HOME IS WHERE THE HERD IS - 2020 GRATITUDE REPORT - The Calgary Zoo
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HOME IS WHERE THE HERD IS 2020 GRATITUDE REPORT
CONTENTS EVERY HERD NEEDS A HOME
1 Every Herd Needs a Home 10 From One Home to Another What makes a Last year, as people adjusted to In a year like no other, a community
working or learning from home, of generous donors, zoo members
2 Together, Apart 12 A World Away home? your zoo’s Animal Care, Health and organizations came together
Simmering pots of soup and and Welfare team were front and to continue to provide homes for
4 A Long Journey Home 14 A New Kind of Homework center tending to each individual animals to thrive, inspiration to
fresh baked bread in the kitchen?
and creating innovative and people across the globe, and hope
6 A Special Arrival 16 Thank You to Our Pack Ample room for celebrations and
gatherings? For humans and enriching activities to help the for endangered species to fill their
8 What’s the Buzz? animals alike the answers vary, animals stay active and engaged homes in the wild once again.
but for most it’s the time spent in their homes. Hippos, Sparky and The following pages showcase
together and caring that make a Lobi, continued to receive their some of these successes and give
place feel like home. daily tooth treatments, the king an inside look at this collaborative
penguins continued their outdoor impact. None of it would be
Muskox like space to roam, waddle (even if there were no
browsing on grass, roots and possible without you. We can’t do
guests to see them), and birthdays this work alone – it takes a herd.
stems. Their sharp hooves allow continued to be celebrated with
them to break through frozen exciting enrichment to encourage
ground, so they are at home in the play and exploration (like black and
arctic tundra. Your zoo’s western white colobus monkey Kito’s first
lowland gorilla troop, on the other
What is the pack impact?
birthday filled with paper banners
hand, enjoy both an indoor and Providing world-class care for the animals
and snow).
outdoor habitat as they don’t love that call your zoo home, inspiring
the Alberta winters. They are very For the Conservation Research conservation action and giving hope to
intelligent foragers and need a lot team their home away from home species at risk of extinction can’t be done
of stimulation, so the Animal Care is often out in the field collecting alone – it takes a group of like-minded
data, conducting innovative advocates coming together. It takes a pack.
team add or move enrichment
items three times daily to keep research, and releasing species-
things interesting. at-risk into the wild. Though
2020 saw many challenges and
More than 1,000 animals with changes, critical conservation work
unique diets and needs live here. continued to help conserve wildlife
worldwide.
Your donations help feed our animals. Here’s a bite of where they go:
$550,000/MONTH $39,000/YEAR $23,000/YEAR
ANIMAL CARE AND FEEDING PENGUINS RED PANDAS
A variety of fish and seafood including Food and bamboo for our three
capelin, herring, smelt and squid for red pandas.
Penguin Plunge residents.
1
TOGETHER, APART
Care during the The response from the community give us all something to smile
was overwhelming. People sent us about.
closure. notes, drawings and photos. They Most importantly, your support
When your zoo closed its doors on shared their own zoo memories allowed the visionary animal
March 16, 2020 to help slow the and heartwarming thoughts. care your zoo is known for to
spread of COVID-19, we weren’t Donors gave; members renewed. continue, even in the midst of great
sure what the future held. In an A group of eight corporate uncertainty.
instant, the zoo lost $7 million in sponsors, including distilleries and
breweries, donated hand sanitizer African lion, Baruti, received a
revenue – funds normally earned much-needed root canal. The
through admissions, events, and essential personal protective
equipment for zoo staff, volunteers red river hogs wallowed in cocoa
educational programs and sales. peat enrichment. Giraffe hooves
We had planned for the future. We and visitors. Your support provided
hope, even in the darkest days. were trimmed. And even amid
had reserves in place, but nobody a pandemic, new life sprouted.
