AAZK newsletter

HAY 1969

VOL.2, NO. 5

AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO KEEPERS

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
3388 Granada Avenue
San Diego, California 92104
714-298-4980

Executive Secretary

RICHARD G SWEENEY (Chairman)
San Diego Zoological Gardens

JUDY FIELDS (Vice-Chairman)
Oklahoma City Zoo

CLAUDE SHARPE

Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, N. Y.

KEN KENNEDY
Vancouver, Canada

ROBERT CRAWFORD
Lincoln Park, Chicago

PERRY N ALEXANDER

Roeding Park Zoo, Fresno, Calif.

CONRAD A GRAYSON (Treasurer)
San Diego Zoological Gardens

National

Honorary Members
MARVIN L. JONES
GLORIA STEWART
JAMES M STEWART

CURRENT REPORTERS FOR MAY

DICK SWEENEY,Odds & Ends,San Diego Zoological Gardens
KEN KENNEDY,Stanley Park Zoo,Vancouver,Canada
RICHARD W. LAINE,Duluth Zoo,Duluth,Minnesota
BOB COLLINGE,Topeka Zoological Park, Topeka,Kansas
VERNON OSWALD,Cincinnati Zoo,Cincinnati,Ohio
ROBERT CRAWFORD,Lincoln Park Zoo 7 Chicago,Ill.

KATHY ARENDS,St.Louis Zoo,St* Louis,Missouri
DAN S0UTHWICK,3outhwick Birds & Animals,Inc.,Mass*
CARL FILE,San Diego Zoological Gardens
NIKI TALLEY,Mohawk Zoo,Tulsa,Okla®

INDEX

Miscellaneous Items of Interest-—-——-——Pg. 1-5

Answers to Last Month's AAZK Quiz-----Pg. 5

Stanley Park Zoo News-——-——— Pg. 6

News from the Duluth Zoo-™—*------Pg. 7

News from Topeka Zoo———————-— -pg, 8

From Knowland Park Zoo's News-—-Pg. 8

Cincinnati Zoo News-----*-*— ————Pg. 9

News from Lincoln Park Zoo--—--— Pg, 10

News from the St. Louis Zoo————pg, 10

News from Southwick Birds & Animals,Inc®--——Pg. 11

San Diego Zoo News————--—--———-——Pg, 11

From 89 The Big Splash” News Release

from Oklahoma City Zoo---—Pg, 13

Request for Correspondence from Tulsa

by Niki Talley— —————————-Pg, 14

”Please” authored by Dr. Philip Ogilvie-Pg. 16

Conservation News reported by Ken Willingham-—-Pg* 17

Care,Feeding,Handling,and Training of

Zoo Elephants by Val De Leon—-— -pg, 18

Zoos of the World-The Black Hills Reptile Gardens

reported by Earl Brockelsby—-——-Pg. 20

CREDITS DUE; Mr. Ken Fess,Seneca Park Zoo would like to
list the reference materials used in authoring the paper
that appeared in the ”AAZK Brochure” entitled ”The
Squirrel Monkey.”

REF: ”The Squirrel Monkey”,Leanard A.Rosenblun, Dept,
of Phychiatry, State University of N.Y., Downstate Medical
Center, Brooklyn, N.Y.

Robert W. Cooper, Institute of Comparative Biology,
Zoological Society of San Diego, San Diego, Calif.

CATSKILL PINKER MEETING

There will be a special Dinner Meeting of the AAZK at
the Famous Catskill Game Farm,Catskill,N.Y.,on June 20
(Friday), 1969 * Mr. Richard G. Sweeney,National Executive
Secretary of AAZK will be the guest speaker for the
occasion.

It is hoped that a fine turn-out of eastern AAZK members
could attend the first eastern meeting of the national
organization. Mr. Sweeney will afford us a glimpse of op¬
erational procedures of national headquarters.

PROGRAM PLANNED: Tour of the Famous Catskill Game Farm

Friday,June 20 P.K.

Dinner:Game Farm Restaurant?7*30P.M.,Friday June 20,1969
Films Full Color sound film "The San Diego Zoo Story
AddresssMr. Dick Sweeney,Exec. Sec./'The AAZK and the
Modern Zoological Park

MOTELS:The Lawerence House:located right near the Catskill
Game Farm will afford visiting AAZK members fine accomo¬
dations at reasonable rates:

SIMILE 1 $4.00 per night

DOUBLE: 2 people $10*00 per night

ALL RESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE DIRECT TO THE MOTEL

PLEASE STATE YOU ARE WITH AAZK WHEN RESERVING

IF YOU PLAN TO ATTEND THE DINNER-MEETING, PLEASE NOTIFY
REGIONAL COORDINATOR NO LATER THAN MAY 30*1-969.

WRITE TO: Kir* Edward Roberts,AAZK Regional Coordinator
228 Ferry St.

Everett,Mass. 02149

FOR MOTEL RESERVATIONS WRITE TO: Lawerence House, Route 1,
Catskill,N.Y.12414

REGISTRATION FEE FOR MEETING IS FIVE($5.00) PER PERSON.
This fee will pay for the dinner and beverages served at
the meeting. Please pay this fee when registering at
Catskill or forward to Mr. Edward Roberts at above address.

AAZK WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS (*) denotes associate member
Richard M« Gage-Sealand of Cape Cod

George R.King-Sealand of Cape Cod

Leo Gilbert-Lineoln,Neb. Children's Zoo
Ralph Price-Louisville, Ky.

Wallace Pharr-Atlanta,Ga•

Barbara Ann Wallace-Atlanta,Ga•

Edward A. Myers-Atlanta,Ga.

James H. Marlett-Witchita,Kansas
William A. Miller-Knowland Park

Massachusetts SPCA-Boston,Mass.

Richard Wohlgemuth-Louisville,Ky.

Hans Becker-Los Angeles Chapter member
Mark D. Pyfitz-Xndianapolis,Ind.

Pamela M. Lu Kaszewski-Tucson,Arizona
Jack Ely-Lansing,Mich.

