Habitat 47 Winter 2017

2 | December 2016/January/February 2017 H ABITAT Celebrating and Saving Wildlife T h e M a g a z i n e o f t h e D e t r o i t Z o o l o g i c a l S o c i e t y Habitat is produced quarterly for Members of the Detroit Zoological Society. EDITED BY Graphinity, Inc. CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jennifer Thomas PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT ArborOakland Group GRAPHIC DESIGN Graphinity, Inc. Copyright © 2016 Detroit Zoological Society All rights reserved. PLEASE CONTACT: Detroit Zoological Society 8450 W. 10 Mile Road Royal Oak, MI 48067 Phone: (248) 541-5717 Fax: (248) 541-2489 www.detroitzoo.org For questions about membership, please contact: info@dzs.org. facebook.com/detroitzoo youtube.com/detroitzoo twitter.com/detroitzoo instagram.com/detroitzoo The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in education, conservation, animal welfare and sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Zoo. Printed in the USA. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Every five years, your Detroit Zoo undergoes a rigorous review by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), the accrediting body for the legitimate zoos and aquariums in the United States (and eight other countries). Accreditation ensures that we meet the highest standards in the care and conservation of wildlife as well as public safety, education and operations. I’m happy to share that we have once again earned this distinction, marking the sixth consecutive time over the past three decades that the Detroit Zoo has been granted accreditation. The accreditation process includes a detailed application followed by a meticulous on- site inspection by an outside team of zoo and aquarium professionals. This team reviews all aspects of our operation – animal care and welfare, keeper training, safety for people and animals, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk management, and guest services, among others. Finally, we are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s independent accreditation commission at the association’s annual meeting. At our recent hearing, the accreditation commission expressed admiration for everything the Detroit Zoo is doing and asked, “How do you do it all so well?” They were particularly impressed with our sustainability initiatives – including building the first anaerobic digester at any zoo in the country, being the first zoo to discontinue the sale of bottled water, and powering your Detroit Zoo with 100% renewable electricity from wind farms. They, of course, also noted our unique programs and facilities, such as the National Amphibian Conservation Center, Arctic Ring of Life, Polk Penguin Conservation Center, Berman Academy for Humane Education and Center for Zoo Animal Welfare. In his book “Good to Great” (must reading for our management team), James C. Collins says, “Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” Therein lies the answer to the accreditation panel’s question. We not only have a shared vision for our future but we have also built an extraordinary team of staff, volunteers and board members who are smart, creative and passionate. We are intentional about everything we do – and we don’t try to do everything. Where we see an incredible need and believe we have the unique ability to help, we respond. In 2000, we responded to the global crisis facing amphibians by creating the National Amphibian Conservation Center, establishing ourselves as an international leader in amphibian conservation, care, exhibition and research. In 2002, we created the Berman Academy for Humane Education to help people understand the need to treat other living creatures with respect, responsibility and compassion. In 2005, we became the first zoo in the country to decide on ethical grounds to no longer keep elephants, helping to reshape public attitudes and values toward the humane treatment of exotic animals. In 2009, we founded the Center for Zoo Animal Welfare, training hundreds of zoo and aquarium staff from around the world in animal welfare best practices. Everything we do is because of the extraordinary people who understand our mission and value our work – and that includes you, our Members. We appreciate your support now and always and wish you the happiest of holidays! From the Director Ron Kagan Executive Director Detroit Zoological Society