Category: Keeper Notes

Seneca Park Zoo has been a long-time participant in the lake sturgeon reintroduction project into the Genesee River. Every year, along with USGS and DEC biologists, Zoo staff assist with the mark and recapture of sturgeon released into the Genesee River. Sturgeon are recovered from the river, weighed, measured, and identified using microchips and scute markings before being returned to the water.

On October 7, 2016, a 1.5 year-old sturgeon weighing only 96 grams was found unable to eat or swim by the team. This particular sturgeon was released in October 2015 as a 4-inch nursery-reared fish along with 1,000 other fingerling sturgeon. The sturgeon was brought to Seneca Park Zoo for a little TLC in the hopes that it would be returned to the river when stronger.

Unable to swim, it was placed inside a Genesee River mussel shell to maintain correct posture. Aptly named Shelly, she was tube-fed and then handfed for several weeks by Zoo staff.

As Shelly gained strength, her ability to swim returned slowly. Soon, she was gobbling down earthworms on her own and no longer had a need to stay inside her shell. Our exhibit sturgeon aquarium became the perfect home to wait out the cold because we couldn’t release Shelly during the winter months. She would join our three sturgeon also hatched in October 2015.

Over the winter, Shelly has continued to improve and grow. Weighing in at 236 grams, she has surpassed the weights of our other exhibited sturgeon.

This fall, all four of our exhibited sturgeon will be returned to USGS and DEC for release into the Genesee River. They will join the other 1,000 hatchery-reared sturgeon that will also be released.

The lake sturgeon, a protected species, disappeared from the Genesee River due to human activities from pollution to overfishing. Now, humans have brought them back. Since 2003, 6,000 sturgeon hatchlings have been released into the river.

It has been an honor for Seneca Park Zoo to rescue Shelly the sturgeon in 2016 and return her to the Genesee to enjoy her 150-year life!— Robin English, Veterinary Technician

Being a zoo keeper is my dream job, and something I’ve worked hard for my whole life. Before becoming a zoo keeper six months ago, I was a volunteer for Seneca Park Zoo for more than four years and have worked for the Zoo Society in Education and Interpretation. These past six months have flown by. I have learned so much and worked with so many animals and many amazing keepers in my short tenure as a keeper. I’ve learned that a zoo keeper is responsible for many different roles, and more than just the fun stuff.

A zoo keeper spends plenty of time shoveling snow, cleaning holding areas, waiting for animals to switch from inside to outside habitats, and preparing diets and enrichment before she has the time to observe the animals. To me, the best part is seeing the animals under my care involved and engaged in their environment. I try to put a lot of effort into enrichment, because the animals benefit from mental and physical stimulation.

Even though I have the best job in the entire world, there are difficult things we encounter, including the passing of beloved animals. But the difference between this job and every other job I’ve had is that this doesn’t feel like work to me. I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do.

And I feel like I am part of a family. Zoo keepers rely on one another. Every time I need advice, have questions, need help with a project, or want to bounce an idea off of another person, I go to some of my very best friends, other keepers, and ask them. Chances are they’ve been through what I am experiencing in their many years of experience and are the first people to lend a hand when I need help. Being a zoo keeper is about more than just relationships with the animals: it requires solid relationships between people, too. I feel so honored to work beside such talented people.

Here are just a few of the countless things I’ve learned in my first six months as a zoo keeper:

• The penguins peck harder than you think (even though they’re cute)!
• The baboons are always active, so keeping them occupied can be a challenge. Eventually you learn what they enjoy most.
• Standing where four elephants passed through just a couple of minutes ago is very humbling.
• Scratching a rhino is the best part of your day.
• Getting a chuff back from a snow leopard, tiger, or otter is enough to make your heart melt.
• Other zoo keepers are the ones who will always be there for you when you need a hand.

