Originally opened at the Bronx Zoo in 1941, the

Children’s Zoo is a histor-ic part of the Bronx Zoo.

A visit to this special area is an experience many WCS Members remember from their childhoods, and rep-resents many people’s

fi rst up-close encoun-ter with animals. The

newly-reopened and ren-ovated Children’s Zoo maintains the nostalgic appeal of the past while creating new experiences and introducing a variety of different species.

New Animals and Familiar FavoritesSome of the new species you’ll encounter in the Chil-dren’s Zoo include a giant anteater, Linne’s two-toed sloth, South American coatimundi, and the world’s smallest deer: the pudu. Wildlife favorites returning to the Children’s Zoo include American alligators, black-tailed prairie dogs, and South American squir-rel monkeys (which now live on an island habitat sur-rounded by wading Caribbean fl amingoes and other waterfowl).

Many improvements have been made to the exhi-bits, but familiar favorite features have been retained including the walk-through trail, aviary, spider’s web,

prairie dog tunnels, bird nests, turtle shells, and tree house slide that have be-come a source of fond memories for many. WCS worked with artist Brendan Wenzel on new, whimsical signs that identify species, pro-vide key facts about the animals, and educate visitors about the species’ conservation needs in the wild.

Canon U.S.A. generously sponsored the transforma-tion of the Children’s Zoo, including the enhanced exhibits, colorful graphics, play experiences, and Ad-venture Club tours.

The Children’s Zoo is open through November 1st, and ad-mission is free for Members at the Premium level and above. For more information about the Children’s Zoo, please visit www.bronxzoo.com.

Members’ NewsThe Official WCS Members’ Newsletter Sep/Oct 2015

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The Children’s Zoo: Back and Better Than Ever

trail, aviary, spider’s web,

prairie dog tunnels, bird nests, turtle shells, and tree house slide that have be-come a source of fond memories for many. WCS worked with artist Brendan Wenzel on new, whimsical signs that identify species, pro-vide key facts about the animals, and educate visitors

The Children’s Zoo:

Better Than Ever

A giant anteater, native to Central and South America, is one of the Children’s Zoo’s most distinctive new residents.

Visitors can observe the behavior of South American squirrel monkeys and their young in a new island habitat.

With two claws on its front feet and three on the back, Linne’s two-toed sloth is perfectly designed for an arboreal life in South America’s rain forests.

Children’s Zoo Adventure Club presented by CanonTour the newly remodeled Children’s Zoo at the Bronx Zoo with our Quest leaders. On this guided hike, kids wear backpacks and learn to use binoculars and other tools to discover nature. 11am-3pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through November 1st.

Share your adventures on social media with #ZooQuests. Visit BronxZoo.com/Quests and CentralParkZoo.com/Quests to learn more.

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Activity Trail presented by Empire BlueCross BlueShieldFrom land to sea, animals move in different ways. Starting at the Bronx Zoo’s Dancing Crane Plaza, follow the trail to learn about animal movement. You’ll balance like a fl amingo, run like an ostrich, crawl like a crocodile, and more, all while learn-ing about human and animal health. 11am-3pm on Wednesdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through November 1st.

Proud Sponsors

Interactive Zoo QuestsNew Programs at Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo

Join us through November 1st for Bronx Zoo Quests and Central Park Zoo Quests, a new series of family activities guided by friendly and engaging staff. Look for Quest educators in

orange shirts to begin your adventure! You’ll learn about amazing animals, the importance of conservation, and ways to enjoy the outdoors. Thanks to Canon, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, JetBlue, and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital for sponsoring these interactive programs.

Flight! presented by JetBlueAt the Bronx Zoo’s newly-renovated World of Birds exhibit, embark on an avian census. See if you can spot the full array of colorful species. Can you identify the African bee eater? Will you be able to pick a superb starling out of a lineup? Take part in the Flight! quest to fi nd out. 11am-3pm. Daily through September 7th. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through November 1st.