was prepared for this level of Your zoo was closed for 68 days North American river otter, Kate,
catastrophic effect. but, because of you, animal lovers became a first-time mom to pups
The call went out, letting our across the world interacted with Feist, Maeve, Fergus and Emmett
community know the zoo needed your zoo in new and virtual ways. on the same day your zoo closed
support. People from all over the More than 52 million people from
around the globe tuned in to the
its doors. Your support was vital in WE KNEW EVERYTHING
world responded from 454 cities ensuring all our animals continued
in 11 provinces and 12 countries. Daily Dose and Weekly Dose
series allowing them to connect
to receive world-class care. WAS DIFFERENT – THE
The biggest amount of support Although we were apart, together
came from the Calgary area - where with wildlife and learn about
the conservation work you help we were all a part of the animals’
ANIMALS DIDN’T.
zoo experiences have inspired well-being.
generations of visitors. support. At a time when many of
us were stuck at home, you helped
What did donations support in 2020?
34%
CONSERVATION 52%
OPERATING, INCLUDING ANIMAL
NUTRITION, HEALTH AND CARE
14%
CAPITAL
2 3
A LONG JOURNEY HOME
Pandas return. receive exceptional care from their It Takes a Pack
human caregivers. Because of
It took an international community to
Giant pandas, Er Shun and Da you, your zoo continued sourcing ensure the pandas arrived in China safely.
Mao, arrived in Calgary in March fresh bamboo from a variety of Alongside you, it wouldn’t have been
2018 with cubs, Jia Panpan and suppliers across North America. possible without support from Lufthansa
Jia Yueyue. This family brought The health and well-being of our Cargo AG, DynaLIFE, Consulate team in
joy and inspiration to thousands cherished giant pandas was always Chengdu, Ambassador of Canada to the
of people. Sadly, it was time for top priority. People’s Republic of China, Consulate
the cubs to return to China in General of the People’s Republic of China
The good news arrived in
January 2020. Although sad, this in Calgary team, Canadian Food Inspection
September – international permit Agency, Market Express, Canadian Chinese
was expected. Your zoo would approvals were underway! And after Embassy, Global Affairs Canada, YYC
still have Er Shun and Da Mao for months and months of hard work, Airport, International Animal Lounge YYC,
another three years. And hopefully and endless piles of documents the Chinese Association of Zoological
new cubs to celebrate. Only three and permits, on November 27th Gardens, Chinese Ministry of Foreign
months later, everything changed. Er Shun and Da Mao boarded a Affairs, Suncoast Nursery, San Diego Zoo,
The pandemic saw international Lufthansa Cargo flight on their way Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda
flights immediately being home to Chengdu, China. Breeding, Chongqing Zoo, the National
cancelled. This included weekly Forestry and Grassland Administration of
After consuming approximately China, Chinese Customs and the Embassy
shipments of fresh bamboo from 100kg (200lbs) of bamboo each, of Canada in China.
China that the zoo had depended and a short layover in Frankfurt,
on since the pandas’ arrival. With our beloved pandas touched
your support, the zoo worked down in Chengdu. They were then
tirelessly with alternate bamboo transported to Chongqing Zoo - Er “This was an incredibly
suppliers to find a way to keep Shun’s birthplace. Finally home – difficult decision to
the giant pandas fed, despite where bamboo is abundant and
misdirected shipments and slower make but the health
local.
than acceptable delivery times and well-being of
Er Shun and Da Mao became
causing some poor-quality bamboo
cherished members of your
the animals we love
that the giant pandas wouldn’t eat.
Calgary Zoo family. And although and care for always
After months of overcoming
barriers to transport fresh bamboo,
they will be deeply missed by comes first.”
staff, volunteers, the community
the tough decision had to be and visitors from around the – Dr. Clément Lanthier
made. The best and safest place world, their time at the zoo not President & CEO, Calgary Zoo
for Er Shun and Da Mao was where only contributed to wild panda
bamboo is abundant and easy to conservation but also inspired and
access – back home in China. educated visitors. Thanks to you,
And so, in May the lengthy process their legacy will be felt for years to
began. come.
