CONTACT: Jennifer Diliberti
DATE: December 15, 2006
PHONE: 414.256.5411
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW AFRICAN ELEPHANT NOW ON EXHIBIT

AT THE MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

Milwaukee, WI --The Milwaukee County Zoo is welcoming a female African elephantto its collection.

Ruth, who is approximately 28-years-old, arrived from the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville, Texas, yesterday, and will now be on public exhibit beginning this afternoon. The zoo now hopes to introduce Ruth to Brittany, also an African elephant, and the zoo’s resident who lost her companion, Lucy, in early September.

“Our newest pachyderm member, Ruth, shows our commitment to the elephant program, and to our animal collection as a whole,” says Zoo Director Charles Wikenhauser. “The animal staff should be commended for their diligent efforts in finding a suitable companion for Brittany, and this will only serve to enhance the overall zoo experience for visitors.”

Ruth arrived at the zoo in a truck specially designed to transport large pachyderms, and zookeepers stocked the truck with hay, feed and her favorite treats for the road trip. Milwaukee County Zoo keepers will now work to introduce the two elephants to each other gradually.

The zoo was able to transport Ruth to her new home with the generous help of Saturn of Southeast Wisconsin. “Saturn of Southeast Wisconsin is excited for the opportunity to bring Ruth to her new home in Milwaukee,” says Richard Parkhurst, manager of marketing and training for Saturn. “The Milwaukee County Zoo has been a staple in our community for decades. This donation complements Saturn’s mission of fostering conservation, while giving back to the thousands of visitors who enjoy this world class facility.”

The entire Zoo staff is excited and optimistic about the arrival of Ruth, and the future pairing of the two elephants. Elephants, by nature, are social animals, and for both their health and well-being, most should be kept with other elephants. This will be a very positive situation for both Ruth and Brittany.

The Milwaukee County Zoo environment will allow Ruth to not only interact with Brittany, but also with zookeepers in an active training setting.

For more information, please contact the Zoo Public Affairs and Services Division at 414.256.5411.

 

CONTACT: Jennifer Diliberti
DATE: October 18, 2006
PHONE: 414.256.5411
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MILWAUKEE COUNTY ZOO

RECEIVES TOP NATIONAL AWARD

Milwaukee, WI – During the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) national conference in September, the Milwaukee County Zoo received top honors for the Edward H. Bean Award for “its long-term propagation and management program for the bonobo, one of the most endangered and least studied great ape species in the world.” Zoo officials accepted the award in front of more than 1,500 of their professional colleagues at AZA’s 82 nd annual conference in Tampa.

“We’re extremely honored and humbled to be recognized by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for its highest conservation award, “ says Zoo Director, Charles Wikenhauser. “It’s truly a reflection of the efforts of our extraordinary animal staff, and the continuing partnership between the Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee that has resulted in a thriving bonobo troop – the largest in North America – and important conservation initiatives for the few remaining bonobos in the wild.”

Since 1992, when the zoo’s Apes of Africa complex was completed, a trusting bond has been established between the zookeepers and the bonobos by using voluntary, positive reinforcement behavioral training. In this secure environment, seven bonobos have been born at the zoo over the past seven years, and all of the offspring are being raised within the troop. This management program will help ensure the propagation of the bonobo in the future.

Each year, AZA presents the Bean Award in recognition of efforts by its member institutions in the long-term management and husbandry of various animal species in accredited zoos and aquariums. The Bean Award was established in 1956, honoring Edward H. Bean, the first director of the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago.

The zoo’s curator of birds, Kim Smith, also was recognized, and received the AZA’s Significant Achievement Award primarily for her work as the Avian Scientific Advisory Groups’ chairperson. Smith has been recognized nationally for her research in the area of avian stability in captive populations.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums regards the Milwaukee County Zoo’s research and work as helping to achieve AZA’s vision of building North America’s largest wildlife conservation movement.

For more information on these awards, please contact the zoo’s Public Affairs and Services Division at 414.256.5411