Habitat 67 - Fall 2022

2 When people think of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS), they often think of the Detroit Zoo. Of course, this makes sense — “Detroit” and “Zoo” make up the first two letters in DZS. However, some may be surprised to know we have a second campus, the Belle Isle Nature Center (BINC), a state-of-the-art facility located on a 5-acre site on Belle Isle in Detroit. The BINC is just as much a part of the DZS as the Detroit Zoo. I couldn’t be more excited to share it with all our readers now that it is reopening to the public this fall for the first time since March 2020. Since it’s been closed, the BINC has undergone a massive reimagining, complete with interactive exhibits, educational displays and true-to-life animal habitats. The BINC is now a truly unique space, unlike any other nature center you have seen before. After all, this is a nature center not only sandwiched between two countries, but it is also located on an island in a river. Within the pages of this Habitat issue, readers will learn how the BINC puts urban wildlife in the spotlight, as well as meet the Zoo’s newest residents, hear about a program to diagnose and treat heart disease in great apes and much more. I can’t wait for you all to read about the exciting things happening at the DZS. Best, Dr. Hayley Murphy, DVM Executive Director/CEO Printed in the USA. Habitat is produced quarterly for members of the Detroit Zoological Society. PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT ArborOakland Group CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jennifer Thomas GRAPHIC DESIGN Jen Valente Design Copyright © 2022 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. 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. The Detroit Zoo is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. facebook.com/detroitzoo youtube.com/detroitzoo twitter.com/detroitzoo instagram.com/detroitzoo tiktok.com/@ detroitzoo H ABITAT Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places 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 In this issue 3 Sunset at the Zoo a Success 4 The All-New Belle Isle Nature Center 8 Events 10 What the Heart Wants 13 Giving Back Through Nocturnal Adventures 14 I Do at the Zoo 16 Monkeying Around 19 Visible and Invisible Disabilities