
Association, 1972.

Guinness Book of World Records, 1970 ed.

IN CASE YOU MAY HAVE MESSED IT,

we urge you to refer back to volume 193, number 4249 of Science maga-
zine. The date was 16 July, 1976. Leaf through to page 235 for an
excellent article by J.T, Marshall, Jr. and E.R. Marshall called
"Gibbons and Their Territorial Songs". It’s worthwhile reading...

113

zoo RESEARCH. AID TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION San Diego Zoo

The California condor may be a beneficiary of expanded research acti-
on ties at the San Diego Zoo.

A testing procedure now vmder study in the Zoo’s endocrinology lab >
established in 1975^ may lead to a breakthrough in determining the sex
of animals which lack sexual dimorphism.

Results of hormone tests performed on a Los Angeles Zoo California
condor, the only such bird in captivity, indicate that the specimen is
a female. A.ctiog in conjunction with Los Angeles v;ildlife authorities,
San Diego Zoo researchers measured the hormone levels in fecal material
■and compared them to horraone levels of know, male and female Andean
condors. These test results may allow Los Angeles Zoo officials to
obtain a mate for the bird and begin to breed them in captivity.

AJ-though still in the experimental stage. Zoo researchers feel the
technique is a viable one and will be a tremendous aid in pairing and
management of exotic animals in captivity.

The endocrinology lab was established to stury the inter-relationships
between hormones and reproductive efficacy. Projects undertaken thus
fax include experiments to sex aniaials , determine sexual maturation ■
Slid pregnancy, asid a special project to study factors which produce
Identical twins.

Although sex determination may be made by measuring hormone levels in
blood, the collection of blood samples is somewhat complicated. The
chemical or physical restraints required for the drawing of blood can
cause itndue stress to delicate or very large animals. Thus, the poss-
ibility of using fecal samples to measure hormone levels will provide
researchers with the necessary data to determine sex and avoid stress-
ful situations for the animals.

Since little is knov?n about the reproductive cycles of many exotic
animals, studies of hormone production reflected in blood and urine
samples will help scientists establish these cycles. Once normal
homone levels and reproductive cycles are recorded, researchers may
be able to alter the cycles to permit elective breeding of certain
species, particularly those labelled endangered.

114

A March of Dimes /National Foundation grant to the Zoo hospital enables
staff members to study factors which produce identical twins , whether
identical twinssoccur because of factors in the womb, or because of
innate properties of the fertilized egg itself.

Zoo staff members are working with armadillos , the only known animals
which regularly produce more than one embryo from a single egg. Re-
sults of the armadillo project may provide clues to identical twinning
in humans , which carries increased risk of premature birth and asso-
ciated infant death or brain dasiage.

Another aspect of research at the Zoo hospital involves chromosome
studies. Chromosome, or genetic, studies aid researchers in under-
standing the inter-relationships of animals and the evolution of one
species from another. Relationships among subspecies also may be
studied.

Skin samples may be maintained and frozen in liquid nitrogen in the
Zoo's cell bank. The cell bank lends itself to long-range storage of
information contained in animals^ genetic sets. Future scientists
may call ’upon this information to ■ study viral diseases and innate
genetic abnormalities. By storing genetic information in cell banks ,
scientists may avoid some hereditary defects caused by inbreeding.
Clarification of the. mysteries which cause birth defects and abnormal-
ities in animals may lead to means of avoiding or preventing similar
birth defects in humans

Although current Zoo research efforts center on reproductive and relat-
ed studies, the research staff at the Zoo hopes to expand its capabili-
ties in the future. Microbiological experiments, the study of viral
and bacterial infections , will ultimately be incorporated along with
increased behavioral research projects,

MORE RHINOS DISCOVERED from Oryx, vol.XIII, no, 4, July, 1976

The Malaysian Game Department has made the remarkable discovery of a
group of 10-20 Sumatran rhinos in south Pahang Tenggara and north
Johore. This may be the largest surviving group anywhere, and most
important because it is the only viable breeding group on the Asian
mainland - no other known group in Malaysia ntjmbers more than three
animals .

115

LM£E BFEAKIHQ NEWS FROM THE CX)NFEILMG£. . .San Diego , CA. . .27 Aug

Approximately 75 persons are in attendance at the conference being
held at the Sheraton Airport Inn. Keepers from as far away as
Washingtons D.C. and >lilwaukee are participating. The affair began on
t^bnday and lasts four days. A post -conference tour of the Los Angeles
Zoo is scheduled for today. The participants have heard a variety of
papers including ,

■’ify Run, Way® by Pat Sammarco
’'Gestation of Geoffrey's Cat" by Don Anderson
"Marmosets" by Claudia Collier

"Care and Breeding of Phelsuma madagascariensis" by Bela Demeter
"Primate Nutrition, Physiological and Psychological Factors" by
Jeff Roberts
and

"What is a Keeper" by Clayton Swanson.

Two Board meetings and a general business meeting have been held,
chaired by President Bela Demeter. Among other matters, the meetings
served to determine the following,

...annual conferences will be held beginning in 1978.

...the Board of Directors will consist of a president, vice-president,
and three directors. There will be no executive secretary,

...new chairman of the Awards Committee is Jeff Roberts, president of
the Brookfield AAZK chapter.

...an AAZK Directory is to be compiled by Pat Sass and Pat Sammarco.

. . .memberships in AAZK will be pro-rated semi-annually
...billings for renewal for 1977 will be sent in November, with those
not renewing being dropped from the rolls on 1 January, 1977.

...the membership category of LIFE member will be dropped.

. . .numerous constitutional changes will be compiled and sent to all
members
and,

...the proceedings of the conference will be published in The Keeper,
volume two, due to be out by the end of the year.

THE 1978 CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN WASHINGTON, D.C. ANYONE WISHING
TO HOST THE 1979 CONFERENCE, PLEASE CONTACT NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS...

*********************

116

BALD EAGLE PROPOSED FOR ENDANGERED LIST USDI

The bald eagle has been proposed for listing as endangered in 43 States
and as threatened in five others, the U.S, Fish and Wildlife Service
has announced.

Many people believe the bald eagle is already listed as endangered.

The species is protected by the Bald Eagle Protection Act of 1940 , but
only the southern subspecies is listed as endangered. The Proposal
would provide maximum protection for the species by extending the
coverage of the Endangered Species Act of 1973 to all bald eagles in
the. continental United States.

For the convlenience of wildlife managers , bald eagles have been arbi-
trarily separated into two subspecies with 40 degrees north latitude
dividing the northern and southern breeding populations. The southern
subspecies was listed as endangered, when the first list was compiled
in 1967, with the northern wubspecies remaining unlisted. However,
confusion has resulted, since the two populations have overlapping
ranges. The current rulemaking resolves this problem by simply list-
ing the species Haliacetus leucocephalus i-as endangered in the lower
48 States except in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Oregon and
Washington where it would be listed as threatened.

AAZK fCr«£RSHIP INFC^HATION

Affilute (Keepers)j Associate^ and Foreign dues ^0*0^5 annually
Student dues.,*.,,,, ,,,4 5,00 annually

CONTRSBUTfWG MEMBER DUES ® ^ ^ 425 «00 ANNUALLY

Supporting Life member e , ^ ^ „|200c00

M.AKE CHECKS PAYABLE TOS A^CR ICAN ASSCCIAT lOM OF 200 KEEPERS,
AAZK MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER^

Animal Keepers’ Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPERi Journal
OF THE American Association of Zoo Keepers, All members receive an

AAZK SHOULDER PATCH AND A MEMBERSHIP CARD GOOD FOR FREE ADMISSION TO
MANY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE U,S, AND CANADA,

Send name and address and check or money order to: AAZK, 635 Gage
Blvd,, Topeka, Ks. 66606.

AMERICAN ASSOCIATI'ON OF ZOO KEEPERS

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ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSiONAl ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 10

OCTOBER 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edited by Ron Kaufman and Chris LaRue
Topeka Zoological Park, 635 Gage Blvd.

Topeka, Kansas 66606 USA

Anirfial Keepers’ Forum is a monthly pi&lication distributed by the
American Association of Zoo Keepers as a service to its messibers.
Articles in this publication may be reprinted. Credit to this pub-
lication is requested. Reprints of any article may be requested by
writing the editors,

MATERIAL SUBMITTED FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
EDITORS, THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF MIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM OR OF THE AAZK,

AAZS Board of Directors

®Bela Demeter, Washington, D.C. PRESIDENT

Chris LaRue, Topeka, Kansas VICE-PRESIDENT
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, Califoniia
Ed Roberts, Boston, Massachusetts
Pat Sass , Chicago , Illinois

AAZK fCMBERSHIP INFORMATION

Affiliate (Keepers), Assoc j ate j ,v .$j0.00 annually

F ORE IGN. ,, a c 15,00 ANNUALLY

STUDENT,.,,,,,.,,,,..,,.,..,, 5* AN.NUALLY

Contributing (Organizations).,,.....,,. ,,,.$25,00 annually

HkKE CHECKS PAYABLE Tos ArCRICAN ASSOCIATION OF zoo KEEPERS.

AAZK MEMBERSHIP INCLUDES SUBSCRIPTION TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER^

Animal Keepers' Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPERS Journal
OF THE American Association of Zoo Keepers. All members receive an

AAZK SHOULDER PATCH AND A MEMBERSHIP CARD GOOD FOR FREE ADMISSION TO
MANY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE U .S , AND CANADA.

Send name and address and check or money order to: AAZK HQ,
National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20009.

DEADLINE FOR EACH EDITION OF AKF IS THE 20th OF THE PRECEDING MONTH.

LETTER TO THE EDITORS

I recently read your review on Living Trophies and feel a book such
as this deserves a little more coverage, and from a different view-
point. I would like to submit the following for publication in the
next edition of Animal Keepers* Forum.

ANOTHER BOOK REVIEW: Living Trophies by Peter Batten, T.Y. Crowell
Co., N.Y., 1976, 246 pp. , $9.95.

Peter Batten has written an angry book, and one that is long overdue.
Anyone knowledgeable in wild animal behavior has only to tour the
zoos of North America, and he cannot help but agree with Mr. Batten's
major premise: Too many animals in too many zoos are being kept under
unbiological and inhumane conditions. In this coimtry, there are a
small number of very good zoos, and a much larger number of very poor
zoos. Somewhere in between lie many of our major zoos, with good
exhibits and poor exhibits side by side. Small mammals and higher
primates are most often the candidates for these poor exhibits.

