Wild Lights at the Detroit Zoo, presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions, is back! On select nights through Jan. 7, you can embark on a luminous adventure where the magic of the holiday season comes alive.
Wild Lights has been a treasured holiday tradition for more than a decade for a reason. At this incredible event, you’ll encounter enchanting animal-themed light sculptures that bring a whimsical touch to the festive season and create a magical experience for all ages. Be prepared to be mesmerized by millions of twinkling LED lights transforming the Zoo into a winter wonderland.
Still need a reason to visit Wild Lights this year? Here are five:
Spectacular Light Displays: Marvel at millions of twinkling lights illuminating nearly 500 unique displays, creating a stunning and immersive spectacle for visitors of all ages.
Toyland and Wishing Tree: Dive into a joyful wonderland filled with life-sized toy sculptures, including a 40-foot-long train, perfect for festive photos. Don’t forget to make a holiday wish at the wishing tree!
Holiday Entertainment: Enjoy live entertainment in the Wild Lights Lodge. Listen to festive music that will have you tapping your feet and getting into the holiday spirit.
Seasonal Treats and Beverages: Indulge in delicious seasonal treats and warm beverages as you explore, keeping you fueled and cozy during your magical winter adventure.
Dancing Lights Spectacle: Enjoy the mesmerizing synchronized light shows, where vibrant displays dance to cheery holiday tunes. It’s a visual feast that will leave you in awe.
We hope that was enough to convince you to bundle up and join us for a wild and wonderful holiday experience at the Detroit Zoo’s Wild Lights! Purchase your tickets here.
While you’re here, don’t forget to bring a pair of new gloves or mittens to donate to Mittens for Detroit this year.
Wild Lights is also sponsored by Burns & Wilcox, Kroger, Michigan First Credit Union, Suburban Subaru of Troy, KeyBank, DTE, Buddy’s Pizza, Doetsch Environmental Services, Lincoln of Troy, Michigan Panthers, IBEW Local 58, Genisys Credit Union, Gray’s Outdoor Services, Hagopian, National Flag Football and Aqua Tots.
Authored by Dr. Ann Duncan, vice president of life sciences for the Detroit Zoological Society.
We are very excited to report that we recently brought a third rescued sea otter from the Aquarium of the Pacific to the Detroit Zoo — a young male currently named “927.” The DZS is currently hosting a donation-based naming contest to help us pick out a new name for the otter, which we will announce on World Otter Day! Voting closes at 5 p.m. May 26.
Click this link to vote between Finn, Eli, Kai, Misu and Hurely — but before you do, learn more about the newest addition and how he came to the Detroit Zoo.
An unnamed rescued sea otter has moved to the Detroit Zoo. The DZS is hosting a donation-based contest to help give hime a new name.
At 3 weeks old, the otter was found stranded in Carmel-By-The-Sea, California. The rescue and rehabilitation team who worked with him could not find a receptive wild female to care for him, so the pup was transferred to an area aquarium. He was later deemed non-releasable by the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife. 927 is settling into his new surroundings at Detroit Zoo well and is getting along swimmingly with current sea otter residents Ollie and Monte.
A lot of preparation goes into ensuring the transport and acclimation of a new sea otter goes well. Long before we planned the move, we began working with the animal care staff at the Aquarium of the Pacific (AOP) to develop a plan and analyze every aspect of the move. For starters, we worked with the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife permitting team to apply for a permit for 927 to be moved. As he is a marine mammal, several regulations are in place to ensure only zoos and aquariums with excellent facilities and expertise in sea otter care provide homes for sea otters. While waiting for the permit, AOP staff made sure 927 had an opportunity to interact with several different sea otters so that he could learn social skills and become accustomed to making new friends. The veterinary staff at AOP did two examinations and ran several laboratory tests to ensure 927 was healthy and free of any contagious diseases that could pass to other otters. This allowed us to shorten the quarantine period at the DZS so 927 could quickly access the large habitat at the Arctic Ring of Life and the otters already living there.
