Independent committee lauds Oregon Zoo's progress in report to Metro Council

The Oregon Zoo continues to deliver on promises made in 2008, when the region's voters approved a $125 million zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability, a citizen-oversight group reports.

At a meeting of the Metro Council today, the Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee praised Metro and zoo staff for their effectiveness in implementing a host of projects made possible by the community-supported bond measure.

"The committee is pleased to report that in 2017, bond funds continued to be spent wisely, bond projects were advanced on schedule and within budget, and overall the bond program is on track to deliver on voter expectations," wrote committee chair Ruth Shelly in a letter introducing the major findings of the citizen group's report.

Shelly noted that, after a "tremendous stretch of nonstop construction" that concluded with last year's opening of the new Education Center, the zoo is now poised to enter the homestretch of its bond implementation.

"The staff and committee took a breath and — with no less energy — dove into a planning and preparation phase for the bond measure's last three projects," Shelly wrote.

With five major projects now complete, the final three projects — improved habitats for primates, rhinos and polar bears — will be managed as a single construction project to save construction costs and increase efficiency. These projects are currently near the end of the design phase and scheduled for completion in 2020.

While recommending this single-project approach, the committee acknowledged that it does present challenges; disruption of the zoo's central core will require careful coordination to support a positive visitor experience during construction.

The Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee — an independent group of local professionals with expertise in animal welfare, sustainability, public budgeting, campus planning, social equity and construction — is charged with overseeing the implementation of zoo bond program projects "to ensure funds are spent wisely and the bond projects are successfully built."

The committee commended the zoo on its habitat planning, which it said was enhanced by a clear commitment to animal welfare and alignment with the zoo's draft Integrated Conservation Action Plan.

Animal-welfare research and evaluation of educational displays at Elephant Lands, indicate that completed bond projects are delivering the intended results, the report noted. Focus group participants who voted to support the bond measure in 2008 felt Elephant Lands met or exceeded expectations and said they would continue making financial contributions to support additional habitat improvements.

The report highlighted successes in containing costs and improving construction efficiency through the use of an alternative contracting method that brings general contractors into projects early, during the design phase, to help identify risks, provide cost projections and refine the project schedule.

It also noted the zoo's achievements in hiring contractors certified by the State of Oregon's Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity, which works to increase opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned and emerging small businesses to land contracts on publicly funded projects. For the Education Center, nearly 30 percent of the contracted work (by dollar value) went to COBID-certified firms — almost double the project's aspiration goal.

Metro Council President Tom Hughes applauded the citizen group for its diligence in overseeing the bond's implementation and its thoroughness in reporting to the Metro Council and voters.

To see the full oversight committee report, visit bit.ly/OversightReport2018.

Change on the way as zoo enters homestretch of community-supported bond projects

The welfare of the animals in our care is at the heart of everything we do every day. Decades ago, the Oregon Zoo established animal welfare as our guiding principle. In 1974, we were the second zoo in the country to be accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (there are now more than 200) and animal welfare is the core of accreditation standards.

Great animal care involves both art and science. We base our work on the best science and invest our passion and creativity in providing our animals with optimal foods, top-notch veterinary care, stimulating activities, and habitats that support each species' needs. We use scientific methods as well as our deep familiarity with our animals to monitor them throughout the day — all to support their physical, social and emotional health and natural behaviors.

In 2008, when we reached out to you for support, we were struggling to maintain these standards because many of our facilities dated to the zoo's opening in the 1950s and were antiquated and dilapidated. Through your generous support of a public bond we've completed five of eight major projects including custom-designed habitats for elephants and condors, a state-of-the-art veterinary clinic, a new conservation education center, and modern systems that save money, water and energy.

Now, we're about to break ground on the final three projects, which will transform the very heart of the zoo. This summer, you'll see construction fences go up and old buildings come down as the first steps to replacing outdated facilities with new expansive and stimulating habitats for primates, polar bears and rhinos.