The author comments on many problem areas in our zoos such as exhibit
designs and architectural monstrosities, mother "rejections" and hand
raising policies, docent and animal staff credentials, humane groups
and minimiHtt exhibit requirements, political Intrigue and questionable
zoo philosophies, etc. Of course, behind ail this, he writes about
what should be the utmost concern in every zoo person's mind; ethics.

P.R. material (so positive and charniing) has its place in the zoo
scene, but it should not exclusively dominate zoo association publi-
cations. Nor should it dominate every zoo book on the market. It is
disturbing and yet refreshing to read a zoo book that frequently "tells
it like it is". True, the author names names, and this approach may
be repugnant to many readers . And true , there are other faults , but
they are minor when considering the book as a whole. All zoo people,
particularly those new to the profession, should read it. Ironically,
Living Trophies may do more to help the situation of many of these
zoo animals than any other recent zoo publication. Yes, this is an
angry book, and it should be. After all, the only good zoo - is a
good zoo I

Neal A. Stowe Green Valley, AZ

118

FROM THE PRESIDENT

National Headquarters
National Zoological Park
Washington f D.C. 20009

Bela Demeter

I wish all of you could have been at the San Diego Convention, Those
of us who were there really enjoyed it. AAZK went through several
organisational modifications as a result of our discussions at the
Board meetings and with the various delegates. Some changes reflect-
iiig our current structure were made to the constitution 5 (which you’ll
be receiving shortly.)

Briefly, we now have five directors of the Board instead of seven.

As you know, Rick Steeaberg resigned in May. Terry MacDonald stepped
dov.ni in August, also for personal reasons. They both have contributed
a great deal to AAZK, and we look forward to their serving the asso-
ciation in other capacities. We decided to leave the number of Board
Tiiembers at five because that seemed to be a workable nisaber. The less
people we have tied up on the Board, the more we have available for
positions elsewhere. The President is now assuming the responsibil-
ities of the Executive Secretary, that position having been abolished.

Our headquarters is now at the National Zoo where we have a paid
secretary, Lee Glassco, to handle business and financial matters.

We hope in the cosaing years to use this office to its greatest poten-
tial to gi\*’e you better and faster service. One service that will
improve right away is the newsletter. We are now sending AKF first
class rather than bulk mail so that it will get to you more quickly
and reliably. This aieans an increase in our expenditures, but we
feel that it is well worth it.

AKF will increase coverage of AAZK’s affairs. Our objective is to
keep you better informed about the workings of AAZK, what our goals
are, and what we are doing at the moment to attain these goals.

We ’ll tell you when we're behind on a project, as well as v-irhat pro-
gress we are making. We hope you will also become better acquainted
with soH^ of the people who are rumiing your organization. You need
to know X'/ho we are so ycsu can tell us what you want .

119

Each of you soon will be getting two copies of the new brochure that
we are having printed. The brochure explains our purpose and contains
nenibership information. I urge you to pass one of these along to
your fellow keepers or friends v7ho have not yet joined us. We will
be concentrating on growth during the next several months , indeed
the next few years. Each of you is an invaluable part of that very
important process. I believe AAZK has a lot to offer the profession-
al zoo keeper 9 and like to see one hundred percent participation
from all those involved in animal care. We would like to represent
truly the majority of these animal, keepers , not just a few.

The regional coordinator system is being revised and soon you will
have closer, more personal communication with headquarters through
the R.C.’s. Regional conferences will be common in the not-too-
distant future. And we are also working on an A.A2K directory that
will aid you in making direct contact with any keeper in your field,
from Seattle to Singapore. This increased, personal coMBunicstion
among professionals in the zoo field is, of course, one of our major
goals.

A number of ch^ges in the form of resolutions came from the 1976
Conference in San Diego. They are^ I. The address of the headquar-
ters of AAZK shall be changed toi National Zoological Park, Washington
D.C. 20009. II. Conference registration fees shall be set at a
higher rate for non-members. III. Setting of AAZK conferences at a
date other than suimner (not yet resolved as to what period). IV.
Memberships shall be pro-rated semi-anntuilly rather than quarterly,

V. All chapter projects set up by AAZK HQ will allows for a 50% split
of the profits betw^een the chapter and headquarters -

In short, this is a very exciting time for AAZK and for the zoo world.
I really think that with your help the next few years w'ill see us
become a strong, viable, meaningful se^ent of the zoo community.

Please notice that AAZK Headquarters has moved - the new address is,
AAZK HQ, NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009.

120

Reptile & Amibim Potpourri

by Bela Demeter

When you get a new specimen, do you put it on exhibit right away? If
you do then maybe you should reconsider. Unless you are very familiar
with your source you can’t possibly know the animal’s condition. No
animal dealer that we know of routinely performs fecal checks on his
animals, and neither do many private collectors. If the animal in
question is carrying a virulent parasite or strain of bacteria, then
you are endangering other animals in the collection. An epidemic of
aiRoebiasis is easier to avoid through good quarantine than It is to
control after it starts to spread.

Quarantine, of one form or another, is an essential ingredient of
every well-run herptile collection. The extent of your quarantine
procedures will depend, obviously, upon your facilities and inclina-
tions. Quarantine at the National Zoo is fairly simple, but effective.
iiiVery new arrival is placed in a room apart from the main collection
for at least thirty days. If the animal needs special treatment, the
wait time may be longer.

Ntany animals become dehydrated from an extended shipping period or
improper care by dealer. At the NZP these specimens are soaked in
water for a day or two. This helps to hydrate the animal as well as
ro clean from the skin any uric acid and feces that may have accumu-
lated during shipiaent. Unshed skin is loosened and some mites are
also washed off during the soak. Lacerations or other open wounds are
treated with a topical antiseptic such as Betadine.

Prophylactic medication is not usually given as a routine procedure.
You may think it helps the animal to administer antibiotics for a
disease, that it might be carrying. In effect, you are increasing the
resistance of pathological microorganisms within the animal to the
drug. This could be fatal since these organisms would not be affected
by medication when the animal really is in need of it. In addition,
x'Datine administration of antibiotics in drinking water may upset the
balance of gut organisms, killing some that may be keeping possible
pathogens in check.

121

We take routine fecal samples of all quarantine animals, (we have
found periodic fecal checks of exhibit animals also to be a good
practice.) These are analyzed by our animal health department; your
vet should be able to do the san^. If a high concentration of endo-
parasites exists then appropriate worming medicines are given. How-
ever, if the parasite count is low we prefer not to worm the animal.
Worming can be a traumatic experience and can do more harm than good.
We have lost a few animals such as kingsnakes and leopard geckos as a
direct result of worming.

Quarantine is also a very g-od time for the animal to become accli-
mated to its new surroundings. This is a time to watch the animal
closely for signs of maladaptation. If after a month or more the
aiTiimal is feeding well, has normal stools, and is in good flesh then
it is considered ready to go on exhibit. At this point we feel
reasonably assured that the specimen is healthy and doesn’t pose a
threat to the rest of the collection.

Address ail material to R.A.P, , Divisioii of Reptiles and tophibians ,
National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20009.

Cliris LaRue , AAZK ¥ice”President . has resigned from the Board of
Directors. He will leave the Topeka Zoo to take a position as
General Curator of the Dickerson Park Zoo in Springfield, Chris

will also leave bis post as co-editor of Animal Keepers’ Forisa. His
tren^ndous efforts on the behalf of keeper involvement and profess-
ionalism through AAZK and AKF will be sorely missed. We wish Chris
and his wife Vicky (a former keeper and AKF staff member) the best
of luck for the future.

Rick Steenberg, a former AAZK Executive Secretary, has taken a posi-
tion at the Sedgwick County Zoological Society’s breeding farm near
Wichita, Ks. We hope Rick and his wife Judle (a keeper and

AKF staff member) will enjoy a pi'osperous and happy future in their
new home.

122

BACTRIM GMIEL BIRTH AT METRO TORONTO ZOO by Neville Pike, Metro

Toronto Zoo

On Jme 5, one of Metro Toronto Zoo^s five exhibit female Bactrian
caiEsis was observed to have a swelling udder. She remained with our
herd of six tmtil'A.ugust 3 when she was separated to a sheltered area
adjacent to the exhibit in preparation for giving birth. The animal
had becoEK very vocal on August 2 and continued the same on the 3rd.

At 4;41 F.M. that day our female gave birth to a male weighing an
estimated 27 kgs. Our records indicate that this was her first preg-
nancy and the birth went quite normally sa.ve for a large amount of
blood that cowred her hind legs. The afterbirth was discharged at
6:55 P.M. and was removed immediately by the keeper. The newborn
stood briefly for the first time at 7:08 P.M. after much struggling
and st'ombling and continued to stand for brief periods ever the
following 30 minutes.

August 4 saw the infant looking well and strongj he was observed
suckling at 11:00 and 1:00 and appeared to strengthen throughout the
day. His Esther, however, was becoming increasingly agitated at
being separated front the herd.

The following day, the female was very distressed and restless, con-
tinually pacing and very vocal. She would not stand for the youngster
to suckly and after lengthy observation by keeper and veterinarian,
it was decided to partially immobilise the mother in an attempt to
obtain milk. We managed to fit a halter onto her and secured ropes
to this. The infant had been removed to a nearby indoor holding area,
Tne xQOther's udder was very full and the nipples appeared red and
sore. She did not co-operate and give us any milk and finally com-
plicated matters by sitting down and refusing tc nE)ve. Warm compress-
es were then applied to the udder from the rear; again, this met
X'Crithout success. 40 units of Oxytocin were then administered to
encourage milk-let-doT?m and a small amount of milk \<ras collected 3
minutes later. The difficulty in obtaining such a small amount of
milk was not considered worthwhile so the animal was released from
restraint. We had collected only 7 ozs. of mother’s milk, and this,
mixed with 6 ozs. of evaporated goat’s milk, was then bottle-fed to
the youngster. This first bottle-feeding was consumed hungrily and
he was then released back to his mother. A diet of 50% goat’s milk
and 50% water was prescribed and 16 ozs. were fed at 6:00 P.M. and

123

a further 16 ozs. were offered at 7:15 P.M. of which he consumed 7 ozs.
It was necessary to separate the young male for feeding as his mother
was quite protective.