A special thanks to all of the people—keepers, friends, and family—who helped support me to get to where I am today: a part of the Seneca Park Zoo keeper family.Nicole McEvily, Zoo Keeper

Many people wonder where Aurora the polar bear goes in the colder months, when they don’t see her outside as much as they do in the summer season. The answer is that she is doing what most female polar bears do during this time of year: denning.

Aurora recently came out of the denning season. A polar bear’s appetite decreases drastically during this time, and it becomes very picky about what it chooses to eat. During the fall, Aurora does not appear interested in bear chow, fat or lard, meat, and even the fresh salmon fillets that she usually enjoys. Polar bears rest and sleep a lot during denning season, choosing a quiet and private place away from all the hustle and bustle. Aurora tends to use her inside room or her cubbing den, which is away from where people can see her.

As it gets colder, polar bears in their natural range wait for the ice to reform so they can once again hunt for seals to eat. Polar bears are ambush predators, so they lay on the ice for hours waiting for a seal to pop up in their breathing holes; they then grab the seal and sit on the ice some more to eat it.

Polar bears naturally try to conserve as much energy as they can. So, as much fun as it is to watch a polar bear swimming, it is not a behavior that happens very frequently. Aurora tends to swim less frequently when it’s cold, possibly because the water is typically warmer than the air, so taking a dip in the pool is not as refreshing as it would be in the summer.

Now that it’s winter, the best time to see Aurora is first thing in the morning, right as the Zoo is opening for the day. Another great time to watch Aurora is at 1:30 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays when we usually feed her. I can answer any questions you may have during that time as well. We do this year round. In the fall and winter it lasts for about 10 to 20 minutes, but in the summer it can last for as long as 30 to 45 minutes. You can see her best from the outside overlooks or, if you would rather be inside, you can view her from the Rocky Coasts Gallery.

Aurora also receives 4 to 5 additional small feedings each day so that people have multiple chances to see her. These feedings are scheduled randomly because it is more enriching for her when she doesn’t know when to expect it.

Aurora does spend more time outside now that denning season is over. She likes to wander in and out of the separate areas of her habitat, and we always give her the choice of where she wants to be, so if you don’t see her right away, give it a few minutes! As anyone who has experienced a visit with Aurora can attest, it’s always worth the wait.– Heidi Beifus, Zoo Keeper

Join us for Polar Bear Awareness Day on Saturday, February 25!

Learn More

The Zoo is home to a variety of species of frogs and toads, and snowy winter days are perfect for a stop into visit these fascinating amphibians.

You may have walked right past the frog room in the Main Building during your last visit, but Hannah Comstock, one of the zoo keepers who keeps this area of the Zoo running, thinks it’s worth a second look. We talked with her about what she loves about working with frogs, and what makes them so special.Where is the frog room at the Zoo? How many and what types of species are housed there?

The frog room is located in the Main Building near the Aviary. We have three habitats with multiple species of frogs: Panamanian Golden Frogs (Atelopus zeteki) and Green and Black Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates auratus) located in the hallway near the snakes and the Rotunda with the Pied Tamarins; Nominate Dyeing Poison Dart Frogs, Green Dyeing Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates Tinctorius), and Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frogs (Dendrobates leucornelas) in the entry way to the Aviary; and Vietnamese Mossy Frogs (Theloderma corticale) in another tank.

What is the most important duty of yours as a keeper in this area of the Zoo?

Maintaining the tanks is a big part of my job in the frog room. When I work there, I make sure to mist every tank daily.  Some tanks also have fog machines that I turn out periodically throughout the day. I remove dead leaves, clean off plants of any waste, and once a week every tank gets a complete water change.  We don’t use plain tap water for the tanks; we have a special filtration system to make the water habitable for the frogs. Occasionally, we will hear the frogs calling and see them enter amplexus, which is how they mate. At this point, I make sure to keep an eye out for any eggs or tadpoles so we can pull them out and raise them separately from the adults.  We also breed fruit flies to feed them, which is a big part of working in the frog room.  Making sure we have enough food for them and making new fly cultures is a weekly task.

