INSIDE: SMALL BUT MIGHTY I PRIME MATES I GIVING A LASTING GIFT WINTER 2023 • ISSUE 72 You are WHAT YOU EAT
2 Printed in the USA. Habitat is produced quarterly for members of the Detroit Zoological Society. PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT ArborOakland Group CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Sarah Culton CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHER Christina Ross CONTRIBUTING WRITER Jennifer Thomas GRAPHIC DESIGN Jen Valente Copyright © 2023 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 instagram.com/detroitzoo Linkedin.com/ detroitzoologicalsociety tiktok.com/@detroitzoo twitter.com/detroitzoo youtube.com/detroitzoo HABITAT Celebrating and Saving Wildlife and Wild Places The Magazine of the Detroit Zoological Society In this issue 3 Ask the Expert 4 You Are What You Eat 8 Wild Lights 10 Welcome to the Waddle 12 Prime Mates 14 Giving a Lasting Gift 17 Meet a Belle Isle Star 18 Small but Mighty We’ve had an incredible 2023 here at the Detroit Zoological Society. This year, we celebrated our 95th anniversary with some amazing memories, including: • The birth of Juhudi, a giraffe calf who is thriving thanks to the hard work of our veterinary and animal care teams • The arrival of Tai, a chimpanzee born to longtime troop member and first-time mom Tanya • The welcoming of a new gorilla troop (who you will meet in this issue!) • And so much more Through it all, we’ve continued to further our mission of creating meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world so all can thrive. We do this through our award-winning educational programs at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center, the well-being and care we provide to the animals who call our facilities home and the groundbreaking conservation and sustainability work that is helping to save species in the wild. I’m proud to lead such a wonderful organization — one that inspires dedicated supporters like you. Every time you visit the Detroit Zoo or Belle Isle Nature Center, make a donation, participate in a program or read one of our publications, you are helping to make our mission a reality. I can’t thank you enough. With your support behind us, I know we are looking forward to a great 2024. Best, Dr. Hayley Murphy, DVM Executive Director/CEO
Ask AN INTERVIEW WITH AARON JESUE, DETROIT ZOO ANIMAL CARE STAFF How did you decide to become an animal care staff member? I actually made the decision when I was 3 years old, watching the original “King Kong” movie from 1933. King Kong was supposed to be scary, but what I saw was the connection between the gorilla and the human. When my parents took me to the zoo, I would always be the kid watching the gorillas. Throughout school, for any random project, everyone knew mine would tie in with gorillas — then I studied zoology in college. I came to the Detroit Zoo in 2014. What does your typical day look like? There’s a schedule to our day with goals in mind, but everything is based on the animals, their needs and what they feel like doing that day. We arrive at 7 a.m. for a meeting. Next, we prep medications, vitamins and juices. Then, we start shifting the animals in order to get them their breakfast and start their day. We have a lot to accomplish before guests arrive. We focus on the chimps first because there are 12 of them — that’s a lot of chimps with different needs and personalities, and we have to give them time to wake up. Then, we move to the gorillas and do the same thing. From there, it’s a couple hours’ worth of cleaning. We plan different types of enrichment — things that are mentally and physically stimulating so the animals stay moving and engaged throughout the day. Then, more cleaning and diet prep, paperwork and the occasional special event. What is the best part of your job? Talking with guests about the animals. Any interaction might inspire someone to become a zookeeper or just help someone know that if you’re passionate about something, it will lead where you want it to. Whatever your dream job is, it’s possible, because I’m living it every single day. THE EXPERT 3 AARON JESUE
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5 WHAT YOU EAT You are
6 IN THE KITCHEN Souza works with a team inside the Zoo’s commissary, a building run much like a commercial kitchen — complete with large fridges and freezers and plenty of counter space to sort, wash, chop and blend food for animals of all species — including vibrant melons and pineapples for the birds and hearty sweet potatoes and greens for the mammals. As all food in the Zoo must go through the commissary at some point, the building is constantly bustling as team members make orders, unload delivery trucks, process produce and distribute the food to the animals. With more than 2,000 mouths to feed, Souza and team keep track of hundreds of different diets to ensure every animal is healthy and thriving. That includes the Zoo’s pickier eaters, such as a cassowary who loves grapes and a chimpanzee who goes through phases of only liking greencolored foods. “At least once a week, I’m making a run to the store for a special request,” Souza says with a laugh. “Sometimes, that looks like picking up frozen green beans because the reptile staff thinks it will be a great animal enrichment. Other times, it’s buying a new flavor of sugar-free yogurt for one of our older chimpanzees, as she is known to be very picky.” A BALANCED DIET Before the food can be ordered and processed by the commissary, the Zoo’s veterinary team, led by Dr. Ann Duncan, associate vice president of life sciences, determines diets for each animal. INSIDE THE COMMISSARY THAT FEEDS THE ANIMALS WHO CALL THE ZOO HOME Above is a small sample of Michelle Souza’s weekly shopping list. As the commissary supervisor at the Detroit Zoo, she orders and purchases food for the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home — from the tiniest butterfly to the biggest bear. of Produce 2 Tons of Fish 900 Pounds of Meat 440 Pounds of Bones 100 Pounds of Fresh Browse 80 Pounds and the occasional sugar-free key lime yogurt “It’s a huge job,” Souza says. “At any given time, we have enough food at the Zoo to stock a large grocery store.”