Barbara Bailey-Knasas City
James P. Taylor-Wichita,Kansas
Paul Peranio-Baltimore,Md«

Tom Whittinghill-Lincoln Pk., Chicago

Ronald Anderson-lineoln Pk®,Chicago
Arthur Miller-Birmingham s Ala.

Martha Edwards-Birmingham,Ala.

Bonnie A® Storm-Kous ton, Texas

Ruth B. Alloway-Columbus,Ohio
Martha Ann Watson-Houston,Texas

Sally Ann Chalmers-Houston,Texas
Robert Houk-Memphis,Tenn® *

Bob Elgin-Des Moines,Xowa*

Ron Blakeley-Sedgewick Co. Zoo*

C.B.Rogers,Assistant Director-Denver 9 Colo.*

HOLD

STILL!

IT® s
CHOW

tike 11

BOLIKDA, female Przewalski Horse (Equus caballus
przewalskii) is too busy for the camera. Mother, Bonette,
keeps a wary eye on our photographer. The youngster was
born April 8, at the San Diego Zoo.

a)

<

A VERY SPECIAL THANK YOU goes to our friend and colleague,
Marvin L. Jones^for his very generous donation of a
portable cassette recorder for one of the members of our
Board of Trustees, The Board plans to use these recorders
when communicating and Marvin wanted to help us get a
start. The recorder he donated is being sent to Judy
Fields, Vice Chairman of the Board, Just five more to
go and we’re all set. Thanks very much, Marvin, for
your generosity, (DICK SWEENEY)

LAST CALL

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THE INTERNATIONAL
ZOO NEWS THROUGH THE SPECIAL AAZK OFFER-PLEASE FORWARD
YOUR NAME TO AAZK HQ, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, THIS OFFER OF
A GREATLY DISCOUNTED SUBSCRIPTION RATE IS BEING MADE
EXCLUSIVELY FOR AAZK MEMBERS. YOU SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE
OF IT,

WINNERS

The following names are the winners in the AAZK fund¬
raising raffle. The drawing was held at the 1st Western
Regional AAZK Conference, April 11,1969.

1st Prize-Thoraas H® Livers, Louisville,Ky,

2nd Prize-J. Poventud, Milwaukee,Wise,

3rd Prize-D @ Rigoni, Stickney, Ill®

4th Prize-Charles Neel, Plainfield, Ill.

NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF ZOO
KEEPERS PROUDLY ANNOUNCES the following appointees to the
National Board of Trustees,

Mr. Richard G, Sweeney f Exec. Sec,,Chairman,S,D»Zoo

Mrs. Judy Fields,Vice Chairman, Oklahoma City Zoo

Mr. Robert Crawford, Member, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago

Mr. Claude Sharpe, Member* Seneca Pk. Zoo,Rochester,N.Y.

Mr. Ken Kennedy,Member, Stanley Pk. Zoo,Vancouver

Mr. Perry Alexander, Member, Roeding Pk. Zoo,Fresno,Ca.

Mr, Conrad Grayson,National Treasurer,San Diego

IN ORDER TO ASSURE THE CONTINUED GROWTH OF THE AAZK to
national status, it has become necessary to consider an
entirely new dues structure effective on June 30fl969.

With the increased cost of our national publication,
the AAZK NEWSLETTER, and the increased costs of national

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headquarter’s operation, a more feasable working capital
is needed.

If we are to increase the quality and quantity of our
services, and grow in proportion to the increasing interest
of our national membership, we must ask that the new dues
structure be effected. All dues payable to national he ade¬
quate rs will- be $5*00 per member, covering all memberships-
affiliate, associate, and chapter assessments per member.

This one figure will be the only amount due to national
headquarters.

Effective June 30 1 all members who have or will be covered
by the new rate will receive newsletters by individual
address mailing. All chapters whose assessments are due
in Jan. 1970 will pay the new rate. As each chapter pays
the $5.00 assessment per member, all chapter members will
receive individual mailing of newsletter and all other
correspondence from national headquarters.

It should be understood that national headquarters re¬
ceives no other subsidies other than dues. It receives no
support from the San Diego Zoo, since it operates on an
independent basis.

At present there are no salaries or office rents involved
and all national monies are utilised to improve our services
to its membership.

The AAZK is bordering on a bright future, with the pro¬
spects of great achievements, but in order for us to pro¬
gress, we need the financial support of its members.

I hope you will understand the necessity for the impend¬
ing increase in dues, and will support us in our worthy
endeavors. Chapters will have to adjust individual dues
structures accordingly.

DICK SWEENEY, EXEC. SEC.

CONFERENCE SPEECHES

Copies of all AAZK Conference Speeches presented at
the stern AAZK Workshop at Fresno on April 11-12, will be
published one each month in AAZK NEWSLETTER, excepting
those published in the post conference brochure,

AAZK NEWSLETTER

All AAZK chapters are encouraged to produce publications
on a local level, using their own individual paper names,

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<

such as the American Zookeeper published by the Los Angeles
Chapter, Chapters can actually produce fancier appearing
publications than National Headquarters since materials
and machinesjsuch as Los Angeles^are some times available
without charge, and more volunteer services are available.

The AAZK NEWSLETTER, our national publication, is pro¬
duced entirely by national headquarters and from national
dues, and all news is submitted by our national member¬
ship, Although our quality will continue to increase, we
have to work within our budget, and cannot, at this time,
produce a flashy format. The cost of AAZK NEWSLETTER is
approximately $2,5^ per member per year, so its under¬
standable that we are more interested in providing national
organization news. Longer educational articles can be
produced by chapter publication of journal type. These
publications would have access to chapter fund raising
projects for support, whereas our national publication
AAZK NEWSLETTER is to provide an exchange of news and tips
from all members, and only by the support of membership
dues.

AAZK NEWSLETTER SUBSCRIPTION RATES WILL BE $3.00 PER
YEAR EFFECTIVE MAY 1,1969.

OUR MISTAKE

The AAZK Newsletter Vol. 2,No. 3? March 1 969 ,erroneously
printed the zoos that 2 of our members are associated with.
Mr, Charles C. Gilman is employed at the Franklin Park
Children*s Zoo, which is operated by the Boston Zoological
Society.