For months, China was unable
to approve international permits
due to changes in its import laws
and quarantine facilities due to
COVID-19. However, despite the
delay, your support allowed Er
Shun and Da Mao to continue to
4 5
A SPECIAL ARRIVAL
Helping the littlest veterinary team then carefully genetic diversity. Everyone was for any potential infections from The Pack Impact
patched the significantly cracked rooting for the littlest king penguin! the compromised egg. But thanks
king penguin. shell with a Tegaderm transparent to you, the littlest king penguin
Your donations provide world-class care to all • Premium air filtration system that keeps
Against all odds, the tiny chick our penguins. Here’s how they’re used: the air at a constant cool temperature,
Even the most experienced moms film dressing (usually used to cover tried to hatch itself! A hatching is thriving! Your generosity is the while also removing any pathogens, dust,
• Food and care for 49 penguins including
and dads have challenges with and protect human wounds) along chick works hard for days to break driving force behind the world- or other particles.
13 king penguins, 13 gentoos, 19
their wee ones. This was the case with some glue to fill the cracks. through its shell. This wee one class care every animal receives
Humboldts, 2 Northern rockhoppers and • Misters to keep the rocks moist and
with seasoned k ing penguins, The precious egg was then placed didn’t have any more strength left. at your Calgary Zoo. Simply put, 2 Southern rockhoppers provide enrichment.
Grace and Solomon, last July as into an electronic egg incubator in It needed experienced helping we couldn’t do it without you.
• Premium water filtration systems that
they awaited the hatching of their the hopes of saving the little one’s hands. Your Calgary Zoo team filter a 144,000 litre indoor pool and a
chick. During the final stretch of a life. gently assisted the chick, ever-so- 49,700 litre outdoor pool once an hour.
nearly two-month long incubation With the egg safe and warm carefully breaking the shell first and
period, Grace and Solomon’s egg in the incubator it was closely then the egg membrane so that it
became cracked after Grace moved monitored for its progress for could ease its way into the world.
away from it, and it rolled down the several days, ever-hopeful that it The chick fully hatched on July 18!
beach into some rocks. Damage would survive. Birds rely on an air The chick was reunited with
to an egg during the incubation cell in their egg to breathe, and parents, Grace and Solomon, who
journey is an incredible obstacle to this had been compromised when warmly welcomed their little one
overcome for a hatchling. the egg cracked. This tiny new back after its challenging arrival.
Thanks to your support, your arrival to your zoo’s king penguin The Animal Care, Health and
Calgary Zoo team sprang into colony would be an essential Welfare team monitored it very
action, rushing the egg to a addition to the Species Survival closely for the first weeks to ensure
specialized incubation room. The Plan, protecting and safe-guarding it was gaining weight and to treat it Species Survival Plans contribute
to the success of an assurance
population of animal ambassadors
that advocate for their wild
relatives - one way we can act
today to help secure the future of
endangered species.
A Name Fit for a Queen
The blood results were in and it was determined that the littlest
king penguin was…female! The next step on the little one’s journey
was finding this fighter a name. The task was taken on by you, our
donor community. With 122 votes cast and more than $7,000
raised, the results were in – the newest addition to your zoo’s king
penguin colony was named after the Celtic warrior queen, Boudicca
(pronounced BOO-dik-ah). A perfect name for our royal chick.
6 7
WHAT’S THE BUZZ?
Celebrating a new play space.
Last year saw the grand opening of a new nature inspired interactive play
and learning space in the heart of the Canadian Wilds - the Brawn Family
Foundation Bugtopia!
This incredible new play space helps visitors get closer to, and gain a
different perspective on, some of the amazing insects and critters that
make their home in Alberta. This larger-than-life space is designed for
children of all ages and immerses visitors in the playful world of insects,
including select accessible and inclusive play features. For the first time,
thanks to your support, visitors stepped across the bridge into the flying
and the fuzzy, the slimy and the squishy, the beautiful and the buzzy world
of bugs to learn more about these vitally important creatures.
Who are those tiny critters in your backyard by that old tree stump? Your
support helps visitors young and old find out as they climb, swing and
slide through three themed towers.
This project wouldn’t have been possible without your generosity along
with the Brawn Family Foundation.
This space not only builds empathy for some of
the smallest species, but it also encourages kids
to play in a way that might be different than what
they’ve experienced in other play areas before.
