Saving Wildlife Around the Globe - "Believe" A Million Smiles, A Thousand Thanks - NC Zoo Society
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Magazine of the
NC Zoo Society
w w w.nczoo.com
Saving Wildlife
Around the
Globe
“Believe”
A Million Smiles,
A Thousand Thanks
Winter 2020 :: 1
In This ISSUE
Winter 2020 Issue No. 99
S OC IET Y BOARD 3 Conservation Connection:
MICHAEL J. FISHER
SMART Technology: Helping to Save Wildlife Around
Chair the Globe
Greensboro
6 Improving Animal Welfare Around the World
MARJORIE M. RANKIN
Secretary 8 The Holidays are Coming
Asheboro
10 Thank Yous
JOHN RUFFIN
Treasurer 11 Travel With the Zoo Society
Winston-Salem
NICOLE CRAWFORD
12 Extraordinary Experiences in 2020
Durham 13 More Than a Million Smiles
BILL CURRENS, JR.
Charlotte 14 Zoo To Do 2019 Thank Yous
SUMNER FINCH BC “Believe”—a New Holiday Event
High Point Four Stars—Five Years and Counting
SCOTT JONES
Clemmons
SCOTT E. REED
Winston-Salem
DAVID K. ROBB
Charlotte
BARRY C. SAFRIT
Greensboro
MARGERY SPRINGER
Raleigh
KENT A. VARNER
Charlotte On the Cover....
CHARLES M. WINSTON, JR.
Raleigh
Wild African Lion
CHERYL ARMSTRONG
Executive Director on the Serengeti
Assistant Secretary
EDITORIAL BOARD Bigstock
Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D.,
Managing Editor
De Potter, Design & Layout
Angie Kahn, Proofreader
Cheryl Armstrong Please go to nczoo.com to purchase any items listed in the Alive magazine
John D. Groves or to make a donation to the Zoo Society. If you have questions, or need help,
Corinne Kendall, Ph.D. please give us a call at 336-879-7273.
Mark MacAllister
Tonya Saunders
Jb Minter, DVM he North Carolina Zoo is open every day, weather permitting,
T
except on Christmas Day and Thanksgiving Day. Winter admis-
Pat Simmons sion hours begin November 1 and extend from 9 a.m. through 3
FPO/FSC
Dustin Smith p.m. Summer admission hours begin April 1 and extend from 9
Roger Sweeney a.m. until 4 p.m.
Diane Villa Alive is published quarterly by the North Carolina Zoo Society, the pri-
Financial information about the NC Zoo Society and
vate, 501(c)3 non-profit that raises funds and engenders public support a copy of its license are available from the Charitable
Printed by Hickory Printing Solutions for the North Carolina Zoo. Issue No. 99, Winter 2020. Copyright © by Solicitation Licensing Section at 888-830-4989.
the North Carolina Zoo Society. All rights reserved. The license is not an endorsement by the State.
2 :: NCZoo.com
Conservation Connection
SMART
Technology
Rich Bergl, Ph.D.,
Director of Conservation,
Education, and Science
Helping to Save Wildlife Around the Globe
W Searching for Solutions
ildlife Trafficking has become a massive, nasty
business—so widespread and nefarious that Protected areas, such as national parks and reserves, are
law enforcement agencies rank it as one of the essential for strategically combating poachers. Because
world’s most lucrative transnational crimes. Only three these areas already sustain large patches of biodiversity,
criminal enterprises—the trafficking of people, drugs, and securing them against poachers opens up an efficient way
arms—generate more cash than the illegal wildlife trade. to protect endangered species and their habitats.
It spills enough blood and despoils enough acreage every Unfortunately, though, “shoring up” parks and reserves
year to stash $21 billion into the coffers of criminals and can be challenging. Many of these reserves are quite large
terrorists. and exist in countries with limited financial resources.
These ill-gotten gains amass from a diverse portfolio of Research suggests that only about 24 percent have the staff
criminal enterprises that can destroy anything—people, and the capacity to protect and manage their extensive
cultures, animals, forests, mountaintops, the future—for landholdings.
monetary gain. The poaching sector of this felonious As a consequence, well-armed gangs and small-time
network often targets iconic, charismatic species like poachers can often avoid detection as they slip in, out,
elephants, rhinos, and tigers in order to send their tusks, and about these protected landscapes. The impact of these
skins, claws, teeth, horns, gall bladders, and other remains invasions has been particularly damaging to some of the
up a food chain that generates billions of dollars from the most beloved species living at the North Carolina Zoo. For
sale of these remains. example, illegal hunting has reduced Africa’s wild elephant
Organized criminal gangs and even terrorist groups population by 30 percent in the last decade and has cut the
scoop up most of the profits from these sales. These groups continent’s lion population by half in fewer than 30 years.
network across national boundaries, buying the animal
parts on the cheap and smuggling them into countries like Getting SMART about Conservation
China and Vietnam, where economic growth has generated About eight years ago, the North Carolina Zoo joined with
a growing consumer market for these products. several other major conservation groups to explore inno-
Food consumption adds another layer to this carnage. vative ways to help parks and reserves implement better
Both big- and small-time poachers kill vast numbers of security measures. This collaboration gave birth to the
animals, both large and small, to sell as bushmeat in local SMART partnership*—a group that has grown to include
and international markets. The consequence of this poach- nine organizations, all collaborating to equip rangers and
ing, especially in Africa and Asia, has harmed some species managers with technologies that can improve security
to the extent that they face almost certain extinction with- in and around protected areas. This technology provides
out sustained intervention from conservation groups. rangers and managers with the capacity to collect relevant
Winter 2020 :: 3
data during patrols and to analyze the information to find
evidence of poaching hotspots and other illegal activities.
