A PICTURE OF CARE
CONSERVATION THROUGH COLLABORATION:
THE LOUISVILLE ZOO SHARES
TOP HONORS
At any doctor’s office or hospital, imaging systems like x-rays are
essential for assessment and care. For years, the Louisville Zoo
was using an outdated and cumbersome x-ray system that took
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums considers conservation
an undue amount of time and energy to produce just fair-quality
to be its highest priority. At the close of 2017, the AZA
images. This past year, through a grant from the Irvin F. and Alice
announced its recipients of the William G. Conway International
S. Etscorn Foundation, the Zoo has acquired a state-of-the-art
Conservation Award, which recognizes “exceptional efforts…
digital x-ray system. In addition to increasing response time and
toward habitat preservation, species restoration, and support
efficiency, this new equipment will also improve image quality.
of biodiversity in the wild.” In collaboration with the Dian
Our staff will be able to quickly adjust contrast and lightness on
Fossey Gorilla Fund and nine other AZA-accredited facilities,
a computer, and to enlarge images and easily share them with
the Louisville Zoo received Top Honors for gorilla conservation
experts for further review and consultation. Ultimately, that will
as documented in the award for “Saving one of the world’s most
mean the potential for better outcomes for those who matter
charismatic species: 50 years of conserving eastern gorillas.”
most — the animals in our care.
IN VERY GOOD HANDS
Like so many humans, our 47-year-old female western lowland
gorilla, Demba, suffers with heart disease. And like all members
of our animal care staff, the team assigned to Demba’s well-
CONSERVATION PARTNERS
To better the bond between people and our planet, the Louisville
Zoo has formed bonds with conservation organizations doing
critical work on behalf of threatened and endangered species:
being goes above and beyond, doing all they can to manage her Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center
condition and help her feel better. Thankfully, the design of our Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International
Gorilla Forest exhibit allows for a high degree of observation and International Elephant Foundation
monitoring — something Demba’s receiving a lot of — which in turn
helps her keepers make more precise adjustments, as needed,
Monarch Watch
in her treatment plan. By working together to monitor Demba’s Polar Bears International
body weight a few times a week, the team is able to determine Pan African Sanctuary Alliance (PASA)
the appropriate diuretic therapy. At the same time, daily animal Snow Leopard Trust
training sessions assist with Demba’s general well-being and help
make administering medication easier. Her rotational exhibit
AZA S.A.F.E. Founders Circle
schedule and access to yards are also good for Demba, as they Chinese Alligator CrocFest
support increased exercise and enrichment. It’s no wonder that Orangutan Foundation International
Demba’s keepers give her the same degree of commitment and Turtle Survival Alliance
care that they would a beloved family member — because that’s
In the past year, the Zoo provided
exactly what Demba is.
$134,854
$500 - $999
Anonymous
Mrs. Mary J. Beale
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher P.
Bingaman
Mr. and Mrs. C. Barret Birnsteel
Mr. and Mrs. Mark L. Brown
Mr. Marc Charnas
Ms. Laura J. Clark
Dr. Natalie H. Daniels and
Mr. Condrad Daniels
Eco-Cell
8 Eisenhower Elementary
Dr. and Mrs. Larry Florman
Mr. and Mrs. David E. Garner
H. Wayne and Pam Gensimore
Mrs. Amy K. Gordon
Mr. Kenneth H. Hagan, Jr. and
Dr. Angela S. Hagan
Steve and Sue-Sue Hartsern
Ms. Deborah Havner
Dr. Heidi Hulon
J. Van Dyke and Alice Norman
Fund
Elissa and Mike Keicher
Mrs. Deborah C. King
King Southern Bank
Strause Law Group PLLC
Mr. and Mrs. Francis S. Luecke
Mr. and Mrs. Neil D. MacDonald
Ms. Era MacDonald and
Mr. Dexter Mahaffey*
Marsh & McLennan Companies
Mrs. Susan S. Means
Dr. and Mrs. Roy Meckler
Mrs. Claire E. Meena-Leist
Adam Naville
Mr. and Mrs. Allan Parnell
James Reesor
Larry and Ann Ricke
Schaffner Traditional Elementary
School
Mr. and Mrs. Vernon M. Smith
Lynne R. Stephan
Mike Stewart
Mr. and Mrs. Gregory W. Stowers
Mr. and Mrs. William E. Summers, IV
Ms. Patricia G. Swope and
Mr. James R. Van Camp
Mr. and Mrs. Steven R. Taylor
TEG Architects LLC
Phyllis R. Tirmenstein
to our species and habitat conservation partners.
For every general admission ticket sold,
$0.25 is contributed and
for every membership, $1 is contributed
to conservation efforts.
The median age for gorillas in managed systems is
38.3. In January of 2018, our beloved western lowland
gorilla Helen, one of eleven gorillas in Gorilla Forest,
turned 60. Western lowland gorillas are considered
critically endangered, with an estimated 100,000 left
in the remnant wild. The Zoo’s second-oldest resident,
Helen, is also the second-oldest known gorilla in the
North American population and the third-oldest
known western lowland gorilla in managed care in the
world. Living in a gorilla family group with 47-year-old
Demba, Helen is also young gorilla Kindi’s great-great-
grandmother — meaning her family, both gorilla and
human, are always by her side.
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