8 9
FROM ONE HOME TO ANOTHER
Tadpoles on the hints as to where they might expect the first successful breeding of Pack Impact
to find fertilized egg masses later Northern leopard frogs in our care
move. in the spring. at your Calgary Zoo! This success
Conservation programs were heavily cut back • The first successful breeding of Northern • Vancouver Island marmot and black-
due to the pandemic – a 20% reduction in leopard frogs in your zoo’s care resulted in tailed prairie dog status continued to
As Conservation Research As the season progressed, would not have been possible budget. Your support was crucial in ensuring 16 zoo-born adult frogs released in British be monitored, and innovative analyses
Population Ecologist, Lea Randall, things were looking up for without your support and the vital work continued. The conservation Columbia. to support whooping crane, swift fox,
trudged through knee-high snow Northern leopard frogs. Your zoo’s expertise and dedication of our translocation programs you help fund are and fisher programs in the wild were
• 20 burrowing owls and 20 greater sage-
hauling a sled weighted down with partners in Creston Valley Wildlife Animal Care, Health and Welfare giving hope to endangered species:
grouse were released into the wild.
conducted.
heavy, awkward equipment in early Management Area found 24 egg team. For the first time, tadpoles • A total of 14,488 Northern leopard frog • Work began on your zoo’s smallest
• Partners at the Marmot Recovery
March of 2020, she wondered masses during their search efforts. and froglets born and raised at tadpoles were released into the wild: conservation species, the half-moon
Foundation released one Vancouver Island
what the Northern leopard frog Despite the logistical complications your Calgary Zoo were released 14,463 from the wild population along hair streak butterfly, in collaboration
marmot born at your Calgary Zoo.
field season would bring. Once of translocating egg masses during into the wild. with Vancouver Aquarium’s breeding with Lakes National Park.
population, 25 from your Calgary Zoo’s
widespread across the country, a pandemic, an elaborate relay Your support has enabled our
breeding program.
Northern leopard frog populations system for releases was set up. conservation breeding program
have been in decline since the First, our partners in Creston would to continue contributing Northern
1970’s due to habitat loss, identify and protect egg masses leopard frogs to populations in the
invasive species, and disease. from predators using temporary wild, ensuring their persistence.
Today, only one wild population enclosures. Then, our partners These frogs play a vital role in the
remains in British Columbia in the packaged the egg masses for wetlands where they live and are “We know that frogs play vital roles in our ecosystems
Creston Valley. Lea’s team picked transport and another member of an indicator species, reflecting and by having an on-site reintroduction conservation
their way through the snowdrifts, the team arrived to help transport the health of the habitats they call program we will help to ensure their survival into
on their way to set up automated them to us. When they arrived at home. Thanks to you, we hope to
recording equipment to monitor the release site, we stepped in to someday hear the mating calls of
the future, and ultimately help global amphibian
Northern leopard frogs breeding release the tadpoles into the wild. Northern leopard frogs in wetlands conservation efforts.”
in the wetland. The calls of male In addition to these wild-to-wild across British Columbia.
Northern leopard frogs provided – Lea Randall
translocations, we also celebrated
Conservation Research Population Ecologist, Calgary Zoo
10 11
“Our belief is to save endangered species,
A WORLD AWAY you can only do that effectively and
management and eco-tourism and ethanol production to make hand
responsibly by addressing not just the
Protecting livelihoods, needs of the species, but the people.”
identifying sustainable employment sanitizer. Both hand sanitizer and
protecting sitatunga. opportunities for local people. face masks have been registered
with and certified by the Ghana – Axel Moehrenschlager
Located in southeastern Ghana, The 13,000 residents who call Director Conservation & Science, Calgary Zoo
the Avu Lagoon wetland is a the communities surrounding Avu Food and Drug Authority. You have
freshwater marsh consisting of Lagoon home are primarily farmers supported the establishment of
a shallow lake, plus surrounding and fishers, and many make their two enterprises that can provide
streams, rivers and aquatic living from eco-tourism. So, when employment and income within the
vegetation. This watery landscape the COVID-19 pandemic hit, it had Avu Lagoon communities, while at
is also home to the world’s only devastating consequences. Tourism the same time producing tools and
aquatic antelope: the sitatunga. almost stopped. Livelihoods were materials to help residents mitigate
In all of Ghana, this is the only lost. Crime levels spiked. Urban the risk of the ongoing COVID
location where this majestic to rural migration increased due pandemic.