Known by the acronym “SMART” (Spatial Monitoring
and Reporting Tool), the program equips rangers with
ruggedized smartphones and software that simplify data
collection in the field. The software maps the routes that
rangers follow on patrol and pinpoints the location of data
that rangers input during these patrols. These data include
observations about animal sightings, illegal activities, and
conservation activities.
Making a Global Impact
One of SMART’s key features is its ease of use. Rangers need
very little technical training to collect, store, communicate,
and analyze the data they input. As a result, SMART has
become the global leader in protected area technology. More
than 800 protected sites operating in more than 60 countries
currently use SMART to protect their assets.
Because SMART is freely available to the entire conserva-
tion community, any interested organization can gain access
to this robust set of tools. Through its leadership role in the “None of what we do in terms of protection of gorillas in
SMART partnership, the North Carolina Zoo is helping to Nigeria would be possible without SMART,” said Andrew
save species that range from the icy oceans of the Arctic to Dunn, Country Director of the World Conservation Society
the jungles of Asia and the savannas of Africa. Nigeria Program.
On the other side of Africa, in Zambia, the Zoo works
SMART Successes in Species Conservation with the non-profit, big cat conservation group Panthera,
Besides helping to develop the SMART’s software platform, to protect critical habitat for lions and other carnivores.
Zoo staff has trained several conservation groups to use The Zambia program operates in Kafue National Park,
SMART to protect wildlife living in some of Africa’s most the country’s oldest and largest protected area. Kafue Park
important parks. For example, staff stretches over 8,000 square miles—
has spent more than a decade work- an area larger than the state of
ing with the Wildlife Conservation Massachusetts.
Society in Nigeria to protect the Working in concert with Zam-
Critically Endangered Cross River bia’s Department of National Parks
Gorilla. These gorillas face significant and Wildlife, the Zoo has helped
threats from habitat loss and poach- implement SMART in Kafue. As a
ing, factors that can be mitigated by result, patrolling teams can down-
heightened security measures. load their observations directly into
The North Carolina Zoo adapted their mobile field devices and use
a SMART system specifically to the data to inform debriefings after
the needs of these gorillas and each patrol. This improved efficiency
has trained front-line rangers and makes patrol data available quickly
project managers to use this system and allows managers to plan future
effectively. As a result, SMART has actions based on hard evidence.
become an indispensable tool for the SMART has also supplied depart-
staff working in the three protected ment managers with a better under-
areas where these gorillas still live. standing of the threats affecting
Since setting up our SMART- their national parks. By centralizing
based monitoring systems for Cross data, SMART improves the moni-
River Gorillas, we have seen a 67 toring of key species (e.g., lions) and
percent increase in patrol efforts helps managers allocate resources
and a 71 percent decline in hunting Ranger entering SMART data during a patrol to address threats affecting these
pressures. in Nigeria animals. The program also provides
4 :: NCZoo.com
tourism. In this way, SMART also contributes to support-
ing local livelihoods, in addition to rhino conservation.
The Future of SMART
Even though SMART is already improving wildlife conser-
vation around the world, our partnership will keep improv-
ing the software used by the program. At present, we are
modifying the software to do more than identify existing
pockets of illegal activity. We want to make the software
intelligent enough to predict where illicit activities might
break out in the future.
To accomplish this task, The SMART partnership is
working with Harvard University to add artificial intel-
ligence to the software program. The goal is to fashion a
software system that can plan patrol routes that have a high
probability of identifying places where illegal activities are
An African Lion and a Black Rhino likely to break out.
wandering through a Namibian desert Harvard’s Center for Research on Computation and
Society is developing a system that will integrate into
SMART. Once completed, the system will use cloud com-
data that managers can use to assess the accountability of puting to analyze the massive quantities of data that will be
rangers while they are out on patrol. needed to suggest future patrol routes.
The southern African nation of Namibia contains some Preliminary field tests in Uganda and Cambodia have
of the world’s largest remaining Black Rhinoceros popula- already returned highly promising results. On average,
tions. These rhinos live both in protected areas (e.g., Etosha the artificial intelligence software generates patrol routes
National Park, which has more black rhinos than any other that encounter three times more snares and 12 times more
reserve) and in community-managed lands. SMART is illegal activity than rangers find on routes prepared by
being used to improve the protection of these critical conventional methods. This exciting new approach has
populations. the potential to revolutionize the way that agencies protect
As is typical in other sites, rangers in Etosha collect wildlife.
patrol information on their rugged smartphones and feed
these data into a central database located at park headquar- Recognition for our Work
ters. This procedure gives managers a complete picture of As more and more conservation groups have adopted
activities unfolding over the entire park. SMART technology, the program has gained more and
At Etosha, rangers have also used SMART to conduct more attention. Last year, the Association of Zoos and
annual counts of the rhino population. Research staff Aquariums recognized The SMART Partnership with one
climbs onto helicopters to collect these censuses from the of its highest honors, The William Conway Innovation in
air. These regular counts keep park officials informed about Conservation Award. When bestowing the award, AZA’s
the stability of the rhinoceros’ population. President and CEO Dan Ashe said, “SMART is an inspiring
Outside the national park, the Save the Rhino Trust example of global collaboration and partnerships and the
uses SMART for its community-based rhino monitoring positive impact they can have on research and conservation
program. This program allows local communities to track projects around the world.”