The mother remained very distressed during the morning of August 6
and it appeared that the youngster would have to be bottle-raised.

To the diet the veterinarian added 1 tsp. Ferrous Calcium Phosphate
for each feeding and 0.60 cc AEDEC for the evening feed. 16 ozs. of
feed were greedily consumed at 7:15 A.M. Shortly after noon the
female began to calm down considerably; this was due to the herd
showing interest in the new addition which brought them alongside
the separation fence. Hay was also fed along the fence to keep the
herd in close contact with the mother. The youngster was now suck-
ling frequently but we were unable to detei"mina if he was receiving
sufficient sustenance. The mother was given another milk-let~dovm
shot and it was decided to leave the youngster until 7:15 P.M- that
evening before bottle-feeding again. At that time he consumed 14 ozs.
of the mixture. His feces at this time were red-brown in color,
loose and mucous in appearance and foul smelling.

On August 7 our part-time orphan refused his morning feeding and
everyone concerned was pleasantly surprised to see him looking
strong and alert. His mother was very calm and behaving normally
allowing junior to suckle at length. After careful consideration it
was decided to suspend bottle-feeding pending future developments.

During the following several days the young male continued his im-
provement and on August 10 he was seen chewing on a few stalks of hay.
Three days later he was observed cribbing on the shelter. His feces
remained red-brown and loose. The first several days of his life
were warm and sunny with temperatures in the 70—30 degrees F. However
on rainy days he showed no preference for the shelter and remained out
in the downpour for most of the time. At time of writing he is being
introduced to a high protein pellet and his future, after a shaky start,
seems bright.

AAZK AWARDS COMMITTEE

Anyone with suggestions or ideas for the AAZK Awards Committee
should contact Jeff Roberts, Chairman. Write to: Jeff Roberts,
Brookfield Zoo, Brookfield, II. 60513.

124

FROM THE COORDINATOR K)R CHAPTER AFFAIRS Denny Grinaa, Brookfield Zoo

Congratulations to the Mesker Park AAZK meinbers for recently forming
the Ifesker Park AAZK Chapter in EvansrtLlle, In. The president is |

William Jeffers and any correspondence regarding the Mesker Park j

(Inapter and its keeper activities should be sent to him,

still seeking info sheets on those chapters who have not answered '
the survey yet. Pertinent information shoiild include; chapter name, 1
SCO associated with, correct mailing address , nutifcer of present AAZK j
members, names of officers, present activities and projects, and plans j
for the future. The information should be thorough, but kept to a
single page. Send to: Denny Grimm, Brookfield Chapter AAZK, Brookfield i
Zoo, Brookfield, II. 60513. 5

The following is a list of AAZK chapters that responded to the survey !
as of 8-15-76. I hope this partial list will help establish better ‘
coatmunication between chapters and keepers throughout the comtry, ij

r

Brookfield Zoo, President - Jeff Roberts, Cliicago Zoological Park |j

(Brookfield Zoo) , Brookfield, II. 60513. |

Washington, D.C., President - Elisabeth Frank, National Zoological j

Park, Washington, D.C. 20009.

Hogle Zoo, President ~ Rich Hendron, Hogle Zoo, P.O. Box 8475, Salt
Lake City , Ut. 84108. |

Los Angeles Zoo, Presidexit ~ Mike Dee, Los Angeles Zoo, 5333 ZoolDr., i,
Los Angeles, Ca. 90027.

Calgary Zoo, President - Ronald Green, Calgary Zoological Park, St.
George’s Island, Calgary, Alberta, Canada T2G 3H4.

Fortla:id Zoo, President - Roland Smith, Portland Zoo, 4001 S.W.

Canyon Sd. , Portland, Or. 97221.-

Mesker Park Zoo, President - William Jeffers, Bement Ave., Evansville,
In. 47712. . ■

SUPPORT YOUR PROFESSION ASK A FRIEND OR CO-WORKER TO JOIN AAZK.

Send news items and articles for publication in AKF to: AKF EDITOR,
635 GAGE BLVD., TOPEKA, KS. 66606.

125

OF VETERINARIANS AND KEEPERS by Joseph T. Bielitzki, DVM, MS,

Topeka Zoological Park

Most zoological gardens are faced with a unique predicament., the
genetic base on which breeding programs are founded is quite narrow.
Consequently, inbreeding is comiEonplace in many collections with respect
to certain species whose captive numbers are quite reduced.

The coefficient of Inbreeding is a standard measure used to indicate
just how much inbreeding has taken place in a given animal. It is
usually represented as a decimal which reflects the percentage of in-
breeding when multiplied by 100. The foxTsula

at first appears quite complex, but is extremely simple, since ,
the inbreeding coefficient of a common ancestor, is usually known. In
the formula, is the inbreeding coefficient for the animal in question
n is the number of generations from the sirs to the coisBKJn ancestor,
and nj represents the saii^ for the dam. The sujmnation symbol indicates
that all ancestors must be considered since more than one common
ancestor may contribute to the degree of inbreeding. Since the sire
and the dam each contribute equally to the offspring’s genetic patterns,
the ^ is used in the equation.^

This formxila should indicate that the lower the inbreeding coefficient
the better. This is based on the fact that, the distance between the
sire ox dam and a common ancestor is represented exponentially rather
than arith5a^:ticaily in the equation. This then is the aim of selective
matings... to move coBmK>n ancestors further back in the pedigree.

This can be accomplished only by increasing the numbers of animals from
which to choose and by careful pedigree evaluation.

The inbreeding coefficient is used most frequently in species whose
numbers border on extinction, for example, the Przewalski’s horse. In
order to minimize inbreeding in this species, every living specimen
has had an inbreeding coefficient calculated for it. These are kept
on file by Jan Bouman in Rotterdam. By using the ’’Bouman Pedigree
System", the inbreeding coefficient can be predicted for any offspring
from any possible cross of this species. Hopefully, this will minimize
the possibility of genetic defects due to excessive inbreeding and aid
in expanding the genetic base of the species.

126

The Przewalski horse* s ancestr>'' can be traced back to 13 individuals.
Obviously , an entire species founded on 13 animals could be doomed if
careful genetic management were not employed. The "Bouman Pedigree
System'* also offers a summary of each animal's blood composition. j

This indicates what percentage of genetic material came from each of |
the 13 common ancestors to make up an individual’s genotype. Again,
this offers another method for the evaluation of a possible breeding. j

Frequently, inbreeding is the only direction one can follow with a
given species., but it does not necessarily indicate the downfall of a
species. The Prsewalski horse is the living proof. Since 1968, the
awrage inbreeding coefficient has been progressively reduced. In
1968, it was .291, as of this year it is .231. This reduction is due
to selective matings resulting in many crosses where the inbreeding
coefficient is 0.000. Wliile the inbreeding coefficient of a living
animal cannot be reduced, those of future animals can be steadily
reduced, thus increasing the genetic variability of the species.

1. VJright , S, (1923). Meadelian Analysis of the Pure Breeds of Livestock
J. He red. 14: 339 -34 8.

WILL IT BE CONDORS OR PHOSPHATE OR BOTH? Outdoor News Bulletin

k proposed phosphate mine in the Los Padres National Forest of Cal-
ifornia has created a dispute that highlights the inattention of j

fovemment to the nation's wildlife resources, the Wildlife Manage-
ment Institute reports.

In 1969, U.S. Gypsum applied for a phosphate mining lease in the
forest. The plan is to open six pit mines totaling 490 acres and
raiging from 200 tc 900 feat deep. The mines would be dug in an
area how occupied by the last 60 California condors in existence.

The public became concerned and aroused.

Because no one really knows how the mines would effect the condor,
the lease probably will be granted. Few people relate this type
situation to conservationists' often futile pleas for support for
wildlife management and research programs. They only remember to
cosix>Taiii when the information needed is not ims^diately at hand.

Seven years and still no relatively sure answer doesn’t speak loftily "■
of either wildlife management or the priority it is given.

127

We have received many requests for a list of those who attended the
1976 National. Conference in San Diego... so here goes!

Red Thomas , San Diego

Carol Thomas , San Diego

Rose M. Henneous, Portland

Earl Donnell, Abilene

Hugh Watson, Abilene

Roger Henneous , Portland

George Montgomery, Colorado Spr^

Bill Cobum, Las Vegas

Pamela Dietz, Las Vegas

Carolyn Etnerick, Washington, D.C.

Diane Fusco, Syracuse

Debbie Ziegler, Syracuse

Jay Terkel, Springfield, 111.

Janet Phipps, Baltinsore

Jill Grade, Los Angeles

Jerry Bunnell , Bell , Ca.

Jeff Roberts, Chicago
Dennis Grimm, Chicago
Pat Sass , Chicago
Gay Kuester, Chicago
Grace Likens , Chicago
Mike Dee, Los Angeles
Claudia Collier, Los Angeles
J-ody Crawley, Los Angeles

Harold Crooks, Evansville, In.

Emily Bartholomew, Caster Valley, Ca
Ed Ramsay, San Jose
Kathy Clark, San Jose
Karen Grikstas, Buffalo, N.Y.

Alan Sharpies, Atlanta
'fieorge Lewis, Kings Dominion, Va.
Sue Ellis , San Diego
Barbara Normington, San Diego
Mike Phillips , Saai Diego
Brian Joseph, San Diego
Sharon Joseph, San Diego
Mary Swanson, Fresno
Arvey Swanson , Fresno
Linda Turner, Oklahoma City
Paul Ruble, San Diego
Ann Littlewood, Portland
Mike Keele , Portland
Terry Thompson, Portland
Tom Goldsberry, Portland
Jonolyn W^ilson, Portland
Janie Winicke, Portland
Chris LaRue , Topeka
Vicky LaRue, Topeka

Eugene Maliniak, Washington, D.C. Alan Hamilton, Las Vegas

Mike Yelverton, Baton Rouge
Larry Sammarco, Chicago
Pat Sammarco, Chicago
Bela Demeter, Washington D.C.
Ed Schulze, West Allis, Wise.
Nora Schulze, West Allis, Wiss

Garth Courtney, Las Vegas
Ed Roberts , Boston
Virginia Roberts , Boston
JoAnne Thomas, San Diego
Boo Sh®^, San Diego
Phil Prewet t, Memphis

Jerry Houghlan, ZuPteSm, Topeka, Ks
Dewey Garvey, Central Nebraska Pack
Kent Benedict, Atlanta
A.rthur Cooper, Washington, D.C.