927 traveled by plane from California to Michigan in a kennel similar to a large dog carrier.
There were also lots of preparations for the day of transport. As described in a previous blog, sea otters have many unique physiological adaptations that can make time spent out of their aquatic environment stressful, so transport must be done carefully. To ensure things went smoothly, I traveled to the AOP two days prior to accompany the sea otter and an AOP staff person during transport. The AOP team had prepared two large pieces of luggage containing medical supplies and medications. While we didn’t expect problems, it’s always good to be extra prepared. We also carried two large coolers filled with ice and a day-and-a-half’s supply of the otter’s normal diet.
On the day of travel, we got an early start at the Aquarium. After loading the supplies into a van, 927 was coaxed into an airline kennel. The kennel had a plastic insert on the bottom, which allowed food and other waste to slide away from the otter’s haircoat. We planned the trip for a time of year when temperatures are cooler throughout the day and placed the kennel in a larger plastic tray so that we could provide lots of ice and water during transport. We traveled on Federal Express cargo airplanes from California to Michigan with a short layover in Memphis. As the attendants, we could pass through a small door to the cargo area whenever we wanted. We checked on him frequently and offered meals every two to three hours. As sea otters have a rapid metabolism, this is incredibly important.
927 was well cared for throughout his journey by DZS VP of Life Sciences Ann Duncan.
927 was an excellent traveler. He was curious about the sights and sounds around him but did not seem overly concerned or agitated. He gobbled up the shrimp, clam and squid we offered at every meal — and especially enjoyed chewing on cubed ice. He also seemed to really enjoy it when a sprayer was used to provide a stream of water for drinking and rinsing.
Once we arrived at the Detroit Zoo, we opened the kennel door and released 927 directly into a clean quarantine pool adjacent to the exhibit. He immediately started investigating his new surroundings, eating his diet and playing with toys. We gave him a few days to acclimate to his new keepers and to observe Ollie and Monte through a mesh door before letting him out into the habitat. Since then, he has been playing with Monte, exploring his large habitat and playing with all his toys.
You don’t need to head up north or plan a camping trip to connect with nature – there are amazing animals all around us! Let us introduce you to three of your wild neighbors.
They call it mudpuppy love!
Mudpuppies are the second-largest salamander in the western hemisphere. These amphibians may not give off total puppy-dog vibes, but when you see them up-close and in-person, you can’t help but to fall for their charms. There is even a whole celebration in their honor called Mudpuppypalooza taking place March 26 at the Belle Isle Nature Center!
Mudpuppies have wide faces and frilly, external gills on the sides of their heads that act like filters in the water. This means they need to live in clean water to stay healthy. These pups spend most of their time under the cover of flat rocks or slabs of concrete at the bottom of rivers – including our very own Detroit River. They are an important part of Michigan’s aquatic ecosystem, and the Detroit Zoological Society has been collecting data on mudpuppies and water quality in the Detroit River since 2004. Learn more about our monitoring efforts.
Say hi to Michigan’s largest snake!
Black rat snakes can grow to be an impressive 8 feet long – but don’t worry, they are non-venomous and harmless to humans. Rodents, however, are not so lucky. As their name suggests, this species hunts rats and will often enter barns or abandoned buildings in search of food. They use the constriction method of hunting and consume their prey in a single bite! Rat snakes can also be found hiding in tall grasses, under fallen trees or in hallowed out logs, just like our friend here, who just emerging after a taking a nice afternoon nap. The habitats at the Belle Isle Nature Center are designed to mirror the landscape the species might experience in the wild – do any of the elements look familiar to you?
Do I spot a spotted turtle?