individual rhinos on a daily basis. This daily monitoring Of course, none of SMART’s success would be possible
offers greater protection to the animals and, consequently, without the men and women who put their lives on the line
helps local communities maintain their successful ecotour- to protect wildlife every day of the year. The North Caro-
ism businesses. lina Zoo will continue to support SMART and the efforts of
Local rhino trackers know and recognize all the rhinos these brave individuals worldwide. In this way, the North
in their jurisdictions and use their SMART devices to Carolina Zoo is helping to ensure the future of wildlife and
maintain current records on each of these animals. Track- wild places globally.
ers input data on each individual’s body condition, injuries,
*North Carolina Zoo, World Wildlife Fund, Wildlife Conservation
and movement patterns and can record information on the Society, Frankfurt Zoological Society, Zoological Society of
births and growth of any calves. These data improve the London, Panthera, Wildlife Protection Solutions, Global Wildlife
protection provided to the rhinos and result in better eco- Conservation, Peace Parks Foundation
Winter 2020 :: 5
Improving Animal Well-being
Sally Adams, Zookeeper Supervisor
& Jayne Owen Parker, Ph.D., Director
of Communication & Education
The North Carolina Zoo cares deeply
about its animals. Designers, engi-
neers, zookeepers, veterinarians, edu-
cators—everyone is concerned about
the physical and psychological well-be-
ing of animals inside the Zoo. Perhaps
nowhere is this concern more evident
than in the techniques that govern the
way that zookeepers and veterinary
staff interact with our Zoo’s animals.
Every encounter is carefully orches-
trated to build trust between the animal
and its zookeepers. Positive reinforce- Creating enrichment activities for chimpanzees
ments, often in the form of healthy
treats, dominate these exchanges. The International Zoo
Zookeepers structure these activities Community performing zookeepers demonstrate
to encourage and prompt animals to Unfortunately, many zoos, especially model husbandry standards and teach
participate in their own care. ones operating in developing coun- their counterparts skills to use in
Besides building strong relation- tries, lack the funding and the profes- improving the well-being of their zoos’
ships with their animals, our Zoo’s sional capacity to meet the standards animals.
zookeepers work behind the scenes to attained by zoos like the North Car-
stage and re-stage habitats in ways that olina Zoo. Recently, a British-based Sharing the Caring
inspire the animals to remain active nonprofit accepted the challenge of Recently four of our Zoo’s most
and engaged with the world around helping some of these zoos improve the respected animal zookeepers traveled
them. Daily, zookeepers enrich animal well-being of the animals in their care. to Thailand to launch Wild Welfare’s
habitats with shifting arrays of spe- Known as “Wild Welfare,” this non- first Partner 4 Animals initiative. Two
cies-appropriate puzzles, treats, inter- profit has established a global pres- of Wild Welfare’s top officers, Exec-
esting objects, and even novel scents ence. It works with governments and utive Director Georgina Groves and
and sounds to stimulate their senses. regional zoo associations to strengthen Operations Manager Simon Marsh,
These changes keep animals interested accepted zoo welfare standards. Also, traveled to Thailand with the group as
and engaged with their environment. Wild Welfare organizes training well, to participate in the training and
Delivered in the context of the opportunities to build the capacity of evaluate the effectiveness of this new
Zoo’s spacious naturalized habitats, zookeepers and managers working in program.
these operant conditioning regimes zoos that want to improve their animal Once in Bangkok, the six partici-
and enrichment protocols underpin welfare standards. pants broke into two training teams,
our Zoo’s reputation as a world-leader One of Wild Welfare’s newest each composed of a pair of our Zoo’s
in animal well-being. The staff is well programs, Partner 4 Animals, uses animal zookeepers and one executive
trained and committed to excellence. peer-to-peer training to help zookeep- from Wild Welfare.
The Zoo, with financial support from ers improve their skills and knowledge. One of the groups headed to the
the state and the North Carolina Zoo Partner 4 Animals arranges for highly northern part of Thailand to work with
Society, has access to resources that experienced zookeepers to work along- staff at the Chiang Mai Zoo. The other
make this level of professionalism side zookeepers who want to improve group traveled a few miles outside
possible. their skills. Once in place, these high of Bangkok to work with keepers at
6 :: NCZoo.com
Around the World
the Khao Kheow Open Zoo. Both of ment program. Among other
these training groups spent two weeks things, Supervisor Kauffman
interacting with the staff and animals worked with several zoo
at their respective zoos. mahouts to demonstrate how
The following paragraphs were positive reinforcement regimes
compiled from notes taken by our could improve the care given
Zoo’s Rocky Coast Zookeeper Super- to the elephants’ feet.
visor Sally Adams during her stay in Supervisor Wiley oversees
Thailand. This summary alludes to the the care of our Zoo’s lions,
intensity and impact of these training chimpanzees, and other spe-
sessions. cies. She offered another set of
classes on operant condition-
Khao Kheow Open Zoo ing. Further, she also worked
Our Zookeeper Supervisors Jodi Wiley with the local keepers on
and Nancy Kauffman joined Wild creating enrichment items for
Welfare’s Operations Director Simon several exhibits.
Marsh to work with staff at the Khao
Kheow Open Zoo. The Open Zoo staff Chiang Mai Zoo Training an emu to follow a visual target
requested that these training sessions Meanwhile, Jade Tuttle Abel, one of
our Zoo’s African Plains Keep- One of the most exciting events that
ers, and Sally Adams, the Zoo- happened at the Chiang Mai Zoo
keeper Supervisor for the Rocky was a successful blood draw from the
Coast Birds and Mammals, Greater One-horned Indian Rhinoc-
joined Wild Welfare’s Executive eros (the only one in Thailand)!