Pete Momson, Milwaukee
Donald Anderson, Memphis

Joyce Palmer, Salt Lake City That’s 71 persons that were there.

Elizabeth Choules, Salt Lake City

Steve . Conger , Evansville, In. WHEW!

128

Please remeiober that Novessber is the nentb to send in your AAZK
r^Esbership renewals. There are two important changes this year you
should be aware of. First, any membership not renewed by Dec. 31
will be dropped from the rolls and that individual will not receive
a January AKF. Secondly, there will be no subscription rate for 1977.
AKF will only be available to AAZK members.

When sending in a renewal , please indicate you are renewing so your
check will not be processed as a new membership. Send to: AAZK HQ,
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009.

129

SIBERIAN TIGERS SUCCESSmLY BREED AT BEARDSLEY ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

by Tony Marchlinski, Beardsley Zoo, Bridgeport, Conn.

Two Siberian Tiger cubs (Panthera tigris) were bom at Beardsley Zoo
on August 26, 1976. The cubs, a male and female were bom at 8:35 AM.
They were left with the mother, and seemed to be accepted by her with-
out any signs of rejection. At about noon it was discovered that the
mother had rolled onto the male cub. By the time it was retrieved it
had died. The female • cub was removed from the exhibit, and is being
hand reared. At this writing the yomgster appears to be doing fine.

The six year old male, and the three year old female parents arrived
at Beardsley Zoo in December of 1975. The male came from Mller Park
Zoo, in Bloomington, 111., and the female from the Indianapolis Zoo.
This was her first litter. The male had been a proven breeder, having
sired several litters at Bloomington. The male presently weighs about
475 pounds and the female about 400. They are housed in the large
bird and mammal building at the goo, but will soon be in a new out-
door exhibit. The new habitat x-7ill be about 2400 square feet in
exhibit area, plus a three room holding area, which consists of two
bedrooms and a cubbing den. The building area will be about 22'x4i'4”.

We are now very hopeful that we will be successful at breeding these
beautiful cats and other endangered species at Beardsley Zoo.

PREFERENCE BALLOT;

This survey is to determine the majority opinion on conference sched-
uling. At the i*976 National Conference in San Diego it was voted to -
not hold conferences in the stustmer. After much discussion there was
no clear agreea^nt on which would be best, sfpring or fail. It was
decided a poll should be conducted to determine the i^aibers’ feelings.
Please check one; Spring Fall CoHsaents;

send to; AAZK HQ, National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20009.
Thank you for your participation. AAZK BOARD OF DIRECTORS.

. 130

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

’ '4

*

9^econd tMtmii

€0€^€IA'U

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

Lii liii

VOLIIME III KUMBIE 11

KOVIMBHl 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

Edited by Ron Kaufman
Topeka Zoological Park, 635 Gage Blvd.

Topeka, Kansas 66606 USA

Animal Keepers* Forum is a monthly publication distributed by the
A^Toericaa Association of Zoo Keepers as a service to its members.
Articles in this publication may be reprinted. Credit to this pub-
lication is requested. Reprints of any article may be requested by
writing the editors.

MATERIAL SUBMITTED K)R PUBLICATION IS SUBJECT TO REVIEW BY THE
EDITORS, THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MY NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM OR OF THE AAZK.

AAZK Board of Directors

Bela Demeter, Washington, D.C. PRESIDENT
Mike Dee, Los Angeles, California VICE-PRESIDENT
Ron Kaufman, Topeka, Kansas
Ed Roberts, Boston, Massachusetts
Pat Sass, Chicago, Illinois

AAZK hCMBERSHIP INFORMATION

ApFiLJATt (Keepers), Assoc ute .$10.00 annually

Fore ign. $15.00 annually

Student 5*'^^ annually

CONTR IBUT !NG (ORGANiZAT !ONS) .$25.00 ANNUALLY

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TOJ A^£RfCAN ASSOCIATION OF 200 KEEPERS.
AAZK MEMBERSHiP INCLUDES SUBSCRJPTfON TO IKE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER,

An {HAL Keepers* Forum and the annual publication, THE KEEPERS Journal

OF THE AhERICAN ASSOCIATION OP ZOQ KEEPERS. AlL MEMBERS RECEIVE AN
AAZK SHOULDER PATCH AND A MEMBERSHIP CARD GOOD FOR FREE ADMISSION TO
MANY ZOOS AND AQUARIUMS IN THE U.S.AND CANADA.

Send name and address and check or money order to: AAZK HQ,
National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20009.

DEADLINE FOR EACH EDITION OF AKF IS THE 20th OF THE PRECEDING MONTH.

ANIMAL KEEPERS’ PORIRI and YOU... OUR SECOND ANNIVERSARY

This is our second anniversary issue. Traditionally, such occasions
are a time for reflection and consideration of the things to come. So
it shall be for AKF, too. In the following editorial, we look back
and we look ahead and we also reaffirm our commitment to you, the
career, professional animal keeper.

Animal Keepers’ Forum was a brainchild bom to six people in October,
two years ago. It was conceived from the seeds of several ideas and
occurences. One V7as the distressing lack of commmication-the exchange
of ideas and knowledge~that hounded the zoo profession. Another was
the desire to stimulate animal keepers into developing their skills
into a profession. Yet another was to bring some logic, some order
into this tremendously complex field. Too, it was about that time
that many concerned keepers were sensing a downhill slide in the move-
ment of the American Association of Zoo Keepers. A truly future goal
of the young pxiblication was to help boost the AAZK into a position
of stability and upward movement. That is the foun-dation on which
AKF was developed.

Animal Keepers * Forum was bom just one month later. Original artwork
by Perry LaBelle provided the initial face for AKF... the familiar hand
gently supporting a female zebra and her foal. The Steenbergs-Rick
and Judie-and the fine people at the Minnesota Zoological Society
gave the substance to AKF. Their fine job of typing, printing and
mailing involved many persons. That first issue began with an editor-
ial by Dave Ruhter and included an article by Jim Fouts. Volume One
Number One contained a mere pages of readable material. Two months
later, AKF expanded to six pages, then to nine, then to thirteen. The
original young AKF was an independent publication edited by Ron Kaufman,
Chris LaRue and Dave Ruhter. At the beginning of the next year, 1975,
AKF offered to become the official vehicle of communication for the
American Association of Zoo Keepers. In March, 1975, AAZK accepted
the offer and AKF began to realize some of its goals ... foster conmiuni-
cation and help boost AAZK. AKF continued to grow-as did AAZK-and
the familiar booklet format was adopted in January, 1976. Our first
anniversary issue was a big one. . .thirteen pages packed to the hilt
with news and articles. November, 1975 also saw a new project brewing-
the American zoo field’s first technical journal. It was compiled and
edited by the AKF editors and comprised nearly 30 pages of top-quality

131

information. That publication. . .The Keeper, Journal of the American
Association of Zoo Keepers ... added fuel to the fire that flared in 1976.

And what a fire it was. Under the dynamic leadership of Rick Steenberg
and Bela Demeter » Animal Keepers * Forum and the American Association
of Zoo Keepers began to sweep the zoo field. AKF subsequently moved
very close to a total merger with the AAZK. The fire burns today.

For all practical purposes, AKF has n^rged with AAEK, The names of
these two growing giants is spreading far and wide. AKF/AAZK travels
to many European' countries and to South Atsrica and Austral-ia. The
pot is brewing at home, too. The list of persons receiving AKF is
expected to double in the next year. Soon, all keepers ... indeed , all
zoo professionals .. .will be touched by the programs of AAZK/AKF,

But what of AKF’s progenitors, the idealists who first sparked the
babe? The changes are many. One of AKF’s original editors, Dave
Rvihter has left the profession to continue his work on a master’s
degree. Rick and Judie Steenberg first worked in St. Paul, then moved
lo Topeka and have now gone to the Sedgewick County Zoo at Wichita,
Kansas. Chris and Vicky LaRue have moved to Springfield, Missouri
where Chris is now the general curator. And Ron Kaufman. . .well , he’s
penning this editorial.

The future of AKF/AAZK is remarkably bright. AKF can only improve
and AAZK can only go farther. With the projected doubling of members
the quality of AKF will increase. But the amount of work will be
trenKindous. . .not only for the AKF editor or the AAZK Board of Directors
but also for you and your colleagues. As the zoo keeping profession
develops you must work to get your ideas , techniques or procedures
out of the dark hole of non-cotamunication. What a tremendously
creative endeavor is animal keeping and what a far-reaching responsi-
bility it is! CARING FOR LIFE ENOUGH TO SHARE YOUR CONCERN AND
KNO\‘JLEDGE WITH OTHERS IS A WONDERFIIL TRAIT. CARE ENOUGH TO SHARE
YOUR IDEAS AND KNOWLEDGE WITH YOUR COLLEAGUES , . .THROUGH THE PAGES OF
ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM AND BY SUPPORTING THE AMERICAl^ ASSOCIATION OF
ZOO KEEPERS.

Ron Kaufman, editor
132

FROM THE PRESIDENT

National Headquarters
National Zoological Park
Washington, D.C. 20009

Bela Deineter

With the exception of the Ceinadian Provinces ^ our Regional Coordinator
nettTOrk is in effect. These coordinators have been placed to better
aid us in reaching our constituency. Use your coordinators ^ they are
there to help you and would likewise appreciate any help you can give
them. If you have any questions or ideas for /\AZK, write your
coordinator. Give him or her a chance to know you better. The more
cantact you have with your coci'dinator the better our organisation
will reflect the thoughts of all of us. The more questions the
coordinators can help you withj the more time there is for us at
headquarters to work on other projects to improve our services to you.
And the more people there are involved, the better we represent all
keepers ,

Initially, the coordinators will be w'orking on distributing brochures
to prospective aeiiabers. We hope we will be able to reach almost all
the animal-care people in the country this w^ay before the end of the
year. Later the coordinators will be working on setting up regional
conferences and workshops in their regions or with other regions.

We hope to make this network work , and it will work with your
participation. Be sure to write your coordinator if you woivld like, to
help in a section of the region. Try to visit your coordinator if you
are in the area; that*s what they are there for, personal communication

Tom Goldsberry

WA,

OR,

ID,

IfT,

m

Portland

Carole Udell

CA,

AZ,

NV,

CO,

UT,

NM, HA

Los Angeles

Larry Sammarco

WI,.

