Habitat 53 Summer 2018

2 | June/July/August 2018 Let me tell you about the birds and the bees. The Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center are home to about 450 birds of 55 species, from penguins that swim and dive in the 325,000-gallon aquatic area in the Polk Penguin Conservation Center to exotic species that live among the lush tropical plants in the Matilda R. Wilson Free-Flight Aviary to colorful peafowl that roam our grounds at will. These birds live a cushy life, sheltered from harsh weather conditions and safe from predators, with plenty of nutritious food and top-notch health care. We think it’s important to take care of all birds, not just those that reside on our two campuses. That’s why the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) educates the community about bird collisions (read all about it on page 6) and leads and supports a number of bird conservation programs throughout the world as well as right here in Michigan. One such effort is a “salvage rearing” program for the endangered Great Lakes piping plover. These tiny shorebirds make shallow nests in the summer on flat, open, sandy beaches in northern Michigan – the same beaches that attract people, their pets and development. By 1986, 600 nesting pairs had dwindled to just 17, and a federal recovery program was established by the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Scientists discovered that the plovers were abandoning their eggs, and they realized that salvaging these eggs could contribute significantly to the species’ recovery. With our expertise in bird care and incubation, the DZS developed a plan to hatch out the abandoned eggs and rear the tiny chicks until they could be released to join wild plovers. For the past 18 summers, DZS bird care staff have gathered at the University of Michigan’s Biological Station in Pellston to monitor the nests daily and collect any abandoned eggs for captive rearing. The program includes artificially incubating the abandoned eggs, rearing the hatched chicks and releasing them into the wild when they fledge. With a goal of 150 breeding pairs, we have reached a milestone halfway point. The 228 captive-reared and released birds and some of their descendants have made a significant contribution to this small population. Although still extremely vulnerable to extinction from predation, beach development and nest disturbance, the Great Lakes piping plover’s numbers are stable. This effort has preserved genetic lines that may otherwise have vanished. And what about the bees? Honey bees pollinate about one third of the food we consume, but they are facing serious challenges, including mites, viruses, diseases and pesticides. The Belle Isle Nature Center will shine a spotlight on these prolific pollinators at Bee Fest on August 18. The annual event – which coincides with National Honey Bee Day – includes beekeeper talks, art, music, crafts, demonstrations on planting and maintaining a bee-friendly garden and a children’s bee costume parade. We think it’s a fun way to educate the community about what’s happening with bees and demonstrate how we all can help. 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 © 2018 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 Printed in the USA. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. The Detroit Zoological Society – a renowned leader in humane education, wildlife conservation, animal welfare and environmental sustainability – operates the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center.