What was your training and experience before becoming a zoo keeper?

I have a very long history with Seneca Park Zoo. When I was younger, I was a camper here at the Zoo. Soon after that, I was part of a program called Zoo Explorers where we learned more about what it takes to be a zoo keeper. After that, I decided to join the ZooTeen program and participated in that for four years. I went to college at SUNY- ESF, or College of Environmental Science and Forestry, where I received a bachelor’s degree in conservation biology.  While attending college, I had an internship with the Rosamond Gifford Zoo in Syracuse, where I worked two days a week with their seven Asian Elephants. I continued to volunteer with Seneca Park Zoo staff for a year after graduating, before being hired as a zoo keeper.

What is the first thing you do each day to care for the species in the frog room? The last thing each day?

The first thing I do every day is make sure everyone is accounted for and doing well. Next, I make sure the tanks are clean and everyone gets a good misting. The last thing I do is feed every frog and make sure the tanks are securely closed before heading home.

What is one thing someone can do individually to help save frogs in their natural range or provide a better environment for them?

One thing we all can do is reduce, reuse, and recycle!  Buying items with less packaging and buying items we can use over and over again is a great way to cut down on waste, but on the occasions when it can’t be avoided, try buying something recyclable so it doesn’t end up in a landfill.  Keeping our environment healthy and our waterways clear will help amphibian species survive better alongside us.

What is something about frogs that most people probably don’t know?

Poison dart frogs derive their toxins from the food that they eat in their natural range. This is different from poisonous toads, which have something called a parotid gland behind their eye that secretes the toxins that they produce themselves. Amphibians in general also have very sensitive skin that is permeable to water. If you ever come to the Zoo and see a keeper wearing rubber gloves while handling the frogs or while they are cleaning, it is to protect the frogs from anything we may have on our hands.

What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned about frogs?

Despite their size, they all have such personalities!  We have some that will always hide from you when you open the tank and some that will sit there without any problem. Some climb walls, some swim, some are easy to catch, and some are extremely difficult. To a guest, they may all look exactly the same, but to me they are all unique. I can tell them apart from the spots on their back or the way the lines on their legs are shaped. Spend enough time with the frogs at the Zoo, and you will see they are all individuals and all very special creatures.Hannah Comstock, Zoo Keeper

If you’re a regular visitor to the Zoo, you may have noticed some changes recently in our 14-year-old male Bornean orangutan, Denda. He is experiencing the development of what are referred to as secondary sexual characteristics; male orangutans undergo this process as they mature.

These characteristics include larger body size, flanges, or cheek pads, on either side of his face, long hair, and development of a large throat sac which helps carry the adult male’s “long call” over great distances.

In nature, these fully-developed males are preferred by females for mating, but males that have not fully matured are still capable of producing offspring. In fact, there is rarely more than one flanged male within a certain range; the presence of one dominant male represses the development of this feature on other males, even if they are already sexually mature. Denda was able to successfully breed with Kumang when he was only 11, resulting in the birth of their offspring Bella.

Denda’s cheek pads began developing last fall and are quite noticeable. He’s also put on 50 pounds since early 2016! We’ve increased his diet to keep up with his growth, as he now weighs close to 200 pounds. A year ago, he was getting approximately the same amount of fruits and vegetables as his mate Kumang but we recently increased that amount by one third, and will most likely increase it again.

Denda’s size, strength, and hair will continue to grow into the coming summer months, until the hormones driving this growth spurt slowly level out and he becomes a fully-developed male.  The entire process takes about one year.

The images below document Denda’s growth each week since mid-October. These photos give you a glimpse of Denda’s transformation and an understanding of why the word orangutan means “man of the forest” in Malaysian, the language spoken in this magnificent species’ native Borneo.– Brian Sheets, Zoo Keeper

Katya and Anastasia are the Amur tigers at the Zoo. They are litter mates and will be 12 years old in May. Formerly known as Siberian tigers, Amur tigers enjoy the snow. They also enjoy learning new behaviors during this time of year, when they are most active.