Director Georgina Groves to
work with staff at Chiang Mai A Successful First Step
Zoo. These sessions evolved in At the close of the training sessions,
response to suggestions that Supervisor Wiley expressed her
Wild Welfare had made during a enthusiasm about the relationships and
visit to this zoo about two years learning that emerged from this col-
earlier. laborative effort. She was particularly
One of these follow-up ses- grateful for the cultural exchanges that
sions included a formal work- accompanied the formal training.
shop on positive reinforcement Keeper Jade Tuttle Abel echoed
techniques. This workshop gave these sentiments by saying: “It was
the Chiang Mai Zoo’s keepers the most rewarding two weeks of my
hands-on practice using positive career. When we gave these keepers
reinforcement during interac- an idea, they ran with it. I expect the
tions with kangaroos and Cape welfare team at Chiang Mai to grow
Fur Seals. exponentially as we continue to share
This training team also our knowledge with them.”
provided multiple opportuni- The Zoo and Zoo Society hope to
Making enrichment feeding toy for giraffe ties for the local keeper staff to strengthen their relationship with
create and add enrichment items Wild Welfare so that we can continue
focus on improving the staff’s skills in to several animal areas. The keepers to work together to make the world
using operant conditioning techniques also worked together to build sleeping safer and healthier for animals in zoos
and in developing an animal enrich- platforms for some off-exhibit spaces. around the world.
Winter 2020 :: 7
K❆L
The Holidays will be here
before you know it...
As the season approaches, consider celebrating
with gifts available only through the North
Carolina Zoo Society. The proceeds from these
purchases support the Zoo’s important work and deliver
a special invitation for families and friends to get outside
and enjoy nature and the Zoo together.
Purchase any of these products at nczoo.com
Holiday Ado or by calling the Zoo Society during regular
business hours (336-879-7250).
019 pt io
2 n
r
An
Ou
Elk
Each $50 pack-
age arrives with a
on the plush elk, an Adoption
Certificate, and an
Shelf American Elk fact sheet
with a photograph of an
antlered buck. Write a
personal message on your
order form, and we include
it on a note card sent with
the package. A fun way to
give a gift that makes a
( AN EXPERIENCE TO
CHERISH FOREVER )
The Zoo Society offers many programs that
Zoo visit even more
take Zoo lovers behind the scenes to meet
enjoyable.
and feed an animal, watch a training session,
or spend time with a veterinarian, keeper,
{While Supplies Last!}
or curator. Now is the best time to purchase
one of our exclusive VIP tours or to make
an appointment to talk with and learn from a
Zoo staff member. Many programs sell out
quickly. The best way to ensure a place on
any of our tours is to buy your tickets before
the programs fill up.
Visit nczoo.com to explore all of the
options under Extraordinary Experiences
to choose a gift that will linger as
a cherished memory.
8 :: NCZoo.com
A
Send a Kid to Camp Zoo Society
We are currently accepting
applications and early registrations
T Membership U
This gift stays fresh and fun for 12
for our 2020 Veterinary and Wild
months (or even for a lifetime) and can
Animal Science Camps.
give families an incentive, and a place,
Go to nczoo.com and select to come together to enjoy nature and
“camps” under Extraordinary
wildlife. Membership options can
Experiences to choose a
accommodate the needs of singles,
gift that will allow a young
couples, families, and
person to explore his or
her dream of becoming grandparents.
a veterinarian or a Go to nczoo.
com and click on
field biologist.
An “Membership” to
Exclusive, learn more
Limited Edition
Zoo Society
ATree OrnamentB
$24.95
The Society’s limited edition 2019
Christmas Tree ornament depicts one
of the Zoo’s beloved white rhinoceros.
This ornament, like so many of the Society’s
previous decorations, was designed and
handcrafted by North Carolina artist Chris Gabriel.
Winter 2020 :: 9
A THANK YOUS B
Thank yous go out to the very generous donors who provided gifts of $1,000 or more to the Society, July 1 through
September 30, 2019.
Able Carpet Cleaning Davis Furniture Industries, Inc. Christopher Leazer & Heath John & Fowler Ruffin
Alderman Company Jeff & Katie Davis Ramsey Safe-T-Works, Inc
American Premium Beverage Zaven & Brittany Deese Loflin Funeral Home of Liberty Mr. Barry C. Safrit
Amick’s Superstore Ms. Hilda Cameron Dill Ms. Brenda L. Lowe Saint Louis Zoological Park
Amish Trading Post Diversified Trust Company Ms. Dee Lowe Michael & Kristina Seawell
Cheryl & Bob Armstrong Duke Energy Foundation Lowe’s Millwork DC - 973/3174 Mr. Robert A. Sebrosky
Ms. Shantannya A. Artis Durham Academy Lowe’s Statesville Distribution Service Systems Associates
Kimberly & Jeffrey Austin East Coast Trailer & Equipment Center #960 SSA
AVS Catering Co. Inc Lowes Foods, LLC Ms. Ingeborg Shannon
Richard Baek & Tyler Baek Edward Jones - Greensboro Ms. Amber Martin & Mr. Martin Wendy & William Clay Showalter
Kelly Barber-Lester & Tyler Energizer Price Talmadge and Ian Silversides
Lester Environmental Air Systems Martin Marietta Aggregates Mr. & Mrs. C. Hamilton Sloan
Jesse & Amy Barney Enviva Mr. Joseph Mikolajteyk Mr. J. Keith Smith & Ms. Lisa
BB&T Kristine & Robert Evans Abby & Dwight Moffett Jones
Zoaunne & Michael Beaty Everything Hemp Store Ms. Terrie Moffitt & Mr. Arshalum Lisa & Alan Smith
John Becton & Nancy Mr. Samuel J. Frank Caspi Estate of Dr. Marian K Solleder
Tannenbaum Freud America, Inc. Moffitt Engineering Somero Matson Group LLC
Mark Betti Mrs. Eugenie M. Frick Mrs. Julie More-Love & Mr. Southern Industrial Constructors
The Borden Fund, Inc. Friends of the National Zoo Robert Love Southland Electrical Supply
David & Roxanna Bottjen Michael & Rebecca Fulbright Morris Business Solutions Sports Endeavors
Andrew & Jennifer Brooks Ms. Karyl Gabriel Mt. Olive Pickle Company, Inc. Rocky & Margie Springer
The Honorable & Mrs. Harold J. Chris & Ryan Gardner NamParks David & Anna Springob
Brubaker Brian & Patti Gordon Fred Nance Mrs. Johnna Stanley & Ms.