IL,

lA,

MN,

ND,

SD

Lincoln Park

Nancy Chase

OK,

NE,

KA,

MO,

TX

Oklahoma City

Randy McGill

MI,

OH,

IN

Detroit

Michael Yelverton LA,

MS,

AR

Baton Rouge

Richard Sheldon

TN,

KY,

NC,

VA,

WV

Knoxville

Marilee Vandiver

FL,

AL,

GA,

SC

Santa Fe Teaching Zoo

Janet Phipps

MD,

NJ,

CT,

PA,

DE

Baltimore

Bernard Feldman

NY,

vr,

NH,

MA,

RI,

ME

Buffalo

133

A COPY OF A LETTER FROM JILL GRADE TO AA2K BOARD OF DIRECTORS
AND TO THE GENERAL MEMBERSHIP

To T'fhcm It May Concern.:

I am very nearly without words to express the einotional uplift felt by
myself (and by many of iny colleagues ^ sure) after attending the
AAZK Conference in San Diego »

I have been caring for a diverse variety of animals for almost six
years now.. But I find that a great deal of that time has been spent
3.n attempting to make myself heard on the managerial levels of the
institutions for which I have worked, trying to make it understood
th.at daily contact with an animal can be an important insight into
their behavior, . .insight often more valuable than the in,formation (if
any) available in books, or the sometimes outdated opinions of my pre-
decessors. « .a 3-e.sson in futility. As per that old saying "Misery loves
company’% I was pleased to discover that most animal keepers (as re-
presented in San Diego) work under similar circumstances i I was also
saddened. . .arige red, . . that the ignorance of the valuable contributions
made by keepers to the xoo field is so v?idespread. Phrases such as
"Why bother, they won't listen to a peon like me!", "I told them two
v^aeks ago that it would die without medication.", "What am I here for?"
and *Vhat are they here for?" echoed throughout the conference rooms
all week long.

Finally, reali2:ing that, as- an individual, "fighting the brass" is as
productive as 1,0 Indian Rliino in the United States and 0.1 Indian
Rliinc in India, I am convinced that the fellowship available through
the American Association of Zoo Keepers is an invaluable resource
which should be cultivated to the utmost. AAZK, I feel, has the pot“
ential to obtain the much needed recognition for snimal keepers,
nationally, if not internationally, . .not by means of radical "keepers
lib" upheavals but by means of mutual efforts to promote professional-
ism. . . to educate animal care personnel ; not only in the technical.i
aspects of zoo keeping but in the purposes behind what we do, the
reasons for which we daily "break our backs" , "sweat blood" , and
"keep on truckin’"!

In closing, I simply wish to aver the pulling together of the organi-
zation., .the giving of the opportunity to unite, to pool our resources,
in a vital, productive association of people "dedicated to professional
animal care", conservation and preservation.

134

Reptile & Amphibian Potpourri

by Bela Demeter

Kent Benedict, our correspondent from Atlanta, sent us this article by
R. Howard Hunt and Denton Bragg which was published in the April 1975
issue of Herptile Herald, now the Bulletin of the Georgia Herpetological
Society. This piece is so good we decided to print it in its entirety.
It’s called "Sex Determination in Snakes".

Herpeculturists should give their captive reptiles and amphibians all
the care necessary to insure good health and induce breeding. In any
reproductive effort the most important thing to possess is at least one
number each of the opposite sex. With some practice, the enlightened
gerpeculturist can detarmixie the sex on most adult reptiles and amphib-
ians, Itost male chelonians have long tails and modified shells. Many
lizards such as the green iguana and the fence swift exhibit sexual
dimorphism. Male frogs and toads frequently have enlarged or
modified front legs for clasping the female. Snakes aiid crocodilians
exhibit no overt sexual dimorphism and the herpeculturist must examine
the genitalia within the cloaca for sex identification. '

For positive sex iden^'ification in snakes, a probe is used. When re-
tracted the two hemipenes of the male snake lie in the front part of
the tail behind the cloaca. The anal glands lie above the hetaipenis.

When a prcpulsor muscle contracts, the blood engorged hetaipenis is
squeezed inside out like, the finger of a glove, producing an erection.
When the hemipenis is in the retracted stare a probe can be inserted
into the hollow formed for an appreciable distance. If the snake is a
female, the probe can go into the anal gland a short distance. The
difference in probing depth between male and female snakes of equal
length is so great that mistakes in sexing are infrequent. This tech-
nique does not work will on lizard-s because of the short probing dis-
tance into the retracted hemipenis.

Select i'ug the correct probe to use is important. Fuhrman Diversied,

1212 W. Flamingo, Seabrook, TX 77586, laanufactures a set of metal sex-
ing probes for $55.00. A box of rolled paper cotton swabs makes a good
cheap substitute. Do not use wood or plastic swabs. The probe should
foe much smaller iti diameter than the estimated diameter of the hemipenis.
For larger snakes the entire end of the swab including the cotton can
be used. For small snakes, such as young colubrids, the rolled paper
end of the swab is shaved off with a razor blade to the appropriate dia-

135

xaeter* The selected probe is lubricated with saliva and gently pushed
at several different points in the posterior lateral area of the cloaca,
where the hemipenis should be. After a period of practice on several
large, hardy specimens this technique is very accurate and will not
damage the hemipenis if care is used.

Ventral View

Lateral

A'sai

TEAHKS AMD A KISS. . .

to all who have helped make AKF/AAZK a vital team,., to Jane Kaufman,
a zoo wife beyond compare, to outgoing staff members Judie Steenberg,
Chris and Vicky LaRue, to Jerry Houghlan and all the folks at ZuPreem
for valuable moral support and the use of their computer, to the
iopeka Friends of the Zoo-they trully are that, and to the staff of
the Topeka Zoo for tremendous help with the dirty work and for the
use of valuable office space. Especially warm thanks to former AAZK
Ejtec. Sec. Rick Steenberg and to current AAZK President Bela Demeter.
A big hug goes to all of AKF's feature contributors and to all of our
friends and colleagues who have given precious time and support.

GRETS

vie regret that the results of the animal keeper survey being compiled
by Judie Steenberg do not appear in this issue of Animal Keepers *
Forxim. Tir^ has put the crunch on Judie since the Steenbergs are in
the process of nK?ving. Look for the survey data in the Decenfi)er
issue of AKF.

136

OF VETERINARIANS MD KEEPERS by Joseph T. Blelitzki, DVM, MS,

Topeka Zoological Park

A discussion on sex must begin someplace, and what better place than
with stage one of the male sexual act, erection. Erection is a series
of physiological events by which the penis is extended from the
prepuce or sheath and increases in size and rigidity to allow effective
penetration into the vagina. For a successful copulation to occur,
erection must be maintained throughout coitus.

The central nervous system is primarily responsible for perceiving the
outside x^^orld and integrating this information to coordinate bodily
functions. Sexual arousal, therefore. Is a function of the higher
information centers ... the brain. The presence of an estrus female is
usually sufficient stimulation to cause erection; the brain has soEie-
how informed the body that the reason is there and now to prepare to
satisfy the urge.

The autonomic nervous system, made up of the parasympathetic nervous
system and the sympathetic nervous system regulates the schedule of
events which occur during coitus. This is important because the
events related to reproduction require timing, coordination, and con-
sistancy and, if controlled by a voltsntary system, would probably be
inefficient .

The penis has two or three cavernous bodies which when filled with
blood cause the penis to increase in size and rigidity. Erection is
caused by the dilation of the arteries, carrying blood to the penis,
under parasympathetic control. Blood leaves the penis at a constant
rate whether or not the arteries are dilated; this results in a local
increase ia blood preag^js® causing the corpora cavernosa to fill with
blood and increase in size. As this is happening, the reti’actor
penis muscle relaxes allowing the penis to extend from the prepuce.

To guarantee sufficient rigidity to the penis, the ischio cavemosus
muscle, which attaches to the root of the penis, contracts pulling
the penis against the brim of the pelvis , compressing the veins of the
penis. This results in a further increase in blood pressure and a
simultaneous increase in rigidity.

137

AS ati additional aid to penetration, a nusiber of species have a bony
structure surrounding the urethra in the penis, the os penis or baculum.
The bacultoR varies in size from less than one centimeter in some rodents
to about sixty-five, centimeters in the walrus. The os penis assists
in penetration % those species where the amount of erectile tissue
in the penis alone could not guarantee intromission.

Reproductivs success is essential to the successful continuation of a
species. Adaptation and evolution have produced a nuniber of systems
of different designs, but amazingly similar in function and response.

Ill ail mammalian species, the erection starts a series of events which
can be joyous or annoying, depending on the outcome.

iOO FEW MD FAR BETWEEl? DEPARTMEl^^T . . . BIRTHS AND H^.TCHINGS

The San Diego Wild Animal Park announces the birth on October 15 of
a fetiiale black rhinocerous. The baby, named Nanyuki , is the first of
her species ever bom in the collection of the Zoological Society of
San Diego, Her birthweight was estimated at 27.3 kg. (60 lbs.).

The Wild .Animal Park also reports the rare birth of an Indian rhino
ox* October 18. The male. Indian rhino named llaharaja is believed to be
the first survivixig second-generation of its species ever bom in
captivity in North America. His weight at birth x^as estimated at '

36.3 kg. (80 lbs.). His parents are Jaypuri and Lasai, both bom in

captivity. Jaypuri gave birth once before oa March 24, 1975, but the
young male died the following day of undeterxained causes. I

Both youngsters are being cared far by their zithers and have been
observed nursing and surveying their environment ,

The Topeka Zoological Park announces the natural hatching of the
green iguana. The event took place in the Tropical Rain Forest exhi-
bit. Four young of undetermined sex survived to be captured and -j

placed in a rearing area. The nest site has not been found. Another |

nest site that was being monitored contained 26 fertile eggs that
never hatched, Incxjbation period is believed to be somex/nat over 140
days. The groxmd temperature at the' nest site probably varied between
70 and 100 degrees . The soil was composed of good garden loam and
hard packed clay. Hatching date was sometime in late September, The
zoo also announces the birth of second-generation yellow anacondas on
the 17th . of October. Ten cut of twelve hatchlings have survived. :

The txjo non"-surxd,vers drowned' and one 'unhatched egg was recovered.