7 The vet team consults published research, other vets and nutritionists from Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited facilities, domestic animal data and wild animal diets when tailoring a diet for the animals who call the Zoo home. Each animal’s needs are also considered, including necessary supplements. Once crafted, the diets are logged in an electronic database, where they can be accessed by both veterinary and animal care staff. From there, the process becomes collaborative, as zookeepers distribute the diets to the animals and monitor behavior. The animal care team fills out feed charts each day that log the animals’ food intake and note any concerns. “It’s a lot of attention to detail,” Duncan says. “The right diet is crucial. Proper nutrition is key to keeping an animal healthy and preventing any potential medical issues.” FRUITFUL LABOR Zookeeper Tom Brown starts each day in the commissary. On any given day, he could be chopping bright red apples for the beavers or sorting through seafood used during training sessions that help the sea otters participate in their vet care. As he works, he consults the feed charts and other documents to ensure every animal he cares for gets the nutrients they need. “I have to make sure I have the resources to do everything on the list,” Brown says as he inspects a box of potatoes for quality control. “It’s like baking a cake. I don’t want to start making a recipe and realize, ‘Oh no, I have to go to the store.’ You need to make sure you have the sugar — otherwise, you are making biscuits.” All members of the animal care team participate in diets and commissary work to some extent, but Brown spends more time in the commissary than most — something he finds rewarding. “It’s really interesting because I get to work with all the animals at the Zoo, rather than a select few,” he says. “I really enjoy it.” Souza feels the same. Despite the hard work of lifting boxes from delivery trucks, mountains of paperwork and countless calculations, she wouldn’t trade her work for the world — especially when she gets to toss some produce to the grizzly bears. “I’ve always loved animals — who works at a Zoo and doesn’t? So being able to partake in their welfare and enrichment through food is rewarding,” she says, smiling. “Even if I’m just on the purchasing side of it, I get to help make the animals’ lives more enjoyable while they are here and make it possible for our guests — who might grow up to be a zookeeper, a vet or a conservationist — to see the animals in the Zoo and learn about them. Having a hand in that is so fulfilling.” TOM BROWN NICOLE GREEN
8 THE MAGIC Experience FIVE REASONS TO SEE WILD LIGHTS There’s still time to see Wild Lights, presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions! Running select evenings at the Detroit Zoo through Jan. 7, Wild Lights has been a treasured holiday tradition for more than a decade for a reason. At this incredible event, you’ll encounter enchanting animal-themed light sculptures that bring a whimsical touch to the festive season and create a magical experience for all ages. Be prepared to be mesmerized by millions of twinkling LED lights transforming the Zoo into a winter wonderland. Still need a reason to visit Wild Lights this year? Here are five: SPECTACULAR LIGHT DISPLAYS | Marvel at millions of twinkling lights illuminating nearly 500 unique displays, creating a stunning and immersive spectacle for visitors of all ages. TOYLAND AND WISHING TREE | Dive into a joyful wonderland filled with life-sized toy sculptures, including a 40-foot-long train, perfect for festive photos. Don’t forget to make a holiday wish at the wishing tree! HOLIDAY ENTERTAINMENT | Enjoy live entertainment in the Wild Lights Lodge. Listen to festive music that will have you tapping your feet and getting into the holiday spirit. SEASONAL TREATS AND BEVERAGES | Indulge in delicious seasonal treats and warm beverages as you explore, keeping you fueled and cozy during your magical winter adventure. DANCING LIGHTS SPECTACLE | Enjoy the mesmerizing synchronized light shows, where vibrant displays dance to cheery holiday tunes. It’s a visual feast that will leave you in awe. Don’t miss your chance to take part in this holiday tradition. Purchase your tickets at dzoo.org/wildlights. Wild Lights is also sponsored by Burns & Wilcox, Kroger, Michigan First Credit Union, Suburban Subaru of Troy, KeyBank, DTE, Buddy’s Pizza, Doetsch Environmental Services, Lincoln of Troy, Michigan Panthers, IBEW Local 58, Genisys Credit Union, Gray’s Outdoor Services, Hagopian, National Flag Football and Aqua Tots.