If you have visited our Nature Center before, you may be familiar with our turtle pond. This expansive indoor habitat is home to several turtle species, including this pair of spotted turtles. They may be smaller than most of their pond mates, but as you can see from this video, they make up for it in moxie! Spotted turtles can be found in bogs, marshes, swamps, ponds and woodland streams throughout Michigan. They can often be seen basking in the midday sun, but when surprised, spotted turtles will dive underwater and completely bury themselves in the mud. They also retreat to these muddy beds to stay cool on hot summer days. Spotted turtles in Michigan are threatened by habitat loss and from being removed from the wild by reptile collectors. That brings us to a rule that applies to all wild animals – look don’t touch! This is the best way to keep your new friend safe.
The Belle Isle Nature Center is all about making connections. People, animals, natural and unnatural landscapes are all a part of the unique tapestry that is Detroit. Visit belleislenaturecenter.detroitzoo.org to plan your visit. The Nature Center is open every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and and is always free!
Khadejah Shelby was the first Black female deputy and acting zoo director in the United States.
Authored by Christina Ross, media coordinator for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).
The DZS prides itself on being an organization that is committed to celebrating the diversity — not only of wildlife and wild places — but also of our human community. This Black History Month, the DZS honored this commitment by highlighting individuals who have greatly contributed to our organization throughout the years. There is no doubt the DZS is a better place for the animals, our guests and our staff due to their dedication and fortitude. We are proud to shine a light on their accomplishments and offer our deepest gratitude.
Meet some of the people who have helped make the DZS the organization it is today!
Khadejah Shelby
Khadejah’s influence is still felt at the Detroit Zoo today.
Ms. Khadejah E. Shelby was appointed as the deputy director of the Detroit Zoo in 1982 and held this position, along with Belle Isle Zoo director, for 12 years. She also served as acting director for the Detroit Zoo, making her the first Black woman to hold the position of zoo director in the United States. During her time at the Zoo, she developed an appreciation of all animals and worked to share her knowledge with Black children by answering all their animal-related questions. Khadejah took on the personal responsibility of educating Black people about zoo careers by helping to develop a zoo management degree at Wayne State University.
She managed with common sense and openness, knowing the animal care team was — and still is — the foundation of the Zoo. Though she passed away in 2018, Khadejah’s impact can still be felt in our organization today.
“Ms. Shelby was a champion for change,” says Curator of Education Mike Reed, who worked closely with Khadejah. “She was a strong personality and not afraid to challenge traditional barriers. In a time when there were few Black individuals in animal care departments in zoos and aquariums throughout the United States, she worked to give everyone a fair opportunity at the Detroit Zoo.”
C. Monique Roberson
C. Monique Roberson was recognized by being the first black female zookeeper at the DZS.
In November 1976, Monique Roberson became the first full-time female zookeeper at the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) and was later recognized as such by the City of Detroit.
Monique began her DZS career in the guest services department before transferring to the animal care department. At the time, this was uncommon for a woman, and she faced harsh scrutiny from her male coworkers. Even though she was tasked with the hardest jobs and faced continuous discrimination, Monique was determined to make it in this “man’s” profession.
Over the years, Monique took it upon herself to read extensively about the animals she cared for. When a testing system was put in place, she passed with flying colors and was promoted to senior zookeeper. During her time at the DZS, Monique cared for her favorite animals, the primates, and served as the union’s chief steward.
“The DZS went from a male-dominated workplace to a welcoming environment for all,” Monique says when reflecting on her time at the DZS. “Animal care and training and enrichment have evolved practically 360 degrees from my earlier years.”
After 48 years and 4 months of employment, Monique retired on Dec. 31, 2020. During her career, she broke down barriers and paved the way for other women and Black individuals to join the animal care field. We want to take this opportunity to thank her for her years of commitment and honor her as the first full-time female zookeeper in DZS history!
Gwen Lainer
Gwen Lainer was the heart of the guest relations team for years.
Meet the woman who was considered the heart of the Zoo’s guest relations department for years.