138

BROOKFIELD KEEPER INVOLVED IN RAPTOR REHABILITATION

In a wooded part of the Brookfield Zoo sits a 10X20 foot hut where a
Brookfield keeper spends his spare time rehabilitating birds of prey.
Joe Zawadowski, 27, of Brookfield, has been aiding injured hawks and
falcons for two years.

The main work often entails repairing individual feathers, an intri-
cate process in which Joe inserts a toothpick-sise bamboo pin into the
hollow part of the broken feather and glues to it another feather.

The bird can fly with this feather until it molts an new one.

Joe then teaches the bird the routine of falconry. As the raptor’s
time in the air increases, Joe begins to watch for its resumption of
v?ild behavior. Signs of this culminate with the hunt, when the raptor
successfully pursues and captures its prey.

”I saw the need for this in 1974. We were getting a lot of calls at
the soo asking us to take birds that were injured gr too young to
make it in the wild." Joe was granted permission, to work with raptors
under a special permit which authorizes Brookfield Zoo to salvage
federally protected birds.

The keeper is pleased with the results of his project, which has aid-
ed 67 raptors. He would like to develop it by introducing methods
that involve less human contact for the raptor.

"Less dependence on men is this rehabilitation stage," said Joe, "will
enable me to work with more birds and give the raptors a better chance
of surviving in the wild."

1977 XSSHh w

139

MABIM ORYX AT THE SAN DIEGO WILD ANIMAL PARK

The Arabian oryx is steadily increasing in nimbers at the San Diego
Wild Aniiaal Park,

On October 22, ei^t of the antelope were released at the Park follow-
ing their arrival from the Phoenix Zoo. The new oryx... four males and
four females. . .join a herd of 15 of the animals already in residence
at the wildlife preserve.

Once ranging over most of the Arabian Peninstila, the oryx now is con-
sidered extinct in the wild and exists only in a few breeding stations
in the world. , .the Wild Animal Park, the Phoenix Zoo, the Gladys Porter
Zoo in Brotrnsville . . 6 all members of the World Herd, (Seme of the oryx
are also balier^ed to be held in captivity by private o'^-mers in the
Mideast) ,

The World Herd was established in 1963 to assure tae A.rabian oryx'
survival. Founders of the World Herd include the Fauna Preservation
Society, the World Wildlife Fund, the Shikar-Safari Club and the
Zoological Societies of London and Arizona. The Los Angelas Zoo also
maintains a herd and works in cooperation with the World Hard, but is
not a meirher.

In 1963, Maurice Machris, a former president of the. Shikar -Safari Club
arranged for a nucleus herd of Arabian oryx (nine animals) to be
brought to the Phoenix Zoo, In 19725 the Zoological Society of San
Diego joined the World Herd and Machris arranged for four male and
four female oryx to be transferred to the Wild Animal Park to form a
second breeding station.

Since then, 12 offspring have been born at the Park, The latest, a
female, was bom on October 19.

HELP SPREAD THE AKF/AAZK TEAM AROUND. . .
SHOW YOUR COPY OF AKF TO A FRIEND AND
URGE THAT PERSON TO JOIN AAZK...

140

CALIFORNIA FALCON PROGRAM SUCCESSFUL Outdoor News Bulletin

For the first time in California, young prairie falcons bred in cap-
tivity have been introduced successfully into the wild, the Wildlife
Management Institute reports. The breadthrough occurred last year
when Gary Beeman, a falconer operating under a permit from the state,
produced 10 young prairie falcons. This year 12 young were raised and
two were placed in a nest of v/ild prairie falcons in northern California.
They were adopted and fed by their foster parents and are now foraging
for themselves.

Beeman noted that even under the best of conditions a pair of prairie
falcons in the wild would require a minimum of eight years to produce
22 young, the nimber brought off in two years.

Techniques used in Beexnans captive raptor breeding program will be
used to supplement wild populations of the endangered peregrine
falcon in California.

CAREERS ..... CAREERS CAREERS

career: REPTILE KEEPER
San Diego Zoo

practical experience in reptile/
amphibian management ; university
training in herpetology/ biological
science: useful auxiliary skills
(writing, fiberglass casting, art,
photography) immediate opening,
starting salary $725/month. . .
excellent fringe benefits. Mail
resume to ; Personnel Dept . ,

San Diego Zoo, Box 551, San Diego,
California 92112.

KEEPER POSITIONS OPEN

Asheville Nature Center

salary: $2. 80 /hr. or
$2. 86/hr., after train-
ing.

Contact: Dr. Richard
W. Burton, Curator,
Asheville Nature Ctr. ,
Gashes Creek Rd. ,
Asheville, N.C. 28805

141

LEGISLATION by Tom Goldsberry. Portland Zoo, Portland, Oregon

Keepers can breathe a bit easier, at least for this year. The famous
Dingeil bills, HR70 and HR 6631, which would require all keepers to be
licensed and subject to a stiff fee, have not received hearings from
the Congressional Sub committee to which they have been referred.

A recent issue of the Zoo^ct Bulletin states, "While it is too early
to say that they are definitely dead, it must be assumed that their
chance of passage are greatly diminished as Coiigress races to enact
more urgent legislation before the probable November adj oumcient , "

AKF FINANCIAL STATEMENT for the quarter ending 30 Sept,, 1976
Cash on hand, 30 June 1976 .,...$873.00

AAZK Journal sales...... 66.00

MF T-shirts 195.00

Memberships, 195.00

Postage. $251, 73

Office supplies. 41.25

Printing. 88.15

T-shirts... 163.48

Phene 3.08

Pro-rated refund. 2.50

fiaintenance contract 93. 15

Petty cash.... 5.00

648.34

1329.03

Cash on hand, 30 Sept., 1976 $680.69

Accounts receivable 56.57

142

Please remaji&er that Nowsijer is the isonth to send in your MZK
nsasfi>ership renewals. There are two important changes this year you
should be aware of. First* any s^,ssbership not renewed by Dec. 31
will be dropped from the roils and that individual will not receive
a January M.F. Secondly, there will be no subscription rate for 1977.
AKF will only be available to AAZK a^D^ers.

When sending in a renewal , please indicate you are renewing so your
check will not be processed as a new issiabership. Send to; AAZK HQ,
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PAKK, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009.

143

i- i

# -
s ^

m

O

r> 'g.

o ^ ^

Gs Si —

CO ^

O

ANIMAL KEEPERS' FORUM

DEDICATED TO PROFESSIONAL ANIMAL CARE

VOLUME III NUMBER 12

DECEMBER 1976

ANIMAL KEEPERf/ FORUM

Edited by ,Roa Kaufiaaia

Topeka Zoological Park, 635 Gage Blvd. •
Topeka, Kmss-js 66606 USA

AaiBial Keepers* Form is a monthly pubiication distributed by the
Atcericaa. Association of Zoo Keepers as a servi-ce to its members.
Articles in this publication, may be reprinted. Credit to this pub-
lication is requested. Reprints of any article may be requested by
writing the editors.

MATERIAL SUBMITTSD FOR PUBLICATION IS SUBJ.ECI TO REVIEW BY THE
EDITORS. THE VIEWS OF THE AUTHORS MAY NOT rfiCESSAPJ.LY REFLECT
THE VIEWS OF THE STAFF OF .ANIMAL KEEFERS^ FORUM OR OF THE .AAEK,

/iAZK Board of Diractori^

Bela Demeter, Washington, D.G. PRESIDENT
dirls LaRue s Topeka, Kansas vICE "-PRESIDENT

liike Dee, Los Angeles, California
Ed Roberts, Boston, Massachusetts
Pat Sass , Chicago, Illinois

AAZK MEMBERSHIP INFORMAT* ON

Apr I LI ATE {Keepers), Assoc f ate .$10.00 annually

Fore i cm i 5 , 00 annually
Student 5 • annually

CONTR I BUT IMG (OrGAN I EAT I ON5 .IH^.OO ANNU.ALLY

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TOS .AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEFERS.

aAZK HEMBERSH5P i NCLUDES SU8SCR ! PT i ON TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER,

Animal Keepers* Forum and the annual publ scat ; on, THE KEEPER; Journal
OF THE American Assoc i at son of Zoo Kee.pers. All members receiv'e an

AAZK SHOULDER PATCH AND A MEMBERSHIP CARD GOOD FOR FREE AOMiSSiON TO
MANY ZOOS AND AQUARfUMS IN THE U.S, AND CANADA.

Send name a.no address and check or money order to; AAZK HQ,
National Zoological Park, Washington, D.C. 20OO9.

DEADLINE FOR EACH EDITION OF AKF IS THE 20th OF THE PRECEDING MONTH.

LIVING TROPHIES REVISITED by Tom Goldsberry, Washington Park Zoo,

Portland, Oregon

After reading the two fine reviews of this book in previous issues of
AKF, I would like to add a few comments.

Perhaps the gentlest thing that can be said about this 246 page book
is that it is not 247 ‘pages. Although Living Trophies contains much
valid criticism regarding present-day animal care and husbandry, many
of these points are skilfully Sandid-ched between sentences or para-
graphs of a more sensational nature, thus providing a smokescreen of
validity for all of the material. Therefore, by the time the reader
has reached the otherwise ^ood observations in Part Three, he has been
subjected to such a shotgun blast of half-truths, falsehoods, snide
remarks and innuendoes , that all sense of objectivity has been left
far behind. Of course there are bad zoos in this country; there are
also bad supermarkets , drugstores , massage parlors and eye clinics .

The point is, however, that when you select a negative zero base, your
final result will be negative.

The propaganda begins on the dust jacket where the blurb infotiss us
that this book is a "Shocking Look at the Conditions in Aiasrica's Zoos'*
...not a few zoos... all zoos. This states^nt is accompanied by a
picture of a tiger behind bars wearing a very typical tiger look?
typical, that is, if you're a zoo person. If yourare an average zoo-
goer this picture will trigger a sympathetic reaction, which is exact-
ly as the authors intended.

On the inside of the dust jacket we are told Peter Batten is "One of
the foremost Humsnitariain activists in the country". This huasbla
pronouncement is compounded by a statensent on page three "That numer-
ous self-acclaimed wildlife experts, who appear td recognize opportun-
ity’s knock, are exploiting the animals’ plight to personal advantage".
This is one of the oldest psychological ploys known: disavow an action
or situation, assume a "who, me?" profile, then promptly embark on the
same self-promoting course.