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11 Welcome PENGUIN CHICKS JOIN DETROIT ZOO GROUP There are a few new faces — and feathers — to meet at one of the Detroit Zoo’s most famous habitats. This past spring, the Polk Penguin Conservation Center added three newly hatched penguins to its waddle. Two, Stanley and Fitzroy, are macaroni penguins. These two penguin chicks were named after locations in the Falkland Islands, honoring the Detroit Zoological Society’s conservation work to protect wild penguins and sea birds in this territory. Just a little while later, Stanley and Fitzroy were joined by another new chick — Opal, a rockhopper penguin. Today, these penguins have mostly molted their fluffy chick down and are sporting adult-like feathers. Now that they are growing up, they have been introduced to their habitat and the other penguins who call the Zoo home. You can meet these three — and the rest of the penguin waddle — at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center. To pick these three out from the crowd, look for Stanley’s blue flipper bands, Fitzroy’s red bands and Opal’s pink flipper bands. “It’s been great to watch these little ones grow up,” says Jessica Jozwiak, bird supervisor. “They fit in great with the rest of the penguin group and have become favorites among our staff and guests. Stop by to visit them today!” TO THE WADDLE Opal Stanley Fitzroy
12 Prime Mates MSHINIDI born Oct. 17, 1987 TULIVU born May 2, 2004 BANDIA born Sept. 13, 1997 NAYEMBI born Nov. 16, 2012
13 A new gorilla troop that moved to the Zoo this summer is adjusting beautifully — to their new home and each other. Four new gorillas moved to the Detroit Zoo in August 2023. Three — Mshindi, Tulivu and Bandia — arrived from the Cincinnati Zoo, where they had lived together in a troop since 2019. The fourth, Nayembi, moved from Lincoln Park Zoo. All four were recommended to move to the Detroit Zoo by the Gorilla Species Survival Plan. Today, the foursome gets along great — but it took a lot of careful work from animal care staff to get them comfortable and acquainted with one another. Gorilla first impressions, much like that of humans, can go either way. “You can plan for the best, but be prepared for any potential issues,” says Aaron Jesue, animal care staff. “We knew Nayembi would be at a disadvantage because the other three had been together for four years and had an established bond. We needed to make sure Nayembi and the male, Mshindi, could bond quickly.” Mshindi is a “silverback,” the term for male gorillas once they reach age 12 and develop silver fur on their back and hips. As a silverback, Mshindi’s role is the troop’s leader — protecting the females and resolving any conflicts. “If Nayembi and Mshindi could form a bond, we knew he’d step in if there were any issues between her and the other girls,” Jesue says. The gorillas’ first stop after their move to the Detroit Zoo was a short quarantine in the veterinary hospital to be sure they were all healthy. During that time, the gorillas could all see each other and get used to each other. Mshindi, especially, made his presence known to Nayembi right away. FOUR GORILLAS SETTLE INTO THEIR DETROIT ZOO HOME “Behaviorally, he was ‘displaying’ towards her: showing off; showing how tough he is,” says Primate Supervisor Melissa Thueme. “Nayembi is very savvy. She has a lot of experience in gorilla behavior from growing up and interacting with brothers and sisters. She knew exactly what to do. She’d stay very calm, turn her head away slightly, signaling, ‘Yep, you’re impressive, you’re strong, you’re in charge. Are you done now?’ And then she’d come back up and try to greet him and try to sit near him.” “We didn’t see any negative interactions; just a lot of interest,” Jesue adds. By the first week of August, the gorillas were ready to move into their new habitat. Their first stop would be their indoor habitat — the Great Apes building. Once Mshindi and Nayembi were ready to share a habitat, it was time to introduce the entire troop to one another. After a period of monitoring them closely and seeing only positive interactions, all four gorillas were introduced. “At first, there was a little chasing and vocalizing among the girls,” Jesue notes. “There has to be some kind of interaction because even though the silverback is dominant, the three girls have to figure out their hierarchy within the group. Mshindi stepped in when he needed to, but from that point, things have been going really well. Nayembi is completely in the flow of what the others are doing. It’s been awesome watching them interact and mesh together so quickly.” The four quickly settled into the rhythm of life at the Detroit Zoo. They build nests to sleep in; and in the morning, they forage as zookeepers bring their morning food. After eating, the four usually nap as the zookeepers clean up and arrange their habitat for the day. The four then spend the day exploring and socializing, then enjoying another nap before supper and bedtime. “We love having this gorilla group here at the Zoo,” Thueme says. “They are fantastic to watch, and it’s been a pleasure getting to know them.”