Gwen Lanier worked at the Detroit Zoo for more than 48 years. During her tenure, she witnessed the DZS take great strides toward being an inclusive workplace and performed many different roles on the guest relations team. She likens working on this team to eating a box of chocolates — “you never know what you are going to get.”
“The employees are colorful with their antics, and the guests are unbelievable,” she says. “Working in guest relations will keep your brain charged, body energized and give you a passion for people and their stories.”
One of her proudest work moments is when the DZS adopted a school on the lower east side of Detroit. There, Gwen mentored a student with whom she still stays in touch today! Gwen is also proud that she trained fellow team members how to treat people equally. She had a great rapport with staff and was a confidant for many.
Though she is now retired, Gwen continues to serve as an ambassador for the Zoo. She has seen so many changes in her 48 years and appreciates that the DZS has gone from being a white male-dominated organization to a diverse place where jobs are filled by qualified people regardless of their race, orientation or religion.
Mike Reed
Mike Reed is a coordinator of education for the Detroit Zoo.
Meet Mike Reed, who says his most cherished part of working for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) is that he could be a part of “living Black history.”
A zoologist and coordinator of education at the Detroit Zoo, Mike is the longest-tenured member of the DZS team management group. He has spent the last 35 years caring for animals large and small at the Detroit Zoo and on Belle Isle. Throughout his career, he maintained a goal of sparking a love of nature in all youth and showing Black children that there is a place for them in animal-related fields.
Mike made history by being the first educator specifically assigned to the Belle Isle Zoo and Aquarium. There, he helped to create what was, at the time, the world’s largest spider habitat. It was the first major zoo habitat designed, built and maintained by an entirely African American staff.
Mike continued to break barriers by being elected the first Black president of the Michigan Alliance for Environmental and Outdoor Education, a statewide environmental literacy group. He was also the first African American to serve as education chair for Youth Day, Michigan’s largest one-day children’s event.
Mike has made a difference in many children’s lives by visiting schools and talking with them one-on-one at events. In 2021, he was profiled in an article by Wayne State University that shared his accomplishments. Mike hopes his story will inspire more young Black Americans to join their classmates in seeking jobs in the sciences, so they can continue to create history.
Maurice Anderson is the director of guest relations for the DZS.
Finally, let’s meet someone who making history today and moving us toward a more equitable future.
Maurice Anderson is the director of guest relations for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). He is responsible for everything that goes into giving guests a great Detroit Zoo experience —from hiring and training staff to managing the rides and attractions, resolving customer service feedback and much more. You are in good hands with Maurice. He embodies the DZS spirit and has risen through the ranks since his start as a public relations intern six years ago.
“The two most important things that I’ve learned along the way on my journey from intern to my current role are the importance of building healthy relationships within the workplace and the importance of making every aspect of the business a priority,” Maurice says. “The Zoo is a hands-on organization, and we are successful because we encourage open communication, innovation, integrity, caring and equity. Each department and each employee make this organization a world-class Zoo.”
He says his favorite part of his job is how dynamic each day is.
“Within a given day, I am moving from project to project, meeting to meeting, and assisting the DZS team. Each day at the Zoo presents a new challenge, and it allows me to sharpen my skills.”
Maurice is a great example of what can be accomplished at the Detroit Zoo.
Thank you, Khadejah, Monique, Gwen, Mike and Maurice!
While we couldn’t fit everyone into this blog post, the DZS has been and continues to be shaped by countless Black and diverse individuals — we can’t thank them enough for their work and dedication.
As we turn the calendar to March, remember that Black history’s importance does not end just because February does. The DZS prioritizes diversity and inclusion 365 days a year.
While we’ve been making the holidays bright with our annual Wild Lights event, a celebration featuring millions of twinkling lights decorating the Detroit Zoo, we know the season wouldn’t be complete without gifting something back to our community. That’s why we are partnering with Mittens for Detroit all Wild Lights long!