Central Park Zoo Quests presented by NewYork-Presbyterian HospitalJoin us for a scavenger hunt around Central Park Zoo and fi nd your favorite animals. Stop by the Grizzly Station for a bear quest, or the Tropic Station to study birds with Professor Flight. Make sure to collect your stamps along the way! 10am-4pm. Wednesdays-Sundays plus Labor Day through September 7th. Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays through November 1st.

On your next visit to the Bronx Zoo, be sure to stop by the Aquatic Bird House, where you’ll encounter a colony of little

penguins. Also known as blue penguins, little blue penguins, or fairy penguins, the full-grown adult birds are only about 13 inches tall and weigh two to three pounds. They are the smallest of the 18 penguin species and native to coastal southern Australia and New Zealand.

A Bronx Zoo FirstThese are the fi rst little penguins to be on exhibit at the Bronx Zoo. The birds were hatched at the Taronga Zoo in Australia, and brought to the Bronx Zoo as part of a breeding pro-gram. International partnerships and breeding programs are vital to ensur-ing the survival of this species in the wild through education, awareness, and connecting people to nature in a way that can only be accomplished through personal encounters.

Little Penguins in the WildIn the wild, little penguins live in temperate marine waters and feed on fi sh, cephalopods, and crustaceans. They nest colonially in bur-rows on sand dunes or rocky beach areas. Like other penguin spe-cies, they use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with each other. Their populations are threatened by climate change and human activities.

WCS is supporting Taronga Zoo’s little penguin conservation programs in Sydney Harbor, where man-made nest boxes pro-

vide safety from in-troduced predators and guard dogs are used to discourage predation. The work also includes monitor-ing, awareness cam-paigns, rescue and re-habilitation, breeding programs, and more.

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Meet the Little Penguins

A TASTING OF SUSTAINABLE

WINE AND FOOD TO BENEFIT THE

NEW YORK AQUARIUM

THE WILDLIFE CONSERVATION SOCIETY PRESENTS

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 20156:30 – 9:30 P.M.

6:30 P.M. | GRAND TASTER ADMISSION

7:30 P.M. | GENERAL ADMISSION

CENTRAL PARK ZOOFIFTH AVENUE AT 64TH STREETNEW YORK CITY

TICKETS START AT $200

TO PURCHASE TICKETS PLEASE VISIT

WWW.WCS.ORG/SIPFORTHESEA

21 AND OVER ONLY | FESTIVE ATTIRE

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL

718.741.1617 OR EMAIL

SIPFORTHESEA@WCS.ORG

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Mornings at the ZooSpecial Events for Conservation-Level Members

Pre-registration required!Please visit bronxzoo.com/morningsatthezoo to reserve your spot.

Not a Conservation-Level Member?Mornings at the Zoo events are open only to Members at the Conser-vation Supporter level and above. If you are not a Con-servation-level Member and would like to attend, you can join, renew, or upgrade your Membership today by call-ing 718-220-5112, Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm. Conservation-level Membership starts at the $295 Conservation Supporter Level.

Breakfast with the Birds Join us for a morning that’s truly for the

birds! We’ll enjoy breakfast inside the Bronx Zoo’s World of Birds, with a tour of the newly-reopened and enhanced sec-ond fl oor exhibits. The zoo’s Ornithology Department staff will be on-hand to dis-cuss the zoo’s amazing avian residents, and

Members will observe feedings and behav-ioral enrichment activities. It’s a great event

for bird lovers of all ages.Meet at World of Birds. Please note that Bronx River Parking Lot (Lot B) and

Asia Pedestrian Gate ONLY will be open at 8:30am for this event; Southern Boulevard Parking Lot will NOT be open. Light refreshments served. The event will last approximately 60 minutes; the zoo opens to the public at 10am. This event will take place rain or shine.

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to reserve your spot.

through Friday, 9am-5pm. Conservation-level Membership starts at the $295 Conservation Supporter Level.