Mr, James F. Burge, Jr, is employed at the Franklin Park
Elephant House in the Main Zoo, which is operated by the
Metropolitan District Commission,

Cur apologiesli

OPERATION CONCERN* GOING I NT O HIGH GEAR

The conservation project of the AAZK called **0peration
Concern" will soon become a reality. Negotiations are now
being made with the Topeka Zoological Park, Topeka,

Kansas, for the first AAZK exhibit.

We will purchase 1.2 Red Uakaris to become the first of
what we hope will be many such exhibits in member zoos
across the nation.

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This exhib5t will b© identified as part of 11 Operation
Concern*', the zoo keeper's contribution to the preservation
of rare species of wildlife • AAZK members will be afforded
the privilege of maintaining these exhibits by instituting
procedures to stimulate breeding, maintaining records,
providing reports of progress etc. AAZK will be the ex¬
clusive owner of the exhibited species and will assume all
responsibilities of their welfare.

Plans are now being made to provide a fine exhibit area
for the Uakaris and we are asking all interested parties to
pledge their support by sending contributions to EXHIBIT
FUND, OPERATION CONCERN, AAZK NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS, 3388
Granada Ave., San Diego,Calif. 9^104.

"HELP US TO HELP OUR WILDLIFE."

BROOKFIELD CHAPTER OF AAZK ELECTS OFFICERS

The Brookfield Chapter of the AAZK has announced the
election of the following officers, Ed,Schneider, President;
Dick Soderlund, Vice-President and Reporter; Ralph Small,
Treasurer; Joanne Hager,Secretary.

ANYONE INTERESTED IN RECEIVING THE PHAMPHLET "TOGETHERNESS"

may obtain it by writing to Harold Brasie, P.0. Box 686 9

Sarasota,Florida 33578.

This booklet contains several interesting articles
authored by keepers and is published by the Central Nebraska
Packing Company.

*************************$*********************************
Our deepest sympathies go out to the families of two of
our members.

Wayne Palmer, 19 * member of the Oklahoma City Chapter, and
Sharon Cox,18,wife of member Paul Cox, also of Oklahoma,
were killed in a car accident on Easter Sunday. Paul is left

with his 4 year old son and 10 month old daughter.

************ ********* ********* ********* *****************

ANSWERS TO LAST MONTH'S AAZK QUIZ

1. Are there any birds that do not incubate their eggs?
The mound birds or megapodes of Australia as well as the
crocodile bird of Africa incubate their eggs by laying
their eggs on top of a pile of sticks, leaves and dirt

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i

they have scrapped together and covering the eggs. The
heat from the sun and the vegetation decomposing hatches
them. -

2. Are any countries free of poisonous snakes? Most
poisonous snakes are found in the temperate, subtropical
and tropical regions of the world, Madagascar, Ireland
and New Zealand are free of venomous snakes. There were
no snakes of any kind in Hawaii until accidental intro¬
duction of a harmless, wormlike, blind snake,

3. Do raccoons wash their food? If water is available,
the raccoon has been known to wash his food. It is believed
by some observers that they like the feel of the water and
are not necessarily just very clean eaters,

4. Why do monkeys search their hair? What is actually
being searched for is unknown, but the search is usually
rewarded because the animal will be seen poping something
into his mouth. It is speculated that they hunt for
parasites but even monkeys relatively free of these still
search their hair. Perhaps for dry flakes of skin or
particles of salt exuded by the skin,

STANLEY PARK ZOO NEWS reported by Ken Kennedy

I would like to thank all the keepers from the different
Zoos which I visited on my recent holiday in the Western
States, The time each spent showing me around was appre¬
ciated and extremely educational. If any members of AAZK
are coming to Vancouver, please feel free to get in
touch with me and I will return the hospitality that was
shown to me. Thank you all again.

Nesting activities at Stanley Park are off to a good
start. Seven mute swans, four black swans, several
Canadian geese and ducks are all sitting on nests. The
Cape Shelducks, Indian spot-billed ducks and Egyptian
geese are all showing signs of starting to nest. We have a
new shipment of laminated hill toucans and sulphur-breasted
toucans which will replace the budgerigars in one of our
aviary displays. Also recently acquired were two crowned
pigeons. We are anxiously awaiting the arrival of some
fruit bats, black and white hornbills, and spot-nose
monkeys to replace the golden spider monkeys in our island
display.

On April 19, Zoo staff at Stanley Park fed and cared

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for seven Humbolt penquins en route to Tokyo,Japan. They
missed plane connections so had to remain in Vancouver
for three days.

NEWS FROM THE DULUTH, MINNESOTA ZOO

reported by Richard W. Laine

Our Zoo was founded in 1923 with a purchase of 12 acres
of land. Our collection of animals now has 90 species and
210 head. The zoo staff consists of five keepers, a manager
and a director. It is owned by the City of Duluth, but
is operated by the Arrowhead Zoological Society which has
13 members on the Board of Directors.

Through the efforts of our director, Basil Norton, and
others, we now have a Master Plan format for potential
development of the zoo's facilities. I'm proud to say that
we have already begun Phase I which is the building of a
museum-education building. This museum will contain full
mounted specimens of wild life from all the major continents
of the world. This building will be constructed adjacent
to the present main building(lion house) with an entrance¬
way through our present zoo nursery. The nursery will then
be moved to a new location adjacent to the new museum.

Our present director has been with us since early 196?•

He is a graduate zoologist from Michigan State University.
After graduating from Michigan State, he worked at the
Lincoln Park Zoo. Mr. Norton trained under the famed R.
Marlin Perkins for approximately five years. Our staff and
the Society considers it fortunate to have a man of Mr.
Norton*s training and experience.

Looking into the futures I®ve been hearing a lot of
rumors that after the construction of the museum and
nursery we should think seriously about building a Child¬
ren's Zoo. If this rumor becomes a reality, then nothing
can stop the progression of the other phase of the Master
Plan.