Mittens for Detroit is a local nonprofit that collects new, warm mittens and gloves for families in need. The items are then distributed through schools, veterans’ groups, senior centers, shelters, medical facilities and other like organizations. Since establishing itself in 2010, the organization has delivered more than a quarter million pairs of gloves and mittens to children, teens and adults in Detroit, Hamtramck, Highland Park, Dearborn and Pontiac.
The Detroit Zoological Society is proud to again partner with Mittens of Detroit to warm the hands and hearts of our Metro Detroit neighbors.
“The pairs raised at Wild Lights will be immensely helpful, as we can process them quickly and they will be on hands within a week or so of their donation,” says Wendy Shepherd, Mittens for Detroit executive director. “We greatly appreciate once again the community outreach that this fantastic event brings.”
Last year, our Wild Lights guests helped us collect nearly 800 pairs of gloves and mittens. This year, we are aiming for 1,000 pairs — but we need your help to cross the finish line! When you plan your trip to Wild Lights this season, help us give back by bringing in a pair of new, unused gloves or mittens to donate to those in need. Wrapped collection boxes can be found at the Detroit Zoo’s entrance. Wild Lights runs select evenings through Jan. 8.
Together, we can ensure the holiday season is merry, bright and warm for all.
Staff with The Detroit Zoo have been working together to monitor Ameliya, an Amur tiger. Photo credit: Jennifer Harte
Authored by Emily Bovee, CZAAWE lab assistant
A little teamwork can go a long way — especially when it comes to caring for the animals who call the Detroit Zoo home. Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics (CZAAWE) staff recently teamed up with fellow Zoo employees to ensure two of the Zoo’s feline residents have the best possible opportunity to bring a litter of cubs into the world.
Amur tigers (Panthera tigris altaica) were the first species to be part of an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan, a program aimed at supporting the conservation of endangered species by maintaining the genetic diversity of AZA populations. Breeding animals in zoos can be surprisingly challenging, even for the most amorous of Amur tigers! As a solitary species, wild adult Amur tigers generally live alone. Females and males will only meet briefly to mate before parting ways. Tigers living in AZA-accredited zoos are often housed separately, thus the timing of breeding introductions is extremely important. The successful birth of healthy cubs requires some coordination and planning from experts in the field. The last time efforts were made to breed tigers at the Detroit Zoo was in 2003 when healthy cubs were born.
Team members have been monitoring how Ameliya and Nikolai interact with each other.
Collaborations between different departments at the Detroit Zoo provide staff opportunities to examine the welfare of the animals from new and diverse perspectives. Recently, CZAAWE staff started working with mammal supervisor Melissa Thueme and animal care specialist Sarah Semegen to assist with tiger breeding efforts. The two resident Amur tigers, male Nikolai and female Ameliya, rotate through the public enclosure and a second outdoor tiger yard behind the scenes.
CZAAWE uses an on-campus endocrinology lab to non-invasively measure indicators of physiological welfare such as hormones — a fancy way of saying we analyze a lot of poop! With the amount of poop collected from animals big and small throughout the Zoo, CZAAWE depends on the intrepid lab volunteers who spend hours crushing samples to prepare them for lab testing. This can include hormones that may indicate changes in reproductive states such as testosterone, estradiol and progesterone.
Hormone data, along with behavioral observations, can help track Ameliya’s cycles.
Using fecal samples collected by animal care staff from Ameliya, CZAAWE first monitored estradiol, an estrogen hormone involved in the regulation of the estrous cycle. This allowed us to assess if Ameliya had an active cycle and determine the timing of her cycles. The hormone data supplements and confirms animal care staff behavioral observations, which can also be used to track reproductive cycles. Indicators of her estrous cycle included behaviors such as chuffing (an affectionate throaty vocalization!), rubbing on walls and mesh, rolling on the ground, and being friendly toward Nikolai and animal care staff. In only a few days, she can switch from snarling and swatting at Nikolai to chuffing and cheek rubbing! Using a combination of hormonal monitoring and behavioral cues, animal care staff can determine the ideal time for facilitating interactions between Ameliya and Nikolai that are more likely to result in a successful breeding attempt.