Even the ^-ogistics supporting the research supposedly done on the book
is questionable. Batten claims he and a Deborah Stancil, a defrocked
keeper cum notebook, cavorted 22,000 iniles in ^our months gathering

144

material. There are notes on 104 eoos they claimed to have visited.
This evens out to twenty-six zoos a 'smjnth; a little over six a week,
and more than one a day. Assuming Batten and friend eat, sleep, and
drive in the same manner as the rest of us mortals, this would seem
to confirm that many (if not all) zoos received, at best, only a
cursory glance. Back to the negative zero base again.

Even allowing for the pre-Peter Rabbit syyle in which this book is
written, many staten^nts in Living Trophies show an appalling lack of
basic zoological fundainentals . l^en the dynamic duo breathlessly tell
of a gorilla in a cage "further concealed by a glass partition" or, a
T? news report of a giraffe birth "unconsciously revealing the asphalt
surface to which the baby fell", they display a singular lack of basic
primate hygiene and ftsidamental giraffe husbandry. Unfortunately, the
la3nEan (for whose pocketbook this book is obviously intended) who reads
this kind of cheap sensationalism, will probably not know that glass
partitions are routinely used in primate enclosures to prevent the
spread of disease, nor, will he stop to consider that the hard, sun-
baked savannah habitat of the giraffe is just as hard as the concrete
floor of a zoo. Furthermore, will the layman realize that the initial
jolt the giraffe foal receives is necessary to stimulate respiration
and circulation? I doubt it.

Another statement that spotlights the shoot-from-tha-hip zoology of
Batten and friend is, "Giant pandas are rare in their native Szechuan
province". This is pure conjecture. Not only is the panda not rare in
Szechuan province , it is not even confined to Szechuan province. The
panda’s range extends for some 800 miles from Tsinghai province south
into northern Yunnan province. The total area of the present habitat
may therefore cover some 400,000 miles. Their range and mumbers have
been estimated anywhere from one animal per square kilometer to one
anisjal to one main valley. It is the Chinese embargo on these animals,
their inaccessible habitat , plus the fact they have never bred in a
Western zoo that makes them rare at all.

Batten and friend, who profess to be so vitally concerned with anthro-
pomorphism and lack of ethics, would do well to check two asinine
statea^nts on page 54. One statement reads... are you ready for this...
"The typical orangutan family rivals the Waltons in integrity, honesty,
humor and earthiness...". A statement such as this reveals not only
maudlin anthropomorphism in the highest sense, but borders on mental
retardation.

145

Their lack of ethics is exposed twenty-one words later when they state
unequivocally, '’This remarkable ape (orangutan) has escaped serious
study to date". I wonder what Batten and what 's -her -name were doing
when John MacKinnon was gatherlnghis extensive material for In Search
of the Red Ape. If the Living Trophies authors did not choose to ac-
knowledge the brilliant work of this dedicated zoologist , they might
have referred to the eighteen years of field study of Barbara
Harrisson, who is begrudgingly mentioned on page 20 IN THEIR OWN BOOKi

Keepers, as might be expected in a publication of this kind, also share
ai\ ambiguous examination. An occasional bone is tossed to a keeper who
has cooperated fully in the research. Mdre often than not we are treat-
ed to some snide remark such as , "All zookeepers had left the zoo right
on time, leaving visitors inside" (page 113). If the authors had wish-
ed to be truly objective they would have mentioned a few of the many
instances in which keepers have stayed on their own time, or come in
on their days off to care for an ailing animal, without double-time -
and" a -half as an apprentice pipe fitter or a sewer worker would
receive .

No zoo sign or brochure is too obscure to avoid the scrutiny of the
authors. In several instances our attention is diverted to a mis-
spelled word or sign at some zoo. This being the case, someone other
than the authors must have edited Living Trophies or they would have
certainly corrected the nine typographical error-^ I found without much
effort .

And on it goes. There certainly -is a need for an objective book on
the problems of today’s zoos, but, Living Trophies isn’t it. Perhaps
a suitable sequel to Living Trophies XTOuld be a biography of Batten
and friend... and entitled Living Atrophies.

DON’T FORGET.. .THIS COULD BE YOUR LAST ANIMAL KEEPERS’ FORUM!!!

If you haven’t sent in your renewal, do so nowl December 31 is the
deadline. . .beyond that, your name will be dropped from the rolls.
See the meni>ership information on the inside front cover for more
details. And, while you’re at it, why not get a friend to join?

146

OF VSTERINARIANS AND KEEPERS by Joseph T. Blelitzki, DVM, MS,

Topeka Zoological Park

The single most important event during the copulatory act must be ejac-
ulation. =. the actual i-Xitroductioit of jgperm into the entrance of the
female reproductive tract. Quite frequently, an animal is seen to
mount and intromission occurs, but this in no way insures that ejacu-
lation has occurred. For that matter, many species will show repeated
mountings by the male with ejaculation only occurring once during the
mating.

The stimulus required for ejaciilation is also quite variable. As a
general rule, an animal whose penis has a considerable amount of
erectile tissue, ejaculates on a combined temperature, pressure and
friction stimulation. Those species showing a fibrinous penis with
little erectile tissue will usually ejaculate on temperature stimulus
alone. Others will ejaculate on both temperature and pressure, or in
a few cases, on a pressure stimulus alone.

To further generalize, those species requiring pressure, temperature
and friction require a longer period of stimulation to ehaculate,
while those whose only requirement is temperature stimulation show a
very short period of intromission prior to ejaculation.

Ejaculation and lubrication by the male are controlled by the sympathe-
tic nervous system. Again, as v/itli erection (lEider parasympathetic
control) the autonomic nervous system is responsible for the coordina-
tion of the act of copulation. When external stimulation has reached
a certain level, the sympathetic nerves in the hypogastric plexus show
an increase in activity resulting in the contraction of the smooth
musculature surrounding the vas deferens and the seminal vesicles.

This forces semen (a mixture of seminal fluid and sperm) Into the male
urethral tract where parasympathetic nerves cause a rhythmic contract-
ion resulting in the forceful discharge of semen.

Electroejaculation is a method for collecting semen for artificial in-
semination or evaluation. The reason it works is that both the para-
sympathetic nerves involved with erection, and the sympathetic nerves,
involved with ejaculation, are in close proximity to the rectum. A
probe is placed in the rectum, and low voltage , low amperage current

147

stimulates these nerves and results in the collection of a reasonably
normal ejaculate.

For those who are purists, the act of coitus is a true reflex arc with
very little upper neuronal control once arousal has been achieved.
Animals who are spinal (have had the spinal cord severed in the neck
region) are capable of erection, ejaculation and even pelvic thrusting.
So, just like walking, the male is not required to consciously think
about moving his hips,* the body goes on automatic pilot and ejaculation
occurs smoothly. This fact, however, would probably not protect the
individual involved in a paternity suit who claimed "it was not my
fault... my body just did it".

FROM THE SEGBETARY

National Headquarters
National Zoological Park
Washington, D.C. 20009

Shortly after he took office as President, Bela Deu^ter realized that,
if he was to do the job he wanted to, some sort of paid help would be
essential. As your past Executive Secretaries can testify, there is
an enoniKJus amount of routine office work to be done, even in a rela-
tively small organisation ^uch as AAZK. More often than not your Sec-
retary found misBelf falling farther and farther behind as he strug-
gled to keep up with applications, requests for information, corres-
pondence, and policy matters, not to mention his regular eight-hour-
a-day job.

Help arrived this past suraroar in the form of a grant from the Friends
of the National Zoo (FONZ) for the purpose of hiring a part -tins sec-
retary. And, luckily for me, I was working as a Tour Guide at the Zoo
and looking for just such a job that would allow irse to continue Guiding.

As you probably realize, one result is that your President has been able
to concentrate on organizational matters vital to the growth (and,
perhaps even to the continued existence) of AAZK. Many of the policies
he has set in motion, such as the system of regional coordinators, were
thought of and discussed in the past, but the additional demands on >> u

148

your officers laade implensentation impossible.

Another result should be fewer delays in membership services .. .not only
because I can give them the attention they deserve, but also because
we have, at last, a permanent National Headquarters. Judging by the
boxes of records that arrived here from varaeus parts of the country,
some of which had never caught up with the last aK)ve, I think it’s a
wonder previous administrations didn't throw up their hands in despair
and head for the hills.

For that matter, we ake still catching up with this last and final move.
Understandably testy letters occasionally arrive from numbers whose

cards vanished a hole soir^where and whose names dropped magically

from mailing lists. These letters will continue to receive priority
treatment, and with any luck we think the worst is over,

I am delighted to have this opportunity to thank all of you, vthrough
this newsletter, for your understanding and forbearance during this
sometia^s difficult and confusing transition. You have been remark-
ably patient and good-humored throu^ It all, and I am enormox^ly
grate f ul .

NEWS ITS^. . .Jill Grade is the new Election Committee chairman, and
RrLck Steenberg is the International Affairs Coordinator,

A Directory of aeiiibers will be out soaetime around next March. All
mentjers are encouraged to attend the AAZPA regional workshops in their
afeas. More, we would like laembers to consider presenting papers at
these workshops. Kow about giving it some thou^t? The dates of the
meetings are:

Southern. . .Little Rock Zoological Gardens, A|ir. 17-20
Northeast .National Zoological Park, Apr, 3-7
Great Lakes ... Indianapolis Zoological Park, May 2-5
Central, . .San Antonio Zoological Gardens , May 22-25
Western. . .Seattle Aquarium, May 8-12

Watch this newsletter for information on topics and registration.
Again... we urge you all to attend. There will be many AAZK members
attending the workshops, and it’s a great opportunity to meet and
exchange ideas.

149

Reptile & Amphibian Potpourri

by Bela Demeter

One of our Canadian, readers lost a 6-year~old female iguana to what the
lab pathologist called gout. I think a lot of us have seen this and
have wondered how common it was , what caused it and what we could have
done to prevent it. Unfortunately, we don't have the answers to all
this, but Mike Davenport, author of the following article, gives us
some idea of what we’re dealing with...