Births at the Duluth Zoos

2 Polar Bear Cubs were born in early December. This
raises the collection of Polars to 5(2 adults, a 2 yr, old
and the 2 cubsl

4 Bengal Tigers born January 30. They may be viewed by
the public in our zoo nursery. There are 2 males & 2 Females.

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i

1 Bennet f s Wallaby-This little fella is just beginning
to poke his head out of the pouch,

2 African Crested Porcupines-These little fellas are
quite a spunky pair,

NEWS FROM TOPEKA ZOO reported by Bob Collinge

The Topeka Park Department crew recently constructed
a new hooved stock barn designed to house our pair of camels.
The camels are presently in our first hooved stock barn,
which is about a year old, but they will be moved to the
new barn soon to make room for sitatunga.

Work has also been done on the hooved stock yards, such
as leveling and filling with gravel.

We are sorry to report that student keeper, Chris LaRue
has been included into the army, and at this writing is
in basic training at Fort Leanard Wood, Missouri. Chris
was a keeper at the Topeka Zoo for approximately lj years.

faul Linger, General Curator, presented the program
at the April keeper meeting. He showed slides of Pittsburgh,
Washington,D.C*,Philadelphia, and Baltimore Zoos.

Acquisitionsi
1.0 cottontop marmoset

1 foamnest tree frog

2 American coot

Eirthsi 2.2 tree shrew

FROM KNOWLAND PARK Z00 9 S NEWS

When you want something done with speed and efficiency,
just call on Dr. Young and his staff of animal keepers.

Doc and Zoo Keeper Charles MacGowan came up with an
idea to enhance the cage area on the main terrace with an
exotic lizard display—not a great major display that would
take months to complete, but a sort of mini-set.

In his own inimitable way, Doc persuaded the board to
appropriate the funds, and before you could say "rhinoceros
iguana", the staff was at work with tropical plants and
running hot water, and large rocks, and before you could
say "false gervil", the new exhibit was completed! (We
can*t find that last one in the dictionary, so perhaps Doc
is right when he says the display is tenanted with

2 giant African millipedes
2 blue-tongued skinks
1.0 sitatunga

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’’imaginary lizards’ 9 *

Anyway,see(or don't see) for yourself right next to the
primates 1

CINCINNATI ZOO NEWS reported by Vernon Oswald

Although it may be a little late, we would like to re¬
port that on January 20,1969 p we had the distinct honor
of having Mr. Ed Maruska, Executive Director of the
Cincinnati Zoo, attend and swear in our officers for 1969*
This night was also our first open house, and from what
all the members report it was a real success. Our guest
numbered about fifty adults and children. After the swear¬
ing in of the officers, Mr. Maruska showed slides and
movies taken on his African safari, from which he had
returned just shortly before our meeting.

At the March meeting, Nocturnal House keeper Paul
Westerbeck showed that he is as adapt at giving lectures
on, as well as raising^bats. He gave a very interesting
talk on his observation of bats, both in captivity as
well as when he was on safari from the Zoo to Mexico in
1966. It was on this trip that he helped collect the bats
to start our bat colony here at the Zoo®

A special matter of interest to all the people here
at the Zoo, is the erection of a new exhibit. It was back
at the start of October that the air hammers began to
tear out the north end of the Bird House, now six months
later, a new concept of animal display is almost completed,
and should be ready very soon.

This display may be the first of its kind for zoo
exhibits-extended from and added onto the building is a
’’gunite” shell, the under side appears as a portion of the
Antarctic landscape for our new penquins. Lighting, paint,
and design take you all the way to the Antarctic.

The outside of the shell is made to resemble a cliff
display for sea coast birds. This could well be the first
time both sides of a dividing partition was used for two
completely different displays. After viewing the antarctic,
with its snowy tenants, one can walk just a few steps to
the outside and be off the coast of Maine.

The Cincinnati Zoo is proud of its pioneering efforts
in bringing the animals in a seemingly contact with the
public viewed without the obstruction of bars, and fences

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t

where ever possible. Giving the public the feeling of
being right in the animal’s pen. Just for the records,
our Lion and Bear grottos were completed and in use in 1935*

NEWS FROM LINCOLN PARK ZOO reported by Robert Crawford

Some recent additions to the Reptile Collection t
1 Radiated Tortoise(Testudo radiata)

1 Cantil( Mexican Water Moccasin)

1 Cottonmouth(Water Moccasin) 1 Blood Python( 5 feet)

1 Olive Water Python 1 Blotched Blue Tongued skink

2 Madagascar Day Geckos 2 Mexican Beaded Lizards

1/1 Jackson’s Chameleon 2 Turnip-tailed Geckos

6 Day Geckos(Conatodes vitatus) 2 House Geckos

Some interesting long time residents of our Reptile
Bldg, are- A King Cobra we’ve had since 1953 and a Olive
Python(liasis olivaceus) since 1962.

In the Zoo Nursery, thanks to Tony Martinez, his helpers,
and the Zoo Staff, the South American Bush Dog continues
to do well. The birth was accomplished by caesarean
section.

Th© Children’s Zoo collection was agumented by the
donation of a fine Toy Horse.Also being displayed are
a pair of baby Giant Anteaters.

At the Bird House, the recently hatched Cape Barren
Goose continues to thrive.

Tom Whittinghill, Keeper of the Small Mammal House,
went to the Mid West AAZPA Zoo Workshop in Kansas City.

Many thanks to the Lincoln Park Zoological Society who
made the trip possible.

A fine Marbled Cat (Fells marmorata) and a pair of
Flat Headed Cats(Felis Planiceps) are currently being
displayed at the Small Mammal Bldg.