After a potentially successful breeding introduction, the CZAAWE lab staff can shift to monitoring Ameliya’s progesterone levels. Progesterone is a hormone that maintains pregnancy and gets the body ready for and supports a developing fetus. Examining her progesterone levels will allow us to non-invasively detect a possible pregnancy and make sure our care protocols provide excellent support for the mother-to-be. While we are not yet listening for the pitter-patter of tiny tiger paws, we are hopeful that the continued collaboration between animal care staff and CZAAWE will mean healthy tiger cubs in the future.
The collaboration between Zoo departments will help Ameliya and Nikolai be in the ideal situation for potential breeding.
Authored by Ashley Ciricola, curator of fine and performing arts for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS).
The Detroit Zoo is home to many mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. But did you know the Zoo is also home to a variety of paintings, sculptures, photographs and other pieces of art?
November 9 happens to be National Go to an Art Museum Day, and we want to shine a deserving light on the the Detroit Zoological Society’s permanent art collection. Read on to learn more about these pieces and see why visitors of all ages should add an art tour to their next Zoo trip.
Since 1995, the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery at the Detroit Zoo has been a designated space to display the permanent art collection, supporting the DZS’ mission by creating meaningful connections between people, animals and the natural world. The cultural and artistic diversity of our permanent art collection encourages guests to consider and compare the varied relationships between humans and animals across different cultures and times.
The universal language of art is a pathway to start or continue discussions about conservation and sustainability topics within our community, and whether you are interested in local artists or ancient artifacts, the permanent art collection at the Detroit Zoo has a little something for everyone. Here are a few of the collections that are currently on display:
Title: Scene III, Collecting, Artist: Tanya Hastings, Date: 1997, Medium: oil on canvas
Title: Bullet Elephant, Artist: Mary Engel, Date: 1995,
Medium: metal bullets with gold leaf on tusks
Title: Animal Crackers II, Artist: Scott Greenig, Date: 1995, Medium: oil and enamel on board
But the beauty isn’t just limited to the indoors; in fact, the collection continues as you venture throughout the Zoo grounds. There are many unique pieces to see, from vibrant Pewabic tile mosaics to bronze animal statues that are at hug level for our smallest art aficionados to enjoy.
Title: Leaping Gazelle, Artist: Marshall Fredericks, Date: 1936, Medium: cast bronze, Donated by Ann Rosenthal in memory of Mike Rosenthal
Title: Kashka, Artist: Sharon Sommers, Date: 2003, Medium: cast bronze, Donated by Dr. Alexander Maximovich in memory of Veronica Maximovich
Title: Peacock in Full Display, Artist: Mary Chase Stratton, Date: 1926, Medium: Pewabic tile
Title: Galapagos Tortoise, Artist: William Allen, Date: 1992, Medium: bronze and copper, Donated by Dr. Suzanne Zeitman and Dr. Jerrold Grossman in memory of Pamela Grossman
Wherever you are in the Zoo, there is likely a meaningful piece of art that is nearby and waiting for you to explore! Plan your next trip to the Detroit Zoo and see it all for yourself – visit www.detroitzoo.org today to purchase your tickets.
DZS employees and their families are volunteering to plant trees throughout Metro Detroit.
Members of the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS) team have been rolling up their sleeves and getting their hands dirty for a good cause.
As part of our commitment to plant 2,000 trees at the Detroit Zoo, the Belle Isle Nature Center and throughout all of Metro Detroit, we have partnered with Greening of Detroit, a member of the Metro Detroit Nature Network, along with American Forests, the Oakland County Economic Development Department and Royal Oak Township to lead or co-sponsor five tree plantings throughout the area this fall.