14 GIVINGa lasting gift THE WILDLIFE LEGACY CIRCLE The Wildlife Legacy Circle is a group of thoughtful and caring supporters who have included the Detroit Zoological Society in their estate plans. Through their planned gifts, Wildlife Legacy Circle members create a lasting legacy at the Detroit Zoo and the Belle Isle Nature Center while igniting positive change for animals and nature. For more information or to inform us that the Detroit Zoological Society is in your estate plans, please contact Nora Rhein at nrhein@dzs.org or (248) 336-5725.
15 Nancy Albright Sharon Alexander Luther and Diane Aman Anonymous (13) Sally Arrivee Suzanne L. Baber Margaret L. Barrus Dr. Barbara S. Beresford Mandell and Madeleine Berman Foundation Virginia B. Bertram Albert and Rachel Boomgaert Audrey J. Boyes Mary Kay Brady Janet Brandon and Joseph Collins Heather Bush Nancy J. Byder Ms. Susan B. Carlin Celia K. Carr Priscilla Cheever Roseann Comstock Ralph E. Condit Katherine Coomer Laura Crossley Ms. Leslie C. Devereaux Marjorie DeVlieg Marjorie E. Diedrich David Dolan Sidney J. Dowding Clover E. Downs Edward T. Dryer Elizabeth Duell Henry Duluk Bette Dyer Joan Earl Ms. Marion Elder June M. Everett Charlotte Failing The Farbman Family - Burton, Suzy, David, Andy, Amy and Alexis Claudine Farrand and Daniel Moerman Tina Fisher Carl E. Fleischer and Mary Ann Fleischer Ms. Lydia Foley Pamela R. Francis Doreen Gordon Frankel Mark and Donna Frentrup Margaret Frischkorn Josephine S. Gehringer Shirley Glass Mr. & Mrs. Robert R. Gross Martha Grovenstein Major Clarence Gwyllt Rita C. and John M. Haddow Foundation Dorothy E. Haden Dennis M. Haggerty Kenneth E. Hart Anne E. Hengesbach Glenn Henry Jura Hill Mary L. Hobart Ernie and Shirley Hodas Esther Hofley Carol and Andy Howell Ms. Joyce M. Jipson Cathy L. Johnson Annette Johnston Harvey L. Katchan William Kernan Ms. King Ms. Marjorie Kissick Anna Louise Knight Kevin Koch James M. Kozlowicz Roberta Kunin Ms. Agnes LeClair Raymond LeVeque Lisa and Paul Machala Marshall S. Mahoney Henry Maloney Leokadia L. Marshall Jack B. Marshall and Catherine Marks WILDLIFE LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERS
16 George E. Martin Mr. William L. Martin, Jr. Mary Kay Mason Mary Mattiello Ms. Alexandria Maylou Mary E. Mellor Melissa Merkau Vincent and Marilou Messina Barbara J. Frankel Madeline Mikolic Lois and Gene Miller Frances C. Moceri Miriam Mondry Christine Morrison Elizabeth Mosuk Jill M. Murphy Surayyah R. Muwwakkil Ms. Marilyn Nachman Cara and David Nims Clarice Odgers Percox Edith Ogg William Oram Robert Oren and Lynn Sarosik Diane Paglia Dorothy Petit John Pickles Frank Pietraszewski Thad and Alicia Podmokly Albina Pogorzelski Thomas H. Porter Doris B. Pratt Mary Carol Prokop Joanne A. Rackham and Katherine Rackham Dorothy J. Reidel Deborah J. Remer Helen G. Reyhl Trust Richard R. Reyhl Dr. John and Shirley Richardson Jack and Margaret Ricketts Katherine D. Rines Susan Kingsepp-Ring and Robert Ring Richard and Joanie Rizzio Joan Robb Mrs. Shirley W. Sarver Richard and Lynn Scarlett Irene and Charles Scheffler Alyssa Leigh Schuette Gloria and Donald Schultz Karanne Schultz Gary Charles and Claire L. Schwartz Lisa A. Shamie Mary A. Smith Anthony Smolak Sandra Souter Barbara Spreitzer-Berent H. Georgie St. Amour Shirley Steele Judy L. Stephens Marlne Stoll Mary Cay Sullivan Casimer Frank Surletta Virginia Sutherland Flora Temple Marion Catherine Thomas Mary T. Trambush Marie. A. Tront Janice and Joel Ungar Elizabeth Van Leeuwen Donna Voytush Ms. Norma J. Wagner Mr. Gordon H. Ward Jacqueline Binkert-Ward, Phd and Mark Ward Anne S. Waterman Margaret Watkins Jared Welsh, Jr. Sarah Jane L. Wiant Dorothy M. Williams Bethany ElizabethJean Wilson Cathy Young Names updated as of Nov. 6, 2023. If we omitted or misspelled your name, please contact us at (248) 336-5725 so we may correct our records. WILDLIFE LEGACY CIRCLE MEMBERS CONT.