NEWS FROM THE ST. LOUIS ZOO reported by Kathy Arends

JAM.-FEB.-MAR®

BIRTHS AND HATCHINGS
1/0 Beisa oryx

1/0 Impala

1 Red and Black Tamarin
2/0 Black Lemur

ACQUISITIONS
1 Spitting Cobra
1/0 Indian Civet
1/0 Jaguaroundi
1/0 Kinkajou

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BIRTHS & HATCHINGS(CON*T)

O/O/l Red Kangaroo

1/0/0 Orangutan

2 Cape Barren Geese
5 Red Junglefowl

1 Darwin 1 s Rhea
1 Black Swan
7 Aoudad

3 Mouflon

ACQUISITIONS(CON * T)

2/2 Quaker Parakeet
1/1 Red-rumped Parakeet
0/1 Comb Duck
1/1 Senegal Parrot

1 Two-headed Sand Boa

2 Madagascar Tree Boa

The male orangutan, first-born of our young female
"Janie", is doing well. He has been raised in the Nursery
since his birth on March 15»1969® He is on display in the
Nursery at the present time.

We are looking forward to the opening of the new Yalera
Children*s Zoo. Probable opening date is late spring#
Outside work is completed on the 3i acre site and the
finishing touches are being applied to landscaping and
inside features. It will feature subterranean buildings
and pools connected by streams running throughout the area.
The nursery will be housed in the main entrance building.

Completion of the Busch Administration Building is
also expected sometime in early spring. It will house the
Zoo Association Gift Shop as well as offices of the Staff
members.

NEWS FROM SQUTHWICK BIRDS & ANIMALS,INC,
reported by Dan Southwick

The Philadelphia Zoological Gardens has just loaned
us a female Manchurian Crane for breeding. We have just
put our male and the new female together. They act very
well and have started to show signs of mating immediately#
I don # t believe these have ever been bred in this country.
We know of four other Manchurian Cranes in the United
States. One which is in the San Diego Zoo the the other
three in Honolulu Zoo.

We will let you know if we have any success in this
project.

SAN DIEGO ZOO NEWS reported by Carl Pyle

ARRIVALS:

1 Tasmanian Bennett’s Wallabies ,pr.

(id

ARRIVALS(CON 9 T ) 1 Indonesian Langur

female White Uakari male Grevy’s Zebra

6 No 9 New Guinea Scrub Wallabies
male Ring-tailed Lemur Pair Mouse Lemurs

2 White-cheeked Gibbons Pair Scimitar-horned Oryx,

female Black Howler Monkey

2 Giant, 2 Gurney’s Pittas 11 Hummingbirds
2 Lesser Great Crowned Pigeons

6 Finches 2 red-vented Parrots

2 Mainland Banded Pittas 3 African Toads

6 Senegal Frogs 2 Asiatic Horned Frogs

6 Layard 1 s Parrakeets

6 Star Tortoises,India(Hill Indian Expedition)

HILL EXPEDITION-CALCUTTA(PURCHASE)

1 Red-headed Tit 6 Golden-backed Woodpeckers

2 Green-backed Tits 3 Racquet-tailed Drongos

5 Rufus-bellied Niltavas 1 Southern Tree-Pie

3 Crested Black Tits 1 Himalayan Tree-Pie

1 Indian Streaked Spider Hunter

2 Himalayan Barbets 1 Black-winged Kite

5 Shama Thrushes 2 Belgal Pittas

3 Black-crested yellow Bulbuls

ADELAIDE SHIPMENT(EXCHANGE)

1 Adelaide Rosella 1 Mealy Rosella

1 Australian King Parrakeet 1 Twenty-eight Parrakeet

2 Musk Lorikeets 1 Scarlet-chested Grass

4 Cereopsis Geese Parrakeet

2 Wattled Cranes

DAVE MOHILEF,SINGAPORE(PURCHASE)

Pair Meyer 3 s Lorikeets

1 Black-winged Lory

EAST EERLIH(EXCHANGE)

1 Greater Antillian Grackle
1 Black Lark

1 Blue-streaked Lory
1 Red-fronted or Greater
Streaked Lory

4 Tawny-shouldered Blackbirds
1 Shore Lark

LOUIS ORDONEZ,PHILIPPINES(PURCHASE)

24 Luzon Hanging Parrots Pair Philippine Cockatoos

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LOUIS CRDOHEZ,PHILIPPINES(CON'T)

2 Luzon Guaiaberos

HONG KONG(DOLAN EXPEDITION)

1 Red-tailed Amazon 1 Violet-bellied Parrot

4 Mitchell’s Lorikeets 2 VJaigeu Black-capped Lories

6 Lesser Black-tailed Hawfinches

RECENT ARRIVALS

11 Hummingbirds Pair Swan Geese

6 Bohemian Waxwings 12 Common Murres

1 Rose-breasted Grosbeak 8 red-headed Rat Snakes

2 So.American Side-necked Turtles

4 Mexican Earth Turtles
2 East African Spitting Cobras

6 Florida Box Turtles
2 Argentinian Tortoises

BIRTHS & HATCHINGS
Przewalski’s Horse,female
Black Lemur
Twin Persian Gazelles
Trio Wolves
2 So. Stone Curlews
2 Black Lories
1 Northern Little Tinamou

1 Emu

2 Many-colored Parrakeets

1 Swainson’s Lorikeet

2 Port Lincoln Parrakeet

1 Red-rumped Parrakeet

2 Perfect Lorikeets
2 Blue-crowned Hanging Parrots

1 Northern Blossom-headed Parrakeet

female Slender-horned Gazelle(died the next day)

2 Ring-tailed Lemurs

3 Hyrax
Addax,female

Pigmy Chimpanzee,female
Twin Pigmy Marmosets
2 Black-necked Swans

1 Swinhoe f s Pheasant

2 Red-collared Lorikeets

2 Yellow-fronted Kakarikis

4 Barnard’s Parrakeets

1 Forsten’s Lorikeet

2 Yellow-backed Lories

3 Ornate Lorikeets

2 Red-fronted Kakarikis

FROM"THE BIG SPLASH^NEWS RELEASE FROM OKLAHOMA CITY ZOO

The Oklahoma City Zoo has a new baby. A clouded Leopard

was born March 10,1969® The kitten will be found in the
Children’s Zoo Nursery.

These animals are rare in captivity. The Frankfort Zoo
and the Dallas Zoo have been working with the breeding of
the clouded leopards for several years. We at the Oklahoma

( 13 )

City Zoo are very pleased to have this rare addition.