We have been thrilled to partner with Greening of Detroit, a nonprofit organization focused on enhancing the quality of life for Detroiters by planting trees, providing job training and involving youth in education about the natural environment. So far, we have completed three of our five plantings, and our staff is having a blast making our communities — quite literally — greener!
At a recent event, DZS employees and their families volunteered their Saturday morning to plant trees along Cloverlawn Avenue and surrounding streets in Detroit. After three hours of digging through compacted soil and clay, we were left with 50 brand-new trees lining both sides of the street. These trees will not only beautify the area, but they will also play an important role in the neighborhood environment. In addition to providing shade and habitat for local wildlife, planting trees in urban areas has been shown to reduce stormwater runoff and improve air quality.
“These plantings are a lot of work — and a lot of fun,” says Andy McDowell, DZS manager of sustainability. “The DZS has always been committed to environmental sustainability, and now our team is thrilled to give back to local communities and make the world greener one tree at a time.”
Interested in signing up for one of our remaining tree plantings in Metro Detroit? Click here.
DEC. 8, 2022 UPDATE: We’re happy to announce that the penguin chick was determined to be male and has been named Maximilian! Called “Max”for short, he is growing up healthy and tall alongside his doting foster parents.
There’s a fluffy new bundle of joy at the Detroit Zoo!
A yet-to-be named king penguin chick hatched at the Detroit Zoo on Aug. 13 — but this chick’s story actually began nearly 300 miles away, at the Cincinnati Zoo.
The chick’s biological parents, 27-year-old Larry and 8-year-old Stacy, initially laid the egg, and Cincinnati staff quickly learned the egg was fertile through a process called “floating.” In this process, an egg is floated in warm water to look for ripples in the water.
“We were excited to confirm fertility when the little bundle of joy was bouncing around like crazy,” says Jennifer Gainer, the Cincinnati Zoo’s curator of birds.
Not long after, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan recommended the Detroit Zoo as a home for the future chick, and representatives from both zoos started collaborating – carefully crafting a plan to incubate, transport and transfer the king penguin chick egg to its new foster parents.
Awaiting the little nestling at the Detroit Zoo was the perfect pair of foster parents – a 21-year-old male and a 7-year-old female named Gertie. These king penguins blended and bonded during the July to September mating season but didn’t produce an egg of their own. Instead, to prepare the couple for parenthood, zookeepers provided the pair a “practice” egg to care for until the “real” egg from the Cincinnati Zoo arrived.
“It was a perfect situation,” says Jessica Jozwiak, bird supervisor at the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). “We had a pair that was closely bonded but did not produce an egg this year, so we were able to give this egg to them. Everything has worked out wonderfully.”
Since hatching, the chick has been thriving. While the sex of the chick is not yet known, it is growing up behind the scenes, closely cared for by its attentive foster parents. After fledging, the chick will live with inside the habitat at the Polk Penguin Conservation Center with the rest of the king, macaroni, rockhopper and chinstrap penguins who call the center home.
However, as he watches Kongo, Pende and Chip, a bachelor group of brother gorillas, lounge about their habitat at the Detroit Zoo, the answer to which gorilla holds Jesue’s heart comes easily.
“It’s Pende,” he says, a smile spread wide across his face. “He’s inquisitive and curious. He will sit on top of the hill and just stare down at everyone. You can almost feel it in your body. He loves to get a reaction.”
Over the course of his career as a zoo animal care team member, Jesue has worked with dozens of gorillas, and like Pende, he says each is unique and special in their own way. Despite their differences, many gorillas and fellow great apes share a common health risk. Much like it is for humans, heart disease is the leading cause of death observed among great apes in zoos.
Though Jesue understands heart complications may be a reality for his favorite gorilla one day, he takes comfort in knowing a group dedicated to mitigating these issues in great apes is now headquartered at his Zoo.