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Sunday, September 13th at 9am at the Bronx Zoo

Birds, clockwise from top left: tarictic hornbill, Cuban Amazon parrot, white-crested hornbill, toucan, lesser bird of paradise (with keeper Patti Cooper), Nicobar pigeon

Baby Pudu Born at Queens ZooA southern pudu fawn, a member of the world’s

smallest deer species, was born earlier this year at the Queens Zoo. The fawn recently transitioned from nursing to a diet of fresh leaves, grain, kale, carrots, and hay. The white spots, characteristic to juveniles of many deer species, will fade and disap-pear as the fawn gets older. The arrival of the fawn brings the total number of pudu on exhibit at the Queens Zoo to three. This is the third year in a row this pudu’s parents have successfully raised a fawn. You can come face-to-face with a pudu during your next visit to Queens Zoo or to the Bronx Zoo’s Childrens’ Zoo.

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WCS

Exhibit in Progress: Ocean Wonders: Sharks!In July, WCS celebrated a milestone in the on-

going creation of the New York Aquarium’s Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit, as the United States flag was raised on the newly-constructed top floor of the building. When the building opens in 2017, visitors on the top floor will see far across the Atlantic Ocean and up and down the Coney Island Boardwalk.

“Ocean Wonders: Sharks! will be a conserva-tion, education, and economic engine for Coney Island, and all of New York City,” said Jon For-rest Dohlin, WCS Vice President and Director of the New York Aquarium.

The 57,500-square-foot Ocean Wonders: Sharks! exhibit will hold more than 500,000 gallons of water and will feature sharks, rays, sea turtles, and thousands of schooling fish, highlighting the wonders of oceans across the globe and off the coast of New York. The exhibit will emphasize the importance of protecting the ocean ecosystems that surround New York and the charismatic marine species that are found in local waters. To learn more, please visit nyaquarium.com.

Get to Know a Species: PuduPudu exhibit extraordinary behaviors. They bark when they sense danger and, when chased, they run in a zig-zag pattern to escape predators including owls, foxes, pumas, and small cats. Although small in stature, only 12 to 14 inches at the shoulder, pudu are excellent jumpers and sprinters. They are generally shy and solitary, preferring to hide in thick vegetation. Southern pudu are native to Chile and Argentina and are designated as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Using research and conservation practices, WCS is working in the pudu’s range countries to grapple with ways to curb habitat loss and other threats to pudu and other native wildlife. To learn more about WCS’s efforts to protect pudu and other animals in Chile and Argentina, please visit wcs.org.

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FAMILY, YOUTH, AND ADULT PROGRAMSPlease note that ALL WCS Education Programs require pre-registration and payment. Contact us to reserve your spot as soon as possible.Family and Youth Programs: wcs.org/programs Tours and School Programs: wcs.org/schoolsBirthday Parties: wcs.org/birthdayVolunteer Opportunities: wcs.org/volunteerEducators: wcs.org/teacherpd

Members receive discounts on most programs!FAMILY PROGRAMSVisit www.wcs.org/programs for more informa-tion, and to register for all WCS Family pro-grams below!

Caregiver and Me Class Series ProgramsDesigned to engage our budding animal lovers in a variety of activities. All programs include live ani-mal encounters, movement activities, crafts, exhibit visits, and storytelling. Space is extremely limited, so inquire today!Little Hatchlings for 10 month-23 month olds at CPZ, PPZ, & QZ. Zoo Play Toddlers for 2-3 year olds at BZ, CPZ, PPZ, & QZ. Zoo Play Kinders for 4-5 year olds at BZ, CPZ, PPZ & QZ

Family Overnights at Bronx Zoo and Queens ZooJoin us for a unique overnight experience at the zoo! You and your family will be treated to fun-fi lled activities throughout the evening and fol-lowing morning and will meet some of our animals up-close. Bring your own tent, sleeping bags, and picnic dinner. Beverages, dessert, late-night snack, and breakfast will be provided. No need for alarm clocks, our vocal sea lions will provide the wake-up call. Queens Zoo: September 19-20. Bronx Zoo: September 12-13 or September 26-27.