This is perhaps the most strikingly marked of all the
cats. There are dashes and spots on the limbs and the head,
broken rings on the tail and large pale-centred black-edged
blotches on the yellow-brown flanks. Despite its name,
the clouded leopard is not very closely related to the
true leopard, which is slightly larger in size.

Like most cats which are marked with spots or blotches,
the clouded leopard is a forest-dweller. It inhabits dense,
wooded country from Nepal to south-east China, Malaya and
the islands of Hainan, Formosa, Sumatra, Borneo and Java.

It is an expert climber, using the incredibly long and
heavy tail to help maintain its balance on the branches.

Being nocturnal and s.hy the clouded leopard is rarely
seen in the wild and little is known about its habits. It
haunts the thickest jungles close to river banks, sleeping
in trees during the day. It feeds partly on birds but also
kills mammals. In Formosa, for example, it is known to
prey upon the Sika Deer.

The clouded leopard can be seen during the "Walking
Safaris**. The "Walking Safaris" will be conducted the
first Saturday in May and June at the Oklahoma City Zoo.

REQUEST FOR CORRESPONDENCE FROM TULSA by Niki Talley

After receiving my third newsletter, interest and en¬
thusiasm have finally overcome my timidity. Mohawk Park
Zoo, Tulsa, Oklahoma, has, unfortunately, been rather is¬
olated from the mainstream of zoos in this country. In an
attempt to remedy this situation and establish corres¬
pondence with other keepers, I joined AAZK and am asking
for "pen pals" in other zoos whose charges are similar to
mine. I am head keeper over our nocturnal exhibit, child¬
ren's zoo, and aviary, all of which are small but full of
personality.

My main concern at the moment, and the one I would like
to discuss with other keepers, is the nocturnal exhibit.

We currently have 1 male pangolin| a pair of brush-tailed
phalangers; a trio of Galago senegalensis ssp.; 6 fruit
bats; 11 M flying squirrels; 1 male Petaurista alborufa
(l f m dying to get a female after seeing London's baby in
the new IZ Yearbook); 2 female tamanduas; and 1 female
potto.

( 14 )

The problems with which I most urgently request help
ares

1. How to keep the pangolin (name of Irving) awake
after he has eaten. He is extremely active under white
light when let out of his cage to roam the kitchen during
cage cleaning time, but once fed, he retires in a ball
for the rest of the day. We are kept very busy waking him
up for visitors who (a) think he’s an armadillo,(b) think
he’s a snake, (c) think he 8 s covered with feathers (?)
instead of scales, and (d) think he’s dead. We have a sign
on the front of his cage, but the exhibit building is
quite dark with only the red lights on and few people seem
to be able to relate sign with small grey ball in cage
corner. I have tried withholding food til the middle of
the ’’night" in an attempt to keep him active and searching
but if not fed promptly at 10s30 a.m., Irving decides that
we f ve forgotten him and curls up for the duration after

no more than a brief once-around-the-cage. Thereafter, he
is grumpily resentful of intrusion and difficult to
completely awaken.

2. What kind of food container is best for feeding
tamanduas? We cannot use the hole-through-the-wall method
here, because our cages are constructed of cement block.

I have made concrete bowls which don’t get tipped over,but
which are too heavy for our feminine keepers to handle.

At present we are using a metal garbage can lid (unsightly)
since the girls (tamanduas, not keepers) prefer slurping
their soup from a shallow film rather than from a deep
pool. Also, they don’t tip the lid over due to its large
diameter. However, they greatly enjoy tromping through the
soup and smearing it from one end of the cage to the other,
which obscures visibility through the front glass and
doesn’t help our reputation for cleanliness. I’m sure some¬
one must have come up with a practical answer for this one,

3. What size area is necessary for a pair of brush¬
tailed phalangers to live compatibly in? Our cages are
approzimately 3‘l feet deep, 4 feet wide and 5 feet high.
Except during the brief periods when Ethel is apparently
in estrus, she makes life miserable for poor Oscar by
chasing him violently into the farthest corners of the
cage, leaving bits of his fur and bedding scattered in
her wake. I am virtually certain that no successful family

U5)

life will result from this situation, but I have no idea
of what physical arrangement encourages marital bliss
in phalangers.

Anyone interested in helping, or in just exchanging
notes, please write to Niki Talley, Route l,Box 184-K,
Gwasso,Oklahoma, 7^®55*

PLEASE authored by Dr. Philip Ogilvie,Director,Oklahoma

City Zoo

This is another call for action. During the last
session of the 90th Congress, I asked your aid in writing
our congressional delegation supporting the Yarborough
Bill in the Senate and the Lennon Bill in the House of
Representatives. You will recall that these bills are
pieces of legislation aimed at stopping the traffic in
rare and endangered animals or the parts thereof. We almost
made it. The Lennon Bill was carried in the House; the
Yarborough Bill was reported out of the committee with a
do pass recommendation during the last few days of the
session. Unfortunately, due to the press of business in
these last few days, no action was taken by the Senate and
thus we have started all over in the first session of the
91st Congress. The bills, S 335 &nd HR 248 have once again
been introduced by Senator Yarborough and Congressman
Lennon.

Opposition to the bills is coming from some members of
the pet industry who put profit ahead of the welfare of
animals. There is also interested opposition coming from
alligator poachers who seem to be rushing to kill as many
alligators as possible during this era of little or no
enforcement of state laws. The strange situation exists
today that the hide of alligators taken illegally may be
shipped quite legally and sold openly on the New York hide
and fur market. When a poacher was interviewed he indicated
that "the state laws have never been very strong. They*ve
been there but the judges and courts have been very lenient
When you violate a federal law that*s something else, you
start messing around with the FBI”.

Many of us in the zoo profession are currently con¬
cerned over the plight of endangered species. In many
instances the greatest threat to species of endangered
wildlife is the trade in hides and furs. We do feel that

( 16 )

#

this legislation will correct this problem and still allow
the importation of such animals alive for responsible zoos
and educational institutions.