In early 2022, the Great Ape Heart Project (GAHP), a group of experts who provide a network of clinical, pathologic and research strategies to aid in understanding and treating cardiac disease in all ape species, moved its headquarters to the Detroit Zoo. Originally based at Zoo Atlanta, this collaborative project was founded to create a centralized database that analyzes cardiac data, generates reports and coordinates cardiac-related research. The move to Detroit was announced after Dr. Hayley Murphy, founder and director emeritus of the GAHP, was named the executive director and chief executive officer of the Detroit Zoological Society.
A gorilla receives a health exam at the Detroit Zoo.
Though formally established in 2010, the GAHP got its start much earlier. As a veterinary advisor to the gorilla Species Survival Plan, Murphy began seeing an increase in the number of cardiovascular disease cases reported in gorillas housed at Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) institutions. Together with cardiologist Dr. Ilana Kutinksy, Murphy created a Gorilla Cardiac Database in 2002 to better analyze and compare the cases they observed in great apes. Overtime, the database gained momentum, and in 2010, with the assistance of a National Leadership Planning Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, the GAHP was officially born.
“I love gorillas — I love all apes, but I’ve worked the most with gorillas,” Murphy says. “I fell in love with them when I was just beginning my career as a zoo vet, and I realized the toll heart disease was taking on the population. I saw a need to combine the research being done on heart disease so that these apes could live healthier lives. For me, this was a perfect combination of a passion I had for animals combined with a passion for veterinary medicine.”
In its more than a decade of life, the project has maintained a hub for researchers that includes data for more than 90 percent of adult great apes in AZA-accredited institutions. Today, the primarily volunteer-run project creates procedures and best practices used in all AZA zoos and other institutions around the world. In 2020, the project was recognized for its achievements in advancing scientific research with the AZA’s Research Award.
A gorilla undergoes a health exam at the Detroit Zoo.
“We provide real-time support to institutions that may not have experts on site,” says Dr. Marietta Danforth, GAHP director. “Our team of dedicated volunteers includes cardiologists, pathologists, researchers, zookeepers and managers all coming together with their persective and expertise to create a database to best understand, treat and monitor apes for cardiovascular disease. This has really grown into something huge and impactful.”
While “database” may conjure images of big-screen computers and abstract numbers, Murphy and Danforth say the impacts of the GAHP are just as real as the mammals it seeks to protect.
“We have certainly seen an increase in lifespan in great apes since we’ve started,” Murphy says. “That’s not only because of us, but I do think we have made a difference. There’ve been many times when people have called us with really sick apes, and we’ve been able to help. We’ve seen these animals recover and live much longer than they would have otherwise. I think that is a really huge marker of success.”
Now that the GAHP is based at the Detroit Zoo, with which Danforth says the project had an excellent working relationship even before Murphy’s appointment as CEO/executive director, its leaders hope it can continue to spread its reach and save the lives of great apes — from gorillas to chimpanzees, orangutans, bonobos and more.
The Great Ape Heart Project moved to Detroit in 2022.
“My vision for the future is that we remain a hub of the wheel where researchers, vets and zookeepers can come together and share resources for great apes,” Murphy says.
“The GAHP exists because everyone involved loves these animals so much. We want to see them thrive. It’s this passion that keeps the program running.”
As a member of the animal care staff on grounds each day caring for the gorillas who call the Detroit Zoo home, Jesue believes having the GAHP at his home Zoo will have positive outcomes for his favorite gorillas going forward.
“We are going to be able to help great apes around the world. It’s so cool that we can now say this is based at the Detroit Zoo,” Jesue says, keeping a watchful eye over Pende as the silverback meanders through his habitat. “I’m so glad this resource is here for Pende, Chip and Kongo. Because of the work the GAHP does, I believe these guys are going to live long, healthy lives.”
Chip, Kongo and Pende explore their habitat at the Detroit Zoo.
Sarah Culton is the communications manager at the Detroit Zoological Society.
Detroit Zoological Society Blog 