Katya and Anastasia are trained with positive reinforcement. This means we reinforce beneficial behavior with delicious treats, including their favorites, pork and chicken. They have learned many behaviors over the years, like responding when they are called and allowing us to close gates so we can clean inside or outside without them present.

The tigers participate in their own health care by allowing us to weigh them on a scale or give them their annual vaccines by hand injection. We aim to make these processes stress-free by providing a succulent chunk of meat for the tigers to enjoy during the injection process.

This year, the tigers have also learned to participate in an emergency recall to their off habitat area. This behavior is important so we have the ability to change the tigers’ location if necessary, like if an unexpected item enters their habitat or to protect their safety during a weather event. They find responding to the recall very entertaining!

Presently, we are working to train the tigers to allow us to draw blood from their tails.

It takes time for the tigers to learn all of these behaviors that help us provide the best care. That’s why all the training we do is “on their time”–based on their interest and participation, and never forced.

We are looking forward to a new year of keeping the tigers active, healthy, and engaged!– Mary Ellen Ostrander, Zoo Keeper

Enriching the lives of the animals at Seneca Park Zoo is a key focus of keeper staff here at the Zoo. It is a crucial part of our day to make sure that all the animals in our care are stimulated and encouraged to interact with their environment. Enrichment can be anything that the animal experiences that is out of the normal daily routine. It can provide them with a new scent, a new object to investigate, or an opportunity to engage in their natural behaviors.

For example, orangutans are forage feeders, so they spend their days searching around for food to eat in their natural range. By giving the orangutans at the Zoo different food items that they have to search for, we encourage them to exhibit the natural behavior of foraging. Similarly, hiding food treats for the tigers encourages them to sniff out their food. We offer new enrichment items to our animals daily and try to challenge them every day.Seneca Park Zoo animal care staff are very excited to share the search for new enrichment items with all of the Zoo’s guests! With the first ever Animal Enrichment Tree, we are giving all of you an opportunity to help us provide enrichment to your favorite animals. The enrichment tree is loaded with tags, each bearing an animal’s name and an item that would make a great enrichment piece. If you are interested in giving an animal an item, you take the tag and return it to the Zoo along with the item!

Listed below are some of the items that could be put to great use as animal enrichment this holiday season. Our animals love having new items to explore, and we are looking forward to a new year of exploration and fun!– Robin English, Zoologist

• Genny C – Mr. Bubble bubble bath
• Lilac – Quaker Oats oatmeal
• Moki  – Pretzels
• Chana – Shower curtain liner

• Chester – orange Home Depot buckets
• Zuri – Cumin spice
• Asha – allspice

• Mansion – Large appliance boxes
• Ursula – Acini-di-Pepe pasta
• Pimiento – Bags of Goya beans
• Pearl – Mung Beans
• Pepperella – boxes
• Sabina – Mr. Bubble
• Olive Oil – sheets
• Livella – blankets
• Kalamata – orzo pasta
• Jefferson –  shelled nuts
• Pico – rice noodle
• Samson – hats

• Peter and Paul – Maize corn

• Gretzky – large appliance box
• Bianca – Fleece Blanket

• Aurora – Piñata

• Bella – coffee filters
• Denda – large leaf bags
• Kumang – tissue paper packs
• All – Roll of Trimaco Brown All Purpose Masking Paper from Home Depot

• Pied Tamarins Peanut Butter Pie and Thomas– kabob food feeders
• Golden Lion Tamarins Shauna and Tolo – mini ice cream cones
• Golden Lion Tamarins Maya and Ouro – suet feeders

• Red Lored Amazon Parrot Alice – Kabob food feeder
• Senegal Parrot – small bird toys
• White Cockatoo KK – med – large bird toys

• Bill – small 5 lb bag of horse treats

• Doug – no spill food bowl 6-8″

• Lucy – small paper lunch bags

• Blanca – Bubbles

As the days get shorter and the temperature drops, Zoo staff start getting exhibits and animals ready for the winter months ahead. Monitoring the animals during the winter leaves us with a whole different set of warning signs to look for.Animals exposed to the elements are in danger of hypothermia, frostbite, and dehydration.