Let me urge you to write your congressional delegation
today expressing your support of these two bills and in
turn urging them to vote favorably on this legislation.

FOOT NOTEt National Hq. for AAZK has gone on record for
support of these two important bills. All AAZK members are
urged to send letters to your congressman today- let them
know the American Zoo Keeper seeks the necessary legislation
to protect our wildlife from greed and ignorance.

CONSERVATION NEWS reported by Ken Willingham, Keeper,San Diego
AT LAST " SOl^^lffiADWAI-FROM TTTO 68

There are now a census total of 50 wild whooping cranes
wintering at the Aransas Refuge as contrasted with the
record low of 15 some years ago. 44 White birds and 6 young
of the year are at the refuge. This record total comes on
the heels of two years of successful egg pickups in the
northwest territories which have also brought the captive
population to a record high 18 birds, for a grand total of
68 birds now living.

This is indeed a signal of accomplishment, however, of
more interest to this group, and to us today, is the fact
that using Sandhill Cranes as experimental birds, the
Patuxent group has solved a bothersome leg problem which
has long been a source of trouble in crane propagation. It
turns out to be mainly a nutritional matter.

MASKED BQBWHITB QUAIL HAS 2ND CHANCE

The stock raised from four pairs of birds donated to the
project by the Levy Brothers of Arizona now totals 31 birds.
In addition, 36 birds captured in Mexico are now at the
station to enhance genetic values of the production unit.

With any kind of luck, we will be reading of a release of
masked Bobwhites to the wild and restored range in Arizona
in the spring of 1970 .

IN TIMS TO SAVE THE ALBUTION CANADA GOOSE

There is now a total of 59 Aleution Geese at Patuxent
and 8 in the hands of private propagators with a potential
of 12 to 15 breeding pairs this year, things look

( 17 )

increasingly good for this most threatened species. If all
goes well, 24 geese reared at Patuxent in 1968, will be
released on one or two still undetermined islands in the
Aleutians in the spring of 19?0 and which we hope will be
the nucleus of a new wild breeding flock.

HOPE FOR THE SOUTH AMERICAN SMIL KITES

Wests were built last year and it is hoped that young
will be raised this year. There are no disease problems.

The Patuxent nutritionist is now working on a diet to sub¬
stitute for the expensive Florida snails now being fed.
(NEWS RELEASE)

CARE, FEEDING, HANDLING, & TRAINING CF 2C0 ELEPHANTS

Yal De Leon,Head Keeper,Knowland Park Zoo,Oakland,Calif.

AAZK Western Regional Conference,Fresno,Calif.,Apr.11-12

Friends and fellow Zoo Keepers. Many books and stories,
and even T.V. and movies, have been written about the lar¬
gest present day land animal-the Pachyderms, but none to
my knowledge have been written about the Keepers complete
point of view. Mainly, the care, feeding, handling, and
training of these magnificent and intelligent beasts.

I’m trying very hard and have taken it upon myself to
study and learn more about their simple daily habits. And,
maybe, some day a standard procedure can be worked out for
all Zoo Keepers to follow. When this is done, I know there
will be a better understanding between man and the ele¬
phants ; and, more lives on both sides will be saved simply
by following a set procedure.

I would like to say now that most of my elephant know¬
ledge and some experience has been passed on to me by my
very dear friend, Robert Smokey Jones, an extra-ordinary
elephant trainer. And deep appreciation to my boss and
very dear friend, Dr. Raymond Young, for encouragement and
confidence in me.

I, in turn, have added a few more elephant know-hows and
would like to pass the knowledge and experience on to you.

The next baby elephant you get, or if you already have
one, the first thing to do is see that the sleeping quar¬
ters is warm without and cold drafts. Dry straw, hay or
wood shaving should be on the floor. I personally would

( 18 )

prefer a clean concrete electric heating pad, with the
temperature set at about 65 to 75 degrees.

Be very careful not to set it much higher than this, as
she may get second degree burns from the hot slab. When lay¬
ing your concrete electric pad, make it rough and be sure
the side that her rear-end is going to b© on is an inch or
so lower than her head side. The reason for this is because
of urine run off and it dries off a lot faster when you wash
the heating pad.

All new shipments of elephants should be treated for lice.
The best method of delicing is with Neatsfoot Oil, as it
contains some tannic acid. Neatsfoot Oil can be sprayed on,
or with a piece of cloth rubbed on the elephant. However,

I should advise you not to use Neatsfoot Oil too often be¬
cause this tends to harden the surface of the skin and can
cause in growing hair. Olive Oil is recommended by most
Elephant Trainers for skin treatment and can be used freely.

If the elephant is on suckling diet feed her the same
formula as her pervious owner, and slowly change her feed¬
ing over to your own formula if you prefer. Remember a fast
change in diet can cause a stomach disorder, and also a
loss of appetite.

The best time to start training a baby elephant is after
she has been weaned from the bottle. The best learning age
is from 2 to 5 years of age.

Elephant f s droppings should be checked daily, and one
of the things to look for is worms. If you suspect or if
she shows signs of worms, check with your veterinary for
the right dosage of worm medicine. To prepare her for worm¬
ing procedure you should practice a few days before time.

This is done by tying the tip of her trunk with a few half
hitches to a rope collar on the top of her neck. Now, you
can feed her by hand some fruits, and vegetables and bread.
When you are ready for worming, in between treats, you
should sneak in the worming medicine concealed in the food.

It takes about two to three days before you can see worms
in her droppings-if she has any.

All young baby elephants should be fed clovites, dicafos
or vitamins daily to prevent rickets.

As any elephant men will tell you, no matter how well an
elephant performs or how well she does a difficult trick,
nothing looks worse than a skinny or deformed elephant.

(19)

i

Hay is the main diet of elephants and should be checked
for foreign matter before feeding. Whenever possible, ele¬
phants should be fed variety of feed such as fruits, vegeta¬
bles, grains, and stale bread. Some trainers use sugar cubes
as treats. If drinking water is not available at all times,
elephants should be watered twice a day, morning and night,
more often during the summer months.