creature remains. to lost employment in the cities The virus may have succeeded in
Sitatunga are an aquatic antelope resulting in increased pressure on keeping many of you locked up in
species with specially adapted natural resources. The absence your homes, but it did not stop you
hooves to navigate floating of visitors also emboldened from spreading your generosity
vegetation. Habitat loss and poachers and farmers who across the world to protect
hunting are challenges for this illegally encroach on the protected sitatunga and other wildlife while
unique species. Concealed in core zone. But thanks to you, benefiting local communities. To
the wetlands, sitatunga are community conservation efforts each of you we say AYEKOO!
so difficult to detect they were in 2020 focused on supporting
once believed to be extinct in local communities and providing
Ghana, until the species was sustainable income sources to
rediscovered in Avu Lagoon. In reduce reliance on nature during a
2006, the villages surrounding time of economic instability.
Avu Lagoon banded together to Your generosity allowed existing
create a community protected women’s groups in Avu Lagoon to
area for this elusive antelope. acquire equipment and supplies
With your help, your Calgary for producing face masks.
Zoo supports the communities Similarly, artisanal distillation of
of Avu Lagoon by enhancing a local alcoholic beverage from
local capacity for protected area sugar cane was transformed into
The Pack Impact
Your support ensured that our community In Madagascar, you helped 112 single In Kenya, you supported the continued
conservation partners in Ghana, Kenya, and mothers working at local tree nurseries monitoring of the mountain bongo, one of
Madagascar could continue their important so they could help the environment while the most endangered antelope species in the
conservation work: securing income for their families and world, while pushing for potential community-
community. led honey-harvesting collectives that would
At the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary,
allow communities to benefit from forests that
you supported the repairs and installation of In Ghana, rangers in Avu Lagoon and the
the bongos need to survive.
33 boreholes and water systems across the Wechiau Community Hippo Sanctuary
communities meaning people can get clean were able to increase their ground patrols
water without getting it from the river and providing a greater presence in the core
having to access sensitive hippo habitat. zones, monitoring for signs of poaching and
encroachment and to maintain and monitor
camera traps.
12 13
A NEW KIND OF HOMEWORK
Adapting to a new What used to be in-person field Chevron Open Minds Zoo School “Our virtual safari was absolutely
trips, turned into virtual school also went virtual. Students
way of learning. programs and safaris. Students got close-up looks of a virtual
fabulous! The students said it was
could come nose to beak with collection of 360-degree images like they were actually at the zoo!
On a typical spring day, a drive
past your Calgary Zoo’s parking lot the super cool inhabitants of of some of your zoo’s biofacts. The educator was engaging,
Penguin Plunge. Or take an in Biofact kits were also developed.
would have you seeing yellow. A the information was terrific and
sea of school buses would fill the depth look at how tiny changes This meant that for the first time,
can have profound effects on biofacts were able to be moved off the students loved to hear their
spaces as thousands of students
roamed the zoo learning and entire ecosystems. Thanks to the site to schools, giving students a questions being answered. I have
exploring. A visit to zoo grounds generous support of corporate chance to interact hands-on with had several parents tell me that
in the summer would have you sponsors like ConocoPhillips these objects in a safe way while
Canada and donors like you, these staying in their classroom. their child went home and told
surrounded by groups of kids
being inspired at summer camps. new programs became possible. In a year when your zoo’s animals them all about our penguin chat
But last year, while your zoo was While in-person summer camps were less accessible than ever and now they want to go to the zoo
making the hard decision to close weren’t in the cards, you made it before, your support allowed us to as a family!”
our gates, Alberta schools made possible to move youth programs continue building deep connections
the shift to a distance learning into a new, virtual landscape. Each between inquiring young minds - Kindergarten educator
format. Students, teachers, and program had the goal of being fun and the world’s wild spaces. Thank
parents all had to adapt to a new and exciting while also including you for helping to inspire the next
way of learning. ways to help protect wildlife and generation to take action to protect
Your Calgary Zoo’s Outreach wild spaces. New technology and our natural heritage.