17 The Belle Isle Nature Center is home to many animals, but some of the most visible are the gray treefrogs. Visitors scan and squint trying to track down these exquisitely camouflaged creatures, who are usually hiding in plain sight on panes of glass, aluminum windows and door frames and fencing inside their habitat. The young and the young at heart can approach their search from “underground” by popping up into an acrylic viewing bubble to see if they can spy a frog from the garden level. Wild gray treefrogs are very comfortable in urban settings and can often be found on the sides of buildings, window ledges, gutters, downspouts and other shady places in the wild. There are two species of gray treefrogs found in Michigan, and the Nature Center is home to both — Cope’s gray treefrog and the eastern gray treefrog. These frogs have fascinating capabilities, including the ability to survive frozen temperatures, as well as being able to modify their coloring to blend in with their surroundings. Stop by the Nature Center today to see these amazing amphibians up close! Meet A BELLE ISLE STAR
18 One might describe partula nodosa as small but mighty. When fully grown, these tiny, critically endangered snails are smaller than the head of a dime. However, their environmental and cultural impact is far bigger than the shells they carry along their backs. That is why the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is part of a breeding and release program setting the trail to bring these invertebrates back from the brink of extinction. “Partula snails are vital to French Polynesian culture and maintaining tropic forest health,” says Erica Graber, DZS animal care staff. “Losing this species is devastating to the balance of the forest ecosystem and the history of the people living there. That’s why this program is extremely important.” The DZS has participated in a global conservation program, the Partula Programme Consortium, since 2001, which manages a captive breeding program at zoos in the United Kingdom, France and the United States. This spring, the program coordinated its largest-to-date release of partula snails to their native Papahue Valley, Tahiti. Of the 2,313 snails released into the wild, 1,449 were raised at the Detroit Zoo. Small BUT MIGHTY DZS PROGRAM HELPING BRING SNAIL POPULATIONS BACK FROM EXTINCTION
19 “It was incredible to be a part of this release,” Graber says. “I think we all got into this line of work because we care about animals and want to make a difference. This release has the potential to make a huge impact on the survival of a species, and that is what we are all about.” The DZS team raises these snails inside a climate- controlled, out-of-public-view room inside the Zoo’s National Amphibian Conservation Center. There, Graber attends to the snails’ every need. Despite being some of the smallest animals at the Zoo, caring for them is no tiny task as the Center often has thousands of snails at any given time. Once the snails are mature, DZS staff members send them to the Saint Louis Zoo in preparation for release. After that, they are shipped to Tahiti, where they are introduced to their native habitat. So far, the conservation program’s results seem promising — especially after this latest release, says Mark Vassallo, DZS curator of amphibians. However, it will be years before we can see its true impact. In the future, Vassallo hopes to increase the DZS’s involvement in the Partula Programme Consortium and participate in even bigger and more impactful releases. “At first look, it seems the snails are taking well to their natural habitat,” he says “Things are looking bright for the future of this critical species.” MARK VASSALLO AND ERICA GRABER
Unwrap a year full of wonder. Gift a Detroit Zoo membership to a special person in your life! Three ways to gift: With great benefits such as free parking,* discounts on merchandise and education programs, advance ticket sales and much more, a Detroit Zoo membership is the perfect gift for any occasion. • Visit dzoo.org/gift23 • Call (248) 541-5717 • Visit us at the front gates *Free parking available during daytime public hours. Annual membership will begin upon gift certificate redemption.
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