I would like to caution you at this time not to lay any¬
thing loose in the elephant^ compound, such as tools, ropes
or chains. We had an elephant a few years ago that swallow¬
ed a five foot chain that happened to be in her compound.

I counted the days and had my fingers crossed. Finally, after
nine days, she passed it out. When I talked to Dr. Young,
our Zoo Director, he said that if the chain had dropped into
her lower stomach, we would have had a sick and dead ele¬
phant on our hands.

I believe from past experience that all elephants should
be chained at night, front and back foot, low and loose on
front foot, high but not too tight on the back foot. Both
lead chains should not be too loose where she could turn
around and get tangled up. But loose enough where she can
lay down and get up with ease.

Always chain back foot first when securing her for the
night and reverse the procedure when unchaining her. Always
chain her up before feeding. In the morning when you have
unchained both of her feet, have her stand in place for a
few minutes before you lead her out. This is so she does¬
n’t get in the habit of running or breaking away from you
after unchaining.

There should always be a command for every trick or
movement you want her to do. Make a habit of speaking to
her in a low and clear voice. Never yell, and no two com¬
mands should sound alike, as this might confuse the elephant.

A good trainer should never work an elephant when he
is upset. You have nothing to gain and everything to lose.

Here's to a safer and happier elephant keeping I1

ZOOS OF THE WORLD-THB BLACK HILLS REPTILE GARDEN

reported by Earl Brockelsby

Black Hills Reptile Gardens was started in 1937 near
Rapid City,So. Dak. It was started by Earl Brockelsby who

( 20 )

is still the owner of this specialized zoo. Reptile Gardens
is at present located six miles south of Rapid City on
highway 16 which is a heavily traveled national highway
which brings two million visitors a year to Mt. Rushmore.
Reptile Gardens is located on J2 acres of land and has a
parking lot which accommodates 200 vehicles. It is the plan
to increase the parking lot in 1970 to make room for an
additional 100 parking places.

The physical plant consists of an entrance building, gift
shop, lunch room, offices and warehouse® This building is
50® x 300 s . The main reptile building consists of a two-
story concrete structure covered with a 60 foot high plastic
dome. The diameter of this building is 127 feet, and doors
open from the alligator and tortoise displays to outside
arenas so these specimens can move indoors and outdoors at
will. The temperatures of the rooms and the pools are ther¬
mostatically controlled. Fuel oil is used to heat the boiler
which in turn uses the circulation of both hot water and
hot air to warm the building. Poisonous reptiles are kept
in glass fronted display cages on the mezzanine. The most
unique feature of the display is the central area of the
dome which is planted in one section to tropical vegetation
and another to desert flora. In this area several hundred
snakes and lizards as well as many highly colored birds
roam freely. The visitors are taken by a guide on a path
through this area where they come into intimate contact
with the live reptiles® c Cur guides are trained to give in¬
formation and answer questions, and we believe that through
this intimate contact with reptiles in a beautiful setting
we have done much to allay the fears most people seem to
have of reptiles.

We have five large outdoor arenas in which there are
more than 300 alligators and crocodiles displayed. There is
also an alligator wrestling arena 50 ' in diameter where
alligators are wrestled for the benefit of the tourists
a minimum of once every hour.

An outdoor rattlesnake milking arena 40® in diameter
is used for lecturing on poisonous snakes and to demonstrate
the milking technique. Several hundred poisonous snakes are
kept in this area and guides deliver a twenty minute
lecture every hour.

One of the most popular features of the Reptile Gardens

<

is Bewitched Village, a simulated Western town of twelve
different buildings, such as a school house, church, jail,
bank, dance hall and bar. Each of the businesses in the
Village is operated by a trained animal. So we have a duck
that operates the telegraph office, pigs that mine gold,
and about a dozen acts in all.

In all we have 175 species of reptiles and usually in
excess of 3*000 specimens; 40 specimens of amphibians of 8
species; 45 mammals of 18 species; 130 birds of 40 species.
Our staff in I 968 consisted of 46 employees which include
G. Earl Chace, Curator; Fim Campbell, Director and general
manager; Gerald Wagner, Buyer and superintendent of gift
shop. Out three assistant curators are Edward Westin,

Charles Peterson and Jon Oldham. The number of visitors
vary from year to year. Attendance usually is in excess of
one quarter million each year, most of whom see the collec¬
tion during the months of June, July and August.

At the present time, we are working on a new underground
display which will cost in excess of $60,000. The under¬
ground display will feature dens more than 50 feet in length
where as nearly as possible natural conditions have been
stimulated for the snakes, and they will have access to a
10 acre enclosed outdoor area filled with rocks and logs to
give the snakes a hiding place. The outside area will be en¬
closed with a 6 foot solid steel fence so the snakes will
not be bothered by human contacts. We hope in an area this
large to successfully propogate rattlesnakes on a large
scale. Each snake will be identified by coded markings so
that accurate records can be kept on the propogation and
growth of the snakes kept in these natural areas.

The total value of the Black Hills Reptile Gardens is in
excess of one-half million dollars, and there is a continued
plan for growth and expansion through the future years.

CONGRATULATIONS are in order for Dennis Melvin, San Diego
Zoo, recently promoted to Assistant Sea Lion Trainer. Also
our congratulations go out to Gerald Thomas on his recent
promotion to Animal Handler, a new position created for
the purpose of training young animals for use in public
relation activities.

( 22 )

I

AAZK MEMBERSHIP

AFFILIATE MEMBERSHIP

National Headquarters $3.00 annually

(Includes subscription of Newsletter)

(Open only to keepers and attendants
of other zoos and aquariums)

NATIONAL

ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP

Open to persons who wish to support AAZK
but who do not qualify for regular,
affiliate or other memberships (no right of vote)

$5.00 annually

CORRESPONDING MEMBERSHIP

Open to keepers of foreign zoos
$5.00 annually

ASSOCIATION EMBLEMS

Shoulder Patch (see cover)..$1.00 each

(Members only)

CONTACT

AAZK HEADQUARTERS

3388 GRANADA AVENUE
SAN DIEGO, CALIF. 92104

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