Hypothermia is a condition where animals are unable to create enough body heat to maintain proper temperature. Their internal body temperature begins to drop. Once it drops too low, it is difficult to raise the temperature back to normal. The signs of hypothermia can range from shivering and decreased alertness to more severe such as decreased blood pressure and slow, shallow respiration. If left untreated, hypothermia can be fatal.Frostbite can be seen on the ears, toes, and any other appendages. It can strike any exposed skin. As the temperature drops, the blood flow to these areas decreases. With decreased blood flow, there is decreased circulation and heat moving to the area. The tissue begins to freeze. Signs can include darkening of the skin, pain to the touch, and swelling.

All living things need water. In the winter, finding fresh water can be difficult. Dehydration can occur quickly in animals. Signs can range from weakness to organ failure.

So how do Zoo Keepers prevent these potential problems?

Zoo staff work tirelessly throughout the fall to hang wind breaks, plug in heaters, and add extra bedding. The goal is to have a seamless transition for the animals. All of our animals have access to areas that provide shelter from the wind and snow. This could be in the form of access into a building or a covered area of their enclosure.

For those animals that are more sensitive to the cold, they are provided with as many heaters as are needed to maintain a moderate temperature. Zoo staff monitor the animals daily, and in extreme cold, much more frequently. They watch for signs of shivering, tenderness when walking, and any change in the level of alertness. If any signs are seen, animal health staff are notified immediately and action is taken to prevent any further problems. Any animal housed outside has a heated water bowl to provide access to fresh water at all times.

Animals that live indoors are often given the choice to venture outside for some fresh air. The elephants enjoy eating the snow and typically go out daily for short periods of time. Once the animals are all set for the winter, staff will start pulling out all of their gear to make it through the next few months.

If you are visiting the Zoo this winter, take a moment and thank the keepers for working hard to keep the animals safe and warm!–Robin English, Zoologist

The leaves are changing, the days are getting shorter, and the Zoo’s African animals are thriving!

It is well known that the African continent is capable of reaching extremely high temperatures, and its inhabitants are well adapted to the heat. However, the temperature can significantly drop during the night hours and winter months. For this reason, our animals are well equipped for the fall season here in Rochester.

Our resident elephants Moki, Chana, Genny C, and Lilac appreciate the changing leaves in a different way than most guests—they eat them. The elephants are provided with browse several times a week in order to promote natural feeding behaviors such as using their toenails, trunks, and tusks to snap small sticks and peel the bark off larger ones.

Ever wonder why an elephant’s skin is covered in wrinkles? The wrinkles increase the surface area on their body making it easier to soak up the sun and stay warm on cooler days.

The Zoo’s pride of lions is also taking advantage of the cooler climate by becoming more active. By nature, these large predators are most active at dawn and dusk, usually retiring to relax and nap in the shade during the heat of the summer.

Come fall, guests may notice an increase in their activity level throughout brisk days, making their interaction with keepers and enrichment items, such as pumpkins, even more enjoyable to watch.

The keepers at Seneca Park Zoo work hard to ensure that our animals’ lives are stimulating, and like the seasons, always changing, no matter what time of year it is.— James Weinpress, Zoo Keeper

Species Survival Plans (SSPs) are cooperative animal management and conservation programs for endangered species in zoos and aquariums in North America; Seneca Park Zoo participates in many SSPs for endangered species, including orangutans. In August, I was fortunate enough to attend the annual Orangutan Species Survival Plan conference along with the Zoo’s Director of Animal Health and Conservation Dr. Jeff Wyatt. The conference was hosted by The Henry Vilas Zoo in Madison, Wisconsin.

