Habitat 48 Spring 2017

2 | March/April/May 2017 People often ask me, “What’s new at the Zoo?” – and last year, I had a one-word answer: penguins! The Polk Penguin Conservation Center was all anyone wanted to hear about, talk about and see. More than a million visitors did just that in its first six months of operation, boosting our record-breaking attendance figure to 1.7 million. While we certainly don’t have a project the magnitude of the penguin center this year, we do have many substantial and exciting initiatives underway for 2017. Among the most impactful of these takes place in April when we officially launch the anaerobic digester – the first in Michigan and the first zoo-based system of its kind in the country. The digester will annually convert more than 400 tons of animal manure and other organic waste into a methane-rich gas to help power the animal hospital – and save us about $80,000 a year in utility costs. In late April, the Detroit Zoo will host the international Science On a Sphere consortium, co-hosted by NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Your zoo is among only a few institutions to have this amazing spherical display system. For those of us wishing for an astronaut’s view of our planet’s atmospheric, oceanic and land activity, this is it! Then in early May, the eyes of the global zoo and aquarium community will be on us as our Center for Zoo Animal Welfare, in conjunction with the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, hosts a three-day animal welfare congress at the Detroit Zoo. The conference has attracted more than a hundred of the world’s foremost animal welfare academics and leaders who will discuss the latest in captive exotic animal welfare policy and best practices. Read all about it on page 7. Late last year, we announced two major gifts from generous Zoo supporters for the expansion and renovation of animal habitats. Cynthia and Edsel Ford pledged $1 million to double the size of the giraffe building – including a large space for the entire herd to congregate – and for improvements to the exterior. Construction is underway and expected to be finished by late spring. Another $1 million gift came from longtime Zoo supporter – and avowed tiger lover – Leslie Devereaux through her family’s foundation to help pay for a makeover to the tiger habitat (the project will cost $2 million altogether). By next year, the animals will not only have more room to roam but will enjoy naturalistic elements important to the species – including high vantage points, more open spaces, trees, a cave, waterfall and pool. Also, look for improvements soon to the Edward Mardigian Sr. River Otter Habitat, home to North American river otters. The project will begin after the spring thaw and be completed by summer. Meanwhile, the penguins are celebrating their one-year anniversary in their new home and can be seen swimming, waddling and simply being adorable! From the Director Ron Kagan Executive Director/CEO Detroit Zoological Society 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 © 2017 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 Center. Printed in the USA. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.