We are proud to announce that Kelsey Weber is officially a registered architect and member of the American Institute of Architects. Kelsey, who joined CLR’s team in 2016, is also a LEED Green Associate and has been actively involved with projects at CLR from conceptual development all the way through to construction. She enjoys working with her fellow CLR team members to create and test ideas that promote animal activity and inspire zoo visitors. Kelsey draws from her studio art background at every phase of a project from visualizing schematic concepts, to working out construction details. You can learn more about Kelsey on her “people page.”
Field Research in Africa
CLR’s principals have traveled extensively to observe wild animals in their native habitats, often in the company of zoo leaders. Gary Lee, a keen observer of both animals and people, routinely creates illustrated journal keepsakes of these voyages, such as the example shown here from his 2000 safari in Botswana.
Omaha Zoo Grows Critically Endangered Frogs
Reposted from the Zoo’s website, July 23, 2019 | Archived Version
Earlier this month, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was part of the fourth and most successful release of zoo-bred dusky gopher frogs to date. In collaboration with the Memphis Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Dallas Zoo and Como Park Zoo and Conservatory, the Zoo released 622 froglets of the critically endangered species into restored habitat in Mississippi on July 10 – 11. Of those released, 387 were bred in Omaha.
The release is part of an ongoing, large-scale effort to establish a new self-sustaining population of dusky gopher frogs. At one point, only about 75 adult dusky gopher frogs remained in the wild. Following this year’s release, 821 frogs can be found in the Mississippi habitat.
A recent study conducted by Dr. Betsy Roznik, a post-doctoral research fellow at the Memphis Zoo, shows, for each release since the onset of the program in 2017, about 75 percent of the froglets survived their first month of habitation and expressed natural behaviors. The froglets are tracked with the help of VI Alpha Tags, small fluorescent tags designed with an alphanumeric identification code, that are inserted into the froglets’ thighs.
The released froglets were produced through an in-vitro fertilization procedure and the collaborative efforts between the Zoo’s Amphibian Conservation Area and Reproductive Sciences Department, the Memphis Zoo and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). The procedure is a 15-day process that spans four weeks and uses 62 adult frogs.
Dusky gopher frogs, also referred to as Mississippi gopher frogs, were identified as an endangered species in 2001 and are currently listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has been working with the frogs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Dusky Gopher Frog Species Survival Plan (SSP) since 2004. This is the fourth amphibian species to be released to its natural habitat from the Zoo’s Amphibian Conservation Area since its inception in 2007.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium’s Amphibian Conservation Area was developed in 2007 as an ambitious project to continue to enhance the Zoo’s commitment to helping with the Global Amphibian Extinction Crisis. What began with two species and two isolation rooms has evolved into more than 20 species of endangered amphibians in a high quarantine area. This 4,200 square-foot off-exhibit space consists of 13 individual rooms, each with its own heating and cooling unit, as well as the capability to produce feeder insects in-house. Of the 17 endangered species in the Amphibian Conservation Area, four have been returned to the wild with 58,125 individual specimens represented.
Maryland Zoo Reveals Elephant, Giraffe, Lion Home Makeover
Excerpted from an original article by Elizabeth Janney, Patch Staff, June 21, 2019 | Archived Version
A herd of dignitaries and zoo personnel celebrated the completion of The Maryland Zoo’s largest renovation project in history. The lieutenant governor and Baltimore mayor were among those helping to cut the ribbon on the new elephant, giraffe and lion habitats that were part of a $20 million project to improve the African Journey section of the zoo.
Here is a recap of the updates in the areas housing each of these animals.
Size Of Elephant Habitat Nearly Tripled
There is an enrichment zone now for the elephants, where they can wallow in the mud, bathe or dust.
The elephant habitat totals more than 91,000 square feet now: The outdoor habitat grew from 30,000 to 77,330 square feet. Indoor holding space expanded from 9,900 to 14,300 square feet.
Giraffe Passageway Installed
The giraffe area also grew, going from 23,900 to 36,200 square feet, according to The Maryland Zoo.
Renovations in the giraffe area called for re-grading so the yard was level throughout rather than sloping. Officials said the change was made for animal health and safety reasons.
There’s also a viewing wall that allows visitors to watch the giraffe as they move around.
In addition, a newly installed trail leads from the Giraffe House to the Upper Savanna part of the elephant habitat, according to zoo officials.
“This will not only give the giraffe additional room to roam, but to eventually share the Upper Savanna with elephants as they would in the wild,” President/CEO of The Maryland Zoo Don Hutchinson said in a statement.
Lion Habitat Opens Up
The lion habitat, parts of which opened earlier in the spring, now has a more fluid feel. Stainless steel mesh and glass replaced poles to create a barrier along the African Overlook path, a newly created walkway for visitors, with lions on one side and giraffe on the other.
There’s also a raised area in the center where lions can lounge.
Visitors can watch lions in the midst of positive reinforcement training sessions via a window that was made possible by the Committee for Kamenetz and Jill Kamenetz in honor of her children, Karson and Dylan Kamenetz.
PSU Summer Camp
On July 25, 2019, CLR Senior Associate Jeff Sawyer hosted students from the Penn State Architecture and Landscape Architecture Design Experience Camp (DXC). Now in its third year, the DXC provides an active, engaging environment in which young designers in the Philadelphia area can explore key concepts, technologies, and practices through hands-on learning experiences related to the professional fields of architecture, landscape architecture, and graphic design. Jeff discussed with the students the evolution of zoo design, its diverse and unique challenges, and demonstrated specific design solutions and materials. CLR is proud to support and assist the designers of tomorrow.
Zoo Knoxville celebrates World Tiger Day
Reposted from WBIR, by WBIR Staff, July 29, 2019 | Archived Version
Zoo Knoxville celebrated World Tiger Day with its Malayan tigers Arya, Bashir and Tanvir.
The zoo hosted several activities with their tigers, including pole climbing and throwing a tasty watermelon into their pool.
Zookeepers with the Asian Trek exhibit said activities like these help simulate the hunting tigers would do in the wild.
“It’s extremely important that we treat them like their wild counterpart. We make sure their diet is clean and nutritious but we give them enrichment every day multiple times a day,” zookeeper Sydney McCartt said.
The zoo said activities like these are also great for guests because they get to see the sometimes-elusive animals. Tigers actually sleep 18 to 20 hours every day.
A portion of ticket sales Monday went to conservation efforts.
Guests also learned about the impact palm oil production has on endangered tiger species and their habitats.
According to the World Wildlife Foundation, critically endangered species like the Sumatran Tiger are holding on for survival as palm oil and pulp plantations caused deforestation of more than half Sumatra’s forests in the last 40 years. According to the WWF, Indonesia’s tigers now number fewer than 400.
Likewise, Malayan tiger species are also critically endangered due to poaching and deforestation.