Education team also had to adapt. new applications made viewing our
How could they continue to help biofact collection possible while
students to learn, encourage them not on zoo grounds. Zooming in
to care, and inspire them to act and showing details on educational
to conserve the wildlife and wild artifacts such as skull replicas and
spaces around them? Your support pelts, allowed campers to make a
allowed your zoo to reach people tangible connection to the animals
in new and innovative ways, in a and places we seek to conserve.
way the zoo has never been able to
achieve before.
The Pack Impact. Your generosity helped
educate a new generation
81 VIRTUAL SCHOOL PROGRAMS REACHED
2061 STUDENTS AND TEACHERS
31 DIFFERENT YOUTH CAMPS HOSTED
358 CAMPERS
14 15
THANK YOU TO OUR PACK
Dear zoo friends, Together, we can and will, protect
You amaze us with your steadfast support of your
Despite the challenges faced, species at risk cannot wildlife and wild places for future
spare the time of a pandemic. Your support allowed
Calgary Zoo, and we are grateful that you’re part of critical conservation work to continue to help species
generations. Thank you for supporting
this extraordinary family. You are vitally important survive and rebound. Five threatened Canadian species wildlife conservation.
to your zoo and to its future. Around the world, we - Vancouver Island marmots, burrowing owls, greater
have experienced loss, trauma and drastic change in sage-grouse, whooping cranes and Northern leopard
response to a global pandemic — but also innovation frogs – have a brighter future thanks to you. Through
and inspiring helpfulness. When the zoo closed to your support of our global conservation programs,
slow the spread of COVID-19, thousands of donors you continued to save hippos, lemurs, mountain
and zoo members rallied to help, giving a combined bongos and sitatunga while also supporting healthy
$1.3 million in just over two months. When we shut our communities and environments. You helped to develop
doors, you opened your hearts. solutions to conserve wildlife worldwide.
Though the zoo was quiet during its 68-day closure, As your zoo looks to the year ahead and prepares
fresh fruit and vegetables were still carefully measured to open expansive new habitats, new spaces and
and cut to serve African crested porcupines each welcome new animals, we look forward to sharing
day; the ring-tailed lemurs’ penchant for sunbathing the excitement with you. We’ll marvel with you as
continued unabated; Western lowland gorilla, Jasiri, these exceptional new homes come to life. As our
guarded his troop as strongly as ever; and your zoo’s Conservation Research team launches an ambitious
Animal Care, Health and Welfare team provided new 10-year plan, which outlines steps to double
outstanding care for all the animals. You were there for our conservation activities and impacts both locally
your zoo through it all. and globally, we’ll celebrate conservation successes.
For the past 92 years your zoo has been a place for There’s a lot happening at your zoo, and that is in large
our community to come together, and thanks to the part thanks to you: our pack.
enthusiasm and generosity of our supporters and the
ingenuity and dedication of staff, your zoo was able
to open its gates once again. The new Zooventure In gratitude,
provided a safety-minded one-way experience with
the largest on-grounds staff presence in our history
ensuring the health of staff, visitors, and the animals in
our care. You provided the community a safe place to Steven Ross
visit when venturing from their homes. Chief Development Officer, Calgary Zoo
2020 2019
Total Funds Raised $5,510,700 $4,966,005
Park Attendance 734,494 1,306,308
Donations Made 17,847 36,715
New Donors 922 386
Monthly Donors 295 120
ZooCare Symbolic Adoptions 1072 346
Burrowing Owls Collected
0 20
for Head-Starting
Vancouver Island Marmot
4 weeks 22 weeks
Field Work
16 17WAYS TO GIVE
Financial support for the Calgary Zoo can be
provided in a variety of ways: from annual gifts
and ZooCare contributions, to donations for
special projects and planned gifts. We invite you
to review our projects and programs to see what
might interest you.
For more information please contact the
development office at the Calgary Zoo.
Calgary Zoo
1300 Zoo Rd NE
Calgary, Alberta T2E 7V6
403-232-7774
donations@calgaryzoo.com
Charitable Registration #118824192RR0001
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