Burlington Animal Hospital Estate of Mary & Russell Graves NC Touchstone Energy Taylor Atwater
C & J Crosspieces, LLC Greensboro Grasshoppers Cooperatives State Employees Combined
Carolina Farmers Mutual Gregory Poole Equipment North Carolina Troopers Campaign
Insurance Company Company Association Ms. Terri Swaney & Mr. Jasper
The Carson Family Foundation, Häfele America Company Mr. & Mrs. Perry E. Nystrom Cheek
Inc. Tracey & Mark Harrelson Mr. Kevin B. Odom Toms Creek Nursery &
Patrick & Stacey Caton Richard & Kyna Harrill Olympic Products, LLC Landscaping
Cherry Bekaert Vern & Esther Hinshaw Dwijesh & Parul Patel Triad Corrugated Metal, Inc.
Chili’s Asheboro Jerry & JoEllen Holder Pepsi Bottling Ventures Truliant Federal Credit Union
Dennis Clements & Martha Ann Honda Aircraft Company Phil Morgan Pottery UNC Otolaryngology/Head &
Keels Honda Power Equipment Platinum Corral, LLC Neck Surgery
Don Clapp & Patience Styne Manufacturing, Inc. Powerhouse Recycling Kent & Cindy Varner
Corning Incorporated IBM Matching Grants Program R.H. Barringer Distributing Mike & Deborah Wallinga
Foundation Sonja & Philip Ivey Company Inc. Monty & Nancy White
Bill & Kendra Cranford Mr. Earl Johnson, Jr. Sam & Missy Rankin Wildlife Conservation Society -
Ms. Nicole Crawford Scott & Mary Jones Mr. & Mrs. Scott Reed New York
Crown Hotel and Travel Estate of Billy Kanoy Mrs. Joan Reid & Mr. John Wink Gaines Photographer
Management, LLC “Monty” Montgomery Charles & Jenny Winston
Ms. Sherry A. Kellett
Scott & Deejie Culbertson Scott & Mary Murkin Bill & Julia Wittenburg
Mr. Samuel Keith & Ms. Angela
Culpeper Wood Preservers Mannino Shannon & Eric Reichard Mrs. Loti Woods & Mr. Dale
William & Sarah Currens Klaussner Home Furnishings Replacements Ltd. Weiler
Cutting Edge Cutlery Kristen & Arthur Klingenmaier David & Tamara Robb Ed & Lee Yahnker
Dallas Zoo Kevin & Renee Kuzma Fred & Linda Robinson Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park
Davidson County Public Library Cherine Rovenstine & Crystal Asheboro
Mrs. Amy L. Leander
System Rovenstine Mr. Jacob Yow
Mr. Drew A. Leander
10 :: NCZoo.comTRAVEL SAFARI
2020 DESTINATIONS
Exploring Australia!
Including the Barossa Valley Wine Region
April 24-May 11 $8,349 per person, double occupancy
(Includes international airfare & shuttle from Asheboro to Charlotte
International)
What a way to see the Land Down Under! Highlights of the trip include
Melbourne, Uluru, Alice Springs, the Great Barrier Reef and so much
more. The Society has coordinated this tour with Collette Travel
Service. Costs cover international and ground travel inside Australia,
23 meals, experienced tour guides and more! Post-extension trip to
Fiji is available!
Bali and the Dragons
July 26-August 10 $5,254 (does not include international airfare)
In cooperation with Ecoquest Travel, the Zoo Society is planning
a rare and extraordinary adventure that will put our guests in the
company of dragons. The Zoo’s Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians,
and Invertebrates, Dustin Smith, is slated as the Zoo host for this
trip, which will begin in Bali and end with a visit inside Indonesia’s
Komodo National Park.
In Bali, visitors will see stunning birds, exotic vegetation, Ebony
Leaf Monkeys, and other wildlife. In Komodo National Park visitors
will visit Flores and Rinca, one of the best islands for seeing wild
Komodo Dragons. This 15-day adventure will also provide oppor-
tunities for snorkeling above a pristine coral reef in these tropical
waters.
2021 DESTINATION
A Class Adventure to Ethiopia: Treasures of Abyssinia
January 11-28, 2021 Land package, cost per person $7,895 double occupancy
Escorted by Dr. David and Mrs. Janet Jones
Ethiopia is unlike any other country in Africa.
Its scenery, its history, and its cultural history
set it apart from the rest of the continent.