Gout in reptiles is a disease characterized by deposits of uric acid
crystals in the joints of the body or in internal organs such as the
liver, kidneys, heart, and main b3.ood vessels. The form affecting the
joints can often be clinically diagnosed and the symptoms can include
swelling and pain there. The form affecting the organs is usually dis-
covered at necropsy.

Gout is frequently seen in. captive reptiles and is also reported as
occurring naturally in them. This disease has not been well investi-
gated in either case. Consequently, little is known about what factors
cause gout. The etiology of this disease in captive reptiles is often
attributed to excessive amomts of protein in the diet. Dehydration
is also thought to be a cause. Visceral gout is reported in captive
crocodilians. This leaves one asking why a caniivorous reptile which
should have good access to water would suffer from such a condition.
That is not to say th at “ dehydration and high protein diets could not
be contributing factors, but little or no investigation has been car-
ried out on the, effects of other dietary factors, microbial disease
organisms, temperature, stress, etc.

This disease can be induced in reptiles. Some of the antibiotics
frequently used in reptile medicine are nephrotoxic. It is recommend-
ed by that when these drugs are used, the patient be hydrated to

help prevent kidney damage. At the National Zoological Park, work is
being conducted by Dr. M. Bush to help determine safe, effective blood
levels in the use of the antibiotic gentamycin sulfate. The experi-
mental animals used are bullsnakes Pituophis melanoleucus ♦ Much work
remains to be done on this subject as the results may not be applicable
to the treatment of other species.

150

Gout is difficult to treat successfully. As many cases of gout take
the visceral form which is usually diagnosed upon the specimen's death,
preventative measures would seem to be the most the likely method to
use when dealing with this problem. Ready access to water and balanced
natural diets are recommended to prevent gout. However, this may be
difficult with many reptile species because their natural diets and
nutrient requirements are poorly known. Until the factors which cause
or contribute to gout are iJiore thoroughly investigated, there is little
hope that it can be successfully treated.

REFERENCES

Frye, F.L. (1973); Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery in Captive Reptiles.
VM Publishing, Inc. Bonner Springs, Kansas. 140 pp.

Wallach, J.D. and Hoessle, C. (1967): Visceral gout in captive reptiles
JAVm 153; 863-865,

Wallach, J.D. (1971); Environmental and nutritional diseases of captive
reptiles. JAVMA 159: 1632-1643.

DIRECT ALL COMMENTS TO R.A.P., DIVISION OF REPTILES AND AMPHIBIANS,
NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20009

TORONTO KEEPER DIES

We regret to announce that Christopher James Beck, Animal Keeper at
the Metro Toronto Zoological Society, Toronto, Ontario, a.Jover of
animals, was accidently killed, not by the animals he loved, in
Toronto on Septeriser ISth. Any donations should, at his request, be
forwarded to the Canadian Wildlife Federation, 1673 Carling Avenue,
Ottawa , Ontario, Canada, K2A iC4.

The American Association of Zoo Keepers aiid the staff of Animal
Keepers ' Forum extends their condolences to Christopher's faxaily and
many friends.

151

RESULTS OF ANIMAL KEEPER SURVEY II by Judie Steenberg,

Sedgwick County Zoo

Part 1

Of 715 surveys mailed to mani)ers of the Arserican Association of Zoo
Keepers, subscribers to Animal Keepers' Forum and the keeper staff of
a few selected zoo, 206 (29%) were returned. The surveys were from
keepers and other pers9nnel at 67 zoological institutions; 63 zoos, 1
aquarixim, 1 museum, 1 science center and the circus store.

An interesting, somewhat unexpected fact emerged. Of the total number
of surveys returned, 82 (40%) were from women.

Not all of the surveys receivjed were from keepers presently employed
in the profession. The breakdown was as follows;

182 presently working as keepers

8 formerly keepers (no longer in zoos)

2 recently moved into njanages^nt positions
7 already at management level

4 volunteers

3 part “time and student /intern

The 24 surveys from people other than keepers contained the following
information:

16

21

18

22

8

16

15

(67%) had previous animal experience (farm, lab animals,
pet business 5 vet hospitals or zoos)

(88%) had some degree of college education,

1.. . masters degree

11.. .four year degree

9.. . 0ne to three years of college
(75%) were continuing their education

(92%) were members of AAZK...four for 8 years, three from
3 to 6 years, eleven from 1 to 3 years and four for
less than 1 year

(33%) indicated they have attended AAZK Conferences.

Chicago was the most heavily attended
(67%) are msemibers of AAZPA

(63%) are mieii&ers of one or more wildlife organizations

152

Disco'untitig the seven surveys received from students and volunteers*

II stated they had a training program for new keepers. 7 said they
had an on-going program for all personnel. On-the-job trMning was
checked on fifteen of the surveys.

The section regarding previous experiences that were beneficial result
ed in a variety of answers. Many surveys gave a combination answer
with school and work experiences given as the most helpful.

The following statistics are from the 182 surveys returned by keeper's
presently employed in the profession.

EMPLOYMENT DATA

Number of years at present
place of employment:

under 1.. 8i 5%

1 to 2h,,6A 35%

3 to 5 ..51 28%

6 to 10,. 35 19%

11 to 20,. 17 9%

21 to 30.. 7 4%

Title of present position;

Novice.

8

4%

Keeper I .

96

53%

Keeper II (includes

Senior & Lead Keeper)

64

35%

Other.

14

8%

The ''Other” category included ^oo managenient trainee, animal caretaker
ranger* attendant, trainer, journeyman, keeper supervisor, assistaiit
lead keeper, assistant keeper and seasonal.

Regular ..141 77%

Relief.......... 3i 17%

Both. 3 2%

Not Indicated... 7 4%

The question "Do you work with a specific order of animals?” proved to
be confusing and too restrictive. However, it was possible to glean
some data from the answers given.

153

147 did not work with a specific order
3 gave no answer

32 do work with a specific order ^ 19 of which
work with primates

Other orders listed were; camivoraj artiodactylaj marsupalia and the
falconi formes . Although many keepers listed birds, reptiles and am-
phibians as their specialities, it wasn’t possible to use the data '
meaningfully.

105 keepers (58%) indicated some previous experience with a5.Aiirials,
Souk: listed more than one kind of involvement.

30 worked with soo animals. ..... 17%

22 worked in animal hospitals. .. 12%
15 worked with lab animals 8%
12 worked with farm animals 7%

Other categories werej educational training and volunteer work, govern'
ment agencies, pet shops, personal pets and private collections, dogs
(grooming, kennel work and training) , horses (riding and training) ,
cat breeder, psittacine breeder, museum live collections, farrier,
falconry, naturalist and the circus,

PART TWO OF THIS ANIllAL KEEPERS SURVEY WILL APPEAR IH THE JANUARY, 1977
ISSUE OF ANIMAL KEEPERS' FOPvUK.

41st Wildlife Conference Transactions Ready Outdoor Hews Bulletin

Transactions of the 41st North American Wildlife and Natur^al Resources
Conference are now available, the Wildlife Management Institute reports.

This year’s 634~page indexed volume contains all the presentations and
floor discussions at the general and technical 'sessions of the 4ist
program. The names of all conference registrants also are listed.

Copies may be ordered from the Institute, 709 Wire Building, 1000
Vermont Avenue, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20005 at the cost of publication
price of $8.50 (postpaid)

154

26 PRIMATES DESIQiArSD AS ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES

A recent survey by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has resulted in
a rulemaking published in the October 19 issue of the Federal Register.
An additional 26 prixaates have been added to the list of threatened
or endangered species. The action raises the total to 54. 12 species

are being listed as endangered and 14 are being listed as threatened.

Ten of the species that are listed occur in Asia. A.frica hosts II
and Latin Aaaerica has 5.

Ten Asian Primates. . .Military activities and other habitat disruptions
have contributed to the decline of four Indochinese species. The ,
destruction of forests for coconut, tea, teak, and rubber plantations
was the tojor factor affecting six other species in India, Sri Lanka,
Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Japan. Collection
for bioiasdical research, use of some species as food by man, and the
pet trade also influenced these six species. The Asian species in the
recent listing include:

Francois ’ leaf as>nkey . ... ......... . endangered

Lesser slow ioris threatened

Tonkin snub-nosed monkey. .......... threatened

Stumptail macaque,, threatened

Philippine tarsier. threatened

Fonnosan rock macaque threatened

Japanese macaque threatened

Toque macaque threatened

Purple-faced langur threatened

Loxig-t ailed langur. threatened

Eleven African Primates. . .Extensive logging in a mumber of countries
stretching along the western A.frican coast from Senegal to Gabon in
equatorial Africa is the principal cause of the plight of many of the
primates. Being hunted for human food is a second factor. Further,
a third influence is the collection of soi^ of the more colorful
species for zoological display in the west. In northeast Africa, in-
tensive agriculture and settleiaent is forcing one species that occurs
only in a small area of northern Ethiopia onto poorer quality land.

155

Soise species are eico being illegally collected and exported for sci-
entific reyearcb. The 11 African primates included in the listing are

l/iana. luonlcey

Red-eared noae-spottad monkey. ......

Red-bellied monkey

L 'hoest * s iir>nkey

VJhite-coilarad mangabey, ............

black co»obu3 ....... ...... ..........

Mandrill .............................

I5rrllc a. .........

Gelada baboon. . . .

Chiiapansee .......

Pygiay Chimp ai'> see.

endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
endangered
threat endd
threatened
threatened

Five Latin i\marican Priiaates, = .The loss of forest to farming and log-
ging is the principal reason for the decline of ail of theh:e species
in the nine Central and South Aii^rican eotintries where they occur.
These countries are Mexico , Panama, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Colotdiia,
Brassil , Peru, and Bolivia. The five species listed are:

Cotton-top marsirset
Pied taiiiarin

Yellow-tailed woolly sKjnkey
Miite-footed tamarin
Lazy howler monkey

eudatigersd

endangered

endangered

threatened

threatened

^ ^ ^ iV * 5% ^ jV A ^ ^ * jV ^ sfe w

LOOSING FOR INTERESTING READBIG?

Look no further thaii the November issue of Natural History magazine.
It's volume 85, number 9. The article is called "The Ape in Stateroom
10", by Kenneth A.R. Kennedy and John C. Whittaker, It is what is
likely the first history written on the first gorilla brought to the
United States. A photograph is even included. Look for it on page
48 through 53.

OH. . .AND HAVE A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS! 1 1

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