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Now all at ONE number!1-800-433-4149Bronx Zoo (BZ): bzeducation@wcs.orgCentral Park Zoo (CPZ): cpzregistration@wcs.orgProspect Park Zoo (PPZ): ppzeducation@wcs.orgQueens Zoo (QZ): qzeducation@wcs.orgNew York Aquarium (NYAQ): 718-265-3457 nyaregistrar@wcs.orgProfessional Development: 718-220-5136 teacherinfo@wcs.org

Breakfast with the Sea Otters at the New York AquariumCelebrate Sea Otter Awareness Day with the New York Aquarium Otters! Have breakfast by the otter exhibit (bagels, coffee, juice), make

otter enrichment items, and meet a keeper to learn more about what it takes to keep our otters enriched and healthy. Sat-urday, September 26th, 8:30-10:00am Ages 4-9, with adult.

Breakfast with the Baboons at Prospect Park ZooBring the whole family to breakfast at the zoo alongside our troop of baboons. Watch these playful crit-ters get a spe-cial breakfast, too. Learn about what animals eat, take a tour of the animal kitchen, and meet a special animal up-close. Sunday, October 4, 8:30-10:30am. Ages 4 and older, with an adult.

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FAMILY, YOUTH, AND ADULT PROGRAMSYOUTH PROGRAMSPenguin Explorers at the New York AquariumLearn about pen-guins and the special adaptations they need to survive in their environments. An instructor will lead the class in hands-on activities to fi nd out all there is to know about penguins, make enrichment items for them, and then chat with a keeper about their care. October 4th 1:30-3:00pm. Ages 7-10.

Little Zoo Vets Afterschool Program at Central Park ZooIn this afterschool class, students will learn about the different aspects of zoo veterinary medicine taught by WCS veterinarian Dr. John Sykes. Classes will involve real veterinary medicine equipment and supplies. Topics will include: physical exams, anes-thesia, darting, digestion, blood tests, x-rays, etc. Parents are welcome to observe the classes or drop-off. Thursdays, September 24, October 1, 8, 15, 22, and 29. Ages 8-12.

Free Teacher Webinar & Student Webcast SeriesAttention K-12 Teachers: learn real-world science with help from WCS experts. Receive training to introduce core science concepts to your students. Connect your students with scientists through interactive, TV-style webcast programs. Monthly webinars and webcasts will run from September 2015 through May 2016. Read more about each series on the WCS Teacher Professional Development webpage, wcs.org/teacherpd, or call 718-220-5136. Webinars eligible for PD certifi cate.

Halloween Programs at the WCS ParksPrincesses, Monsters, and Pirates at the Central Park Zoo and New York AquariumCPZ: Sunday, October 18 OR Satur-day, October 31, 10:00-11:30am. Ages 3-7, with an adult.

NYA: Sunday, October 18, 10:00-11:30am. Ages 3-7, with an adult

Spooky Zoo Pumpkin Carving at Prospect Park ZooSaturday, October 24, 1:00-3:00pm. Ages 5 and older, with an adult.

Halloween Pajama Time at Queens ZooFriday, October 30, 6:00-8:00pm. Ages 3 and older, with an adult.

NEW! Join WCS staf f at the annual Beach Clean-up in Kaiser Park in Brooklyn on September 19th. Do your par t to keep our oceans healthy for our aquat-ic neighbors. Sign up on the New York Aquarium website : www.nyaquarium.com/events.

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Members’ News Wildlife Conservation Society2300 Southern BoulevardBronx, NY 10460www.wcs.org

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MEMBERS’ NEWS STAFF:Editor/Writer: Tal AviezerPhotographer: Julie Larsen Maher unless otherwise notedDesigner: Dot PayneThanks to Megan Malaska, Max Pulsinelli, Barbara Russo, Kathryn Thompson, and Karen Tingley

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Sep/Oct 2015

what’s inside1 The Children’s Zoo: Back

and Better Than Ever

2 #ZooQuests at Bronx Zoo and Central Park Zoo

3 New at Bronx Zoo: Little Penguins

4 Mornings at the Zoo

5 Exhibit in Progress: Ocean Wonders: Sharks!

Baby Pudu Born at Queens Zoo

6 Family, Youth, and Adult Programs

Members’ News

Boo at the Zoo returns to WCS parks this fall. Visit bronxzoo.com for full details on the wildlife Halloween fun!

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