After many turbulent years, Ethiopia has
recently emerged as one of Africa’s most
stable countries. While its hotels and roads
still lag a bit behind the offerings found in
more frequently visited African countries,
Ethiopia’s mix of wildlife and diverse cultures make it a place of endless fascination.
We have scheduled this trip to coincide with the Ethiopian Epiphany, a time of celebrated
pageantry.
A remarkable extension into the Omo valley is also available for an additional fee of $3,295
per person. It will be a tribal and cultural ‘feast’ quite unlike anything else one can see on the
Continent.
More details and full itineraries are available for download at nczoo.COM
under “Extraordinary Experiences.”
Winter 2020 :: 11Extraordinary Experiences NEW Programs for Visitors Who Want
to Know More About the Zoo and Its WIldlife
Most ticket prices are tax-deductible as a donation to the North Beginning in 2020, we will offer five ways for curious Zoo
Carolina Zoo. Buy tickets by clicking on Extraordinary Experiences lovers to meet with the Zoo’s professional staff. Visit nczoo.
at nczoo.COM or call the Zoo Society during regular business hours com, “Extraordinary Experiences” to learn more or to sign up.
(336-879-7250). Private tours can be arranged, too, at nczoo.COM All Programs are available March–October 31.Buyers pick the
dates for their encounters. Only one of each of these programs
is available during a given month.
Very Important Patron” Tours* of the Zoo
Two Shadow a Veterinarian options: Each
These Close Encounters Make Magnificent, program is $575 for Society members, $595 for non-members.
Memorable Gifts for Any Occasion Dr. Jb Minter, Director of Animal Health and the Zoo’s Chief
We keep group sizes small, which enhances your experience, but Veterinarian, leads both tours.
causes tours to fill up quickly. Please note that there are age restric- • Shadow a Veterinarian for Two: Available weekends
tions for attending programs; children younger than 15 must be only for two people. Spend 4 hours in the morning making
accompanied by a paying adult. Prices quoted are per person and are rounds with Dr. Minter and then share pizza with him and his
for North Carolina Zoo Society members. Add $15 for non-member staff for lunch. An optional golf cart tour of the Zoo is available
tickets and be aware that prices do not include General Admission to in the afternoon. $575 for Members; $595 for non-members
the Zoo. • Shadow a Veterinarian for a Day: Available week-
days only; limited to one person. A true shadowing experience.
Rare Birds in Training—10 a.m. Spend the day following Dr. Minter as he carries out his normal
Must be at least 10 years old* $94.25
duties as the Zoo’s top veterinarian. Suited for individuals with
March 7 April 25 May 30 Oct. 3
a deep interest in zoo veterinary medicine. Lunch is included.
Bison & Elk Safari—1:30 p.m. Must be 16 or older. $575 for Members; $595 for non-members
Must be at least 8 years old* $104.25
March 28 June 6 Sept. 12
Three Kinds of Lunch and Learn Options:
These programs last an hour to an hour-and-a-half and begin at
Backstage with Chimps: See How They’re Trained—3 p.m. noon. Available on weekdays only. Includes lunch for up to two
Must be at least 12 years old* $104.25 people and the Zoo professional and a brief behind-the-scenes
April 25 June 27 Aug. 22 Oct. 31 experience. Participants must be at least 16 years old.
How to Entertain a Cougar—1:30 p.m. • Lunch and Learn with the Director of Animal
Must be at least 7 years old* $94.25 Health, Dr. Minter. Includes a tour of the Zoo’s veterinary
May 2 June 27 Aug. 29 hospital and Valerie H. Schindler Wildlife Rehabilitation Center.
$350 for Zoo Society members; $375 for non-members.
Behind the Scenes at the Desert & Ocelots—11 a.m.
Must be at least 5 years old* $94.25 • Lunch and Learn with a Zoo Curator. Curator
March 21 May 30 Aug. 15 O ct. 3 choices are: Curator of Birds; Curator of Reptiles, Amphibians,
Fish, and Invertebrates; Curator of Mammals (Elephants &
Meet & Feed the Elephant—1:15 p.m. Rhinos); or Curator of Mammals (Apes & Monkeys, Cats and
Must be at least 12 years old* $104.25 Bears). Learn how these professionals oversee the well-being
March 21 April 25 May 23 June 20 July 25 Sept. 19 Oct. 17 of the Zoo’s animals. $325 for Zoo Society Members, $350 for
non-members.
Meet & Feed the Giraffes — 5:30 p.m.
Must be at least 6 years old* $104.25 • Lunch and Learn with an Animal Care Taker.
April 4 May 2 Aug. 29 Oct. 31 Learn the ins-and-outs of zoo keeping in a top-tier zoo. Care-
taker choices are: •Birds & the Aviary; •Cougars, Alligators
Meet & Feed the Gorillas — 1:15 p.m. and the Swamp; •Otters & Streamside; •Polar Bears & Seals;
Must be at least 8 years old* & 5 feet tall $104.25 •Grizzly & Black Bears & Wolves; •Ocelots & the Desert; •Zebra,
March 28 June 6 July 18 Sept. 26 Oct. 31 Ostrich & Giraffe; •Lions & Chimps; •Elephants, or •Antelope &
Get Close to a Grizzly Bear—1:30 p.m. Rhinos. $300 for Zoo Society members; $325 for non-members.