Like Seneca Park Zoo, the Henry Vilas Zoo is home to Bornean orangutans. The male is Datu, who is the son of Kumang and her previous mate, Lowell. Datu was born here at Seneca Park Zoo in 2004, and in 2011 he was sent to Henry Vilas Zoo for recommended breeding with Kawan. During his time here in Rochester, Datu formed close relationships with his keepers and with Dr. Wyatt, who has maintained positive relationships with the orangutans by visiting them frequently just to say hello or to participate in a training session, making his veterinary work less intrusive.Part of the conference included a visit to the Henry Vilas Zoo. Dr. Wyatt was looking forward to seeing Datu, whom he hadn’t seen in years. When our group arrived at the orangutan exhibit, there was Datu, sitting in the grass, not paying particular attention to any of the visitors. That changed as soon as he heard Dr. Wyatt’s voice. Datu sat straight up and zeroed in on where the voice was coming from. He moved right up to the front of the exhibit, staring at Dr. Wyatt.

Dr. Wyatt was so happy to see that Datu remembered him, and the people around us were amazed at the strong reaction he had. After a few moments of Dr. Wyatt speaking in a friendly voice to a totally engaged Datu, we moved inside to the viewing glass.  Datu of course followed, and when Dr. Wyatt kneeled down at the glass, Datu came right up and greeted him by rubbing his shoulder on the glass at him, similar to what a cat might do. Datu then put his hands on the glass and sat face to face with Dr. Wyatt. It was a very touching moment for them both as well as everyone watching.

Dr. Wyatt was able to spend about 20 minutes hanging out with Datu before reluctantly leaving to catch a flight, but it was obvious this visit meant a lot to both of them, and I’m so glad I was there to see it.There’s something special about orangutans: they are so similar to us in so many ways.  Not just because we share 97% of the same DNA, but because like us, they also have moods, emotions and their own personalities and thoughts. As zoo professionals, we learn not to treat the animals we care for as pets, but there are often close bonds formed with these animals when you work for them and care for them on a daily basis. I’ve seen and experienced many examples during my career, but the one I saw between Dr Wyatt and Datu is my most memorable one by far.The keynote speaker at the Orangutan SSP conference this year was Dr. Graham Banes, a noted field researcher, genetic researcher, and an expert on orangutans in general. Dr. Graham spoke on several topics, but the one that had the most impact on me was the story he told of his visits to China. He was hired by the Chinese government as a consultant for a proposed DNA research lab, and being an animal person, he started visiting any and every Chinese zoo he came could find.   Dr. Banes found that Chinese zoos were somewhat behind the times compared to most zoos elsewhere in the world. Digging a little deeper, he found out why.

Due to China’s lack of free flowing information via the internet or in printed form, they have not been able to benefit from the collaboration between zoological institutions which has led to increasingly better conditions for animals worldwide during the last several decades. Dr. Graham started to form relationships with the zoo directors he met and advised them on how they could improve conditions in their own zoos. His enthusiasm and love for animals no doubt helped inspire Chinese zoo officials to do better, and they have started to make some real progress.Dr. Graham informed us that after our conference he was heading back to China for a meeting with 122 zoo directors from all over China to discuss enrichment ideas, especially those zoos that exhibited orangutans–at least 20 by his count. He asked us to send him any interesting orangutan enrichment videos he could share with the Chinese. I have some footage of our three orangutans working away with sticks at their “termite mound” (I usually use sugar free jello!) and I sent it to him the next day.  Dr. Graham got back to me and said he really liked the video; do I have any details on how to build one? Our termite mound was built for us as an Eagle Scout project, and we used detailed plans provided by the Honolulu Zoo on their website.  I sent him the link so he could copy the plans, he thanked me and headed off to China the next day.–Brian Sheets, Zoo Keeper