Not ADA accessible Must be at least 10 years old* $104.25
March 7 May 2 Aug. 15
Send a Kid to Camp
Lion Encounter: See How They’re Trained—3 p.m. The Zoo and Zoo Society offer extraordinary camping experi-
Must be at least 12 years old* $104.95 ences for young people who want to explore careers dedicated
May 23 July 25 Sept. 19 to helping wild animals. Visit nczoo.COM to learn more about
veterinary camps for rising 7th graders to college freshmen
Meet & Feed the Otters—11 a.m. and wild animal science camps for rising 6th graders to college
Must be at least 5 years old* $104.25 freshmen.
March 14 May 30 July 25 Aug. 15 Sept. 26 Oct. 17
Meet & Feed the Puffins—1:30 p.m. 2020 Camp dates
Not ADA accessible Junior Veterinary Senior Veterinary
Must be at least 5 years old* $94.25 7th - 9th graders 10th - college freshman
March 14 July 25 Aug. 22 Sept. 26 May 16, Aug. 8 June 12-14, July 10-12
Schooling Seals & Polar Bears—1:30 p.m. Wild Animal Science Camp
Not ADA accessible Junior Camps Senior Camp
Must be at least 12 years old* $94.25 6th-8th graders 9th-college freshmen
May 9 June 27 July 18 Aug. 1 Aug. 29 June 20-21, Sept.19-20 June 27-28
12 :: NCZoo.comMore than a million smiles…
That’s what your year-end gift will help bring to the North
Carolina Zoo next year. The Zoo will use your donation to help fund its most important priorities in 2020—priorities
that will add more fun, more animals, and more learning opportunities to every Zoo visit.
Throughout 2020, the Zoo will rely on your gift to help step up its plans to bring Tigers, Komodo Dragons, and other
Asian animals into the Park. And, while this major expansion marches forward, your support will help ensure that the
Zoo is prepared to keep its animals healthy and happy and you (and its other visitors) engaged and happy, too.
The Zoo will rely on your gift, and gifts from other
people like you, to keep its promises to take care
of its wildlife, protect endangered species, and
provide fun and learning to all its visitors.
Thank you,
Cheryl Armstrong
Please donate by going to nczoo.COM and clicking on the More Than A
Million Smiles note on the Zoo Society’s home page. Thank you
Winter 2020 :: 13Blase Chiropractic
Burge Flower Shop
Charlie’s Heating & Cooling
Clothes Wearhouse
JB & Claire Davis
East Coast Lumber/ Industrial Wood
Products
Fidelity Bank
The NC Zoo Society would like to thank our Signature Sponsor Randolph Communications, as Richard & Susan Garkalns
well as our other Zoo To Do sponsors, donors, volunteers, and guests for making Zoo To Do Pam Hill, Randolph County Clerk of
Court
2019: Asian Wilds such a success.
Insurance Associates of the Triad
Ticket sales, sponsorships, donations, and the event’s live and silent auctions brought It’s Leather, Inc.
$186,400 into the Zoo Society’s coffers. Proceeds from this signature event will be invested in Ivey & Eggleston, Attorney at Law
building a bigger, brighter future for the North Carolina Zoo. Jordan Heating & Air Conditioning
Funds will help expand the size and the nature of the Zoo. First, by bringing Asian species— Mr. Elbert Lassiter
Tigers, Komodo Dragons, Red Pandas—into future spacious, natural habitats. Later, wildlife Eric & Christie Luckenbach
from other continents will follow, filling out natural habitats of their own until an entire world of McKenzie Properties
wonder awaits inside the Park. Mechanical Maintenance
Thank you, again, to all the donors and visionaries who share the Zoo’s commitment to Walker & Joanne Moffitt
protecting the future of wildlife by promoting education, conserving wild places and wildlife, Dan & Connie Mull
and advancing animal well-being. Randolph Electric Membership
Corporation
RE/MAX Central Realty/H.R. & Vickie
Signature Sponsor: Gallimore
The Timken Company – Asheboro Plant
Randolph Communications Triad Corrugated Metal
Riazzi Rhyne & Swaim Investment
Group of Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC
Turlington & Company, LLP
$5,000 Ridge Funeral Home
Ann Onymous $1,000 Select Bank & Trust
Shuford Federal Credit Union
NC Zoo Society Board of Directors Advisors Financial Center – Chris Griffin and
Neal Griffin Live Auction
RRD – Greensboro Asheboro Restoration Services, LLC
CLR Design
$2,500 AVS Catering & Banquet Centre
Cutting Edge Cutlery
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Burkart
Rodgers Builders Wink Gaines Photographer
CLH design, p.a.
Technimark, LLC CLR Design
Robyn Goode
Wells Fargo Gordon Woodworking – Brian Gordon
Duke Energy
Klaussner Home Furnishings
$1,500 Ennis Flint
Eck McCanless Pottery
Four Saints Brewing Company
BB&T Terrance Meadows
Heart of North Carolina Visitor’s Bureau
C&J Crosspieces Phil Morgan Pottery
Bill & Ann Hoover
Clapps Convalescent Nursing Home, Inc. NC Zoo African Plains Keepers
Danny & Wendy Mull
First Bank NC Zoo Aviary Keepers
NeoNova/NRTC/Telispire
HH Architecture NC Zoo Curator’s Office
Mr. Sherrill Shaw
Klaussner Home Furnishings NC Zoo Education Division
Sir Pizza of Asheboro
McDowell Lumber Company NC Zoo Elephant Keepers
StarPet, Inc.
Terrie Moffitt NC Zoo Giraffe Keepers
Thomas Tire & Automotive
NC EMC NC Zoo Prairie Keepers
Edward Wenda, DDS PA
Oliver Rubber NC Zoo Rocky Coast Keepers
PEMMCO Manufacturing $500 NC Zoo Society
Pinnacle Acme-McCrary and Sapona Foundation Patchwork Possibilities – Dr. Scott
Murkin
Pugh Funeral Home Asheboro Fire & Security
Seagrove Stoneware – David
Rheem Heating & Cooling Bell & Browne, P.A. Fernandez
::
14 NCZoo.comSSA Catering Golden Corral Cagle Road Pottery
STARworks NC Honda Cycle Center Nikki Cherry
Donna Howard Chrisco’s Pottery
Special Thanks Bill & Ann Hoover CLR Design
American Premium Beverage Hops Burger Bar M.J. Collier - Long
Lori Lanier Photography Jimmy John’s Andy Crofoot
Jimmy Leonard III Carol Kaczmarek Martha Crotty
Jimmy Johns Kaleideum Dish’n
Lowes Home Improvement of Lexington BBQ Center Egg-Ceptional Gifts
Asheboro Lowes Home Improvement Four Paw Pottery
Pepsi Bottling Ventures Magnolia 23 Beverly Fox
PIP Printing Mambos Grill & Tapas Freeman Pottery
R.H. Barringer Distributing Co. Marbles Kids Museum Robyn Goode
Lane Ragsdale NC Zoo Education Division Hardin’s Furniture
DJ Tommy “Rock” Nella Boutique Hickory Hill Pottery
Jackson Rogers Nutrition Xtreme Dean & Anna Hinson
Tanya Rivera Ann O’Briant Donna Howard
Tarheel Generator Olive Garden John Ireland Photography
Becky Tarlton Omega Sports Charlie & Diane Kernodle
United Country – Rogers Outback Steakhouse Carl King Art
Auctioneers, Inc.
P.F. Chang’s – China Bistro Latham’s Pottery
Bill Walden Sound Systems,
LLC Pinewood Country Club Luck’s Ware
Kim Price Bill Lunsford
$1,000 Quaintance – Weaver Tara McGee Pottery
Cash Giveaway Restaurants & Hotels McNeill’s Pottery
R.H. Barringer Distributing Co.
Sponsor Debbie Mounts
Randolph-Asheboro YMCA Pam Myers
Superior Mechanical Rheem Heating & Cooling Fred Nance
Incorporated Richland Creek Zip Line NC Zoo Education Division
Food, Fun & River Wild Lake Tillery NC Zoo Grizzly Bear Keepers
Entertainment Sherwin Williams Nichols Pottery
Brooke Sides Trudi Norris Studios
2 Moms & A Monogram –
Baseline Screen Printing Smithfield’s Barbecue O’Quinn Pottery
AAA Carolinas Spillman’s Christmas Tree Emmette S. Patterson
Farm Judy Payne-Bryant
Angus Barn
Sports Attic Polaris Art Studio
Battleground Restaurants
Sticks & Stones Clay Oven R.H. Barringer Distributing Co.
Biltmore Estate Pizza
Black Lady Sews Rockhouse Pottery
Texas Roadhouse
Blue Ribbon Pony Farm Joseph Sand Pottery
Toys & Co.
Brightside Gallery SheffiBilt, Inc.
Tweetsie
Cakes by Cindy Barry Stebbing
Zoo City Pharmacy
Carolina Hurricanes Thomas Pottery
Carolina Panthers Art & Décor Casey Thornburg
The Cheesecake Factory & Pottery Danny Townsend
Chick-fil-A Triple C Pottery
Valerie Abbott
Cotopaxi Farm – Jeff Davis Turn & Burn Pottery
Amish Trading Post
David Crissman Kari Vuncannon
Anonymous
Tommy Davis Family Uwharrie Crystalline
Art from the Heart
Design House Salon Vintage Cottage
Bear Creek Photography NC,
Duplin Winery LLC Westmoore Pottery
Fish Bones Jeff Brown & Michèle Hastings Curry Wilkinson Pottery
G&G Automotive Enterprises Pottery Williams Pottery
Margaret Giles
Winter 2020 :: 15NON-PROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE
PA I D
HICKORY, NC
PERMIT #104
4403 Zoo Parkway CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
Asheboro, NC 27205
www.nczoo.com
Bundle Up to Enjoy a Four Stars—
New, Daytime Event at Five Years and Counting
the Zoo this December In October, The North Carolina Zoo Society received
its fifth consecutive 4-star Rating from Charity Nav-
igator, the non-profit watchdog that conducts yearly
assessments of more than 1.5 million charities
operating in the United States. A 4-star Rating is the
highest rating awarded by Charity Navigator and is
reserved for non-profits that adhere to the non-profit
sector’s best practices.
According to the award letter the Zoo Society
received from Michael Thatcher, Charity Navigator’s
President and CEO, “Only 13 percent of the charities
we evaluate have received at least 5 consecutive
4-star evaluations, indicating that the North Carolina
Zoological Society outperforms most other charities
EVENT DATES: December 14, 15, 20, and 21 in America. This exceptional designation from Char-
EVENT TIMES: Noon until 4 p.m. free carousel ity Navigator sets North Carolina Zoological Society
rides, cookies and crafts. apart from its peers and demonstrates to the public
Photo ops with Santa 1-4 p.m. its trustworthiness.”
COST: Advance “Believe” tickets can be found at The North Carolina Zoological Society is honored
nczoo.ORG and cost $10 per person. Tickets to be able to continue to display the Charity Naviga-
are $15 on the day of the event. tor logo on its publications and website.You can also read