The old primate building will be demolished and replaced with a large, adaptable multi-level habitat for an expanded family of chimps. With two outdoor habitats and an indoor atrium, chimps will have more choices about who they hang out with plus stimulating activities that change every day. Large viewing windows will bring visitors within inches of these highly intelligent and socially complex great apes. You'll learn about similarities between chimps and orangutans, their remarkable differences, threats they face from deforestation and meaningful actions you can take to conserve their habitats.

Right across the path, at Polar Passage, polar bears will roam over rolling meadows and rock outcrops, and plunge into saltwater pools. Visitors can come eye to eye with the bears and witness conservation science in the making, as keepers demonstrate the zoo's work collecting critical data for scientists in the Arctic.

The third project is an expansion of the rhino habitat, replacing the former hippo area. The new habitat will provide more space, better viewing and opportunities for rhino breeding.

Construction fencing will encircle all three areas because we're treating this as a single construction project, saving construction time and costs and making this big remodeling project much more efficient.

While we're under construction, there will be plenty to see and do across the zoo. And when these three new habitats open in 2020, together we will have completely transformed more than 40 percent of the zoo campus. You've helped us keep our promise — to our animals, to ourselves and to you — that we will constantly strive for excellence in the care and welfare of our animals.

Dr. Don Moore
Director, Oregon Zoo

Visitors come out in record numbers as zoo enters home stretch of bond improvements

A mild, sunny end to the month helped push the Oregon Zoo's attendance over 1.7 million for the fiscal year ending June 30 — making it the most-visited year in the zoo's 130-year history.

Although the final tally isn't in yet, the zoo had already topped its attendance record heading into the last day of the year, which — with clear skies and a nearly sold-out concert by Belle and Sebastian — also looked to be well attended. The previous record, set in 2012-13, was 1,683,442 visits.

"People in this part of the country have a stronger connection to animals than anywhere else I've seen," said zoo director Don Moore, a conservation biologist who came to Portland in 2016 from Smithsonian's National Zoo. "We have a shared vision in this community of creating a better future for wildlife, and that means a lot."

Dr. Moore said the strong attendance over the past year will help support the zoo's conservation, education and animal welfare efforts — and noted that visitors will have even more to look forward to in the months and years ahead.

"We've entered the home stretch of projects funded by the 2008 zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability," he said. "With work about to begin on new habitats for polar bears, primates and rhinos, we will continue to evolve in a way that makes this community proud."

As usual, summer was the busiest time of year at the zoo, with more than 400,000 visits through July and August. Fall and winter were big too: The zoo shattered its attendance record for ZooLights, the annual holiday light display, with 270,081 visits — and set monthly records for November (107,192) and December (269,643) along the way.

Attendance during 2017-18 also got a boost from the new Zoo For All program. The discount option, designed to increase accessibility for lower-income families, launched in September, providing $5 admission for qualifying individuals and families every day, all year long.

In addition to being one of the most popular destinations in the Northwest, the Oregon Zoo is one of the most highly respected zoos in the country. Since 2012, it has been recognized with nine of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' major annual awards, including five for conservation work on behalf of endangered species. Its two most recent honors, announced at the annual AZA conference in September, were for work to recover the critically endangered California condor and for excellence in design at the zoo's state-of-the art Elephant Lands habitat.

New chimp area will build on improvements first helped along by Dr. Jane Goodall

An extreme home makeover worth going ape over is taking place as the Oregon Zoo begins work on its new Primate Forest habitat. And, as construction begins, zoo visitors can expect to see some familiar faces in unfamiliar places.

To ensure they're safely out of the hardhat zone, the zoo's resident chimpanzee troop — Chloe, Leah, Delilah and Jackson — has moved next door to Red Ape Reserve, while the lemur group (known as a conspiracy) is settling into the former caracal habitat in the zoo's Africa area.

The chimps explored their temporary digs for the first time yesterday, making themselves right at home among the habitat's climbing structures, logs and hammocks, according to senior primate keeper Asaba Mukobi.

"It's exciting to see them so comfortable in a new environment," Mukobi said. "They started checking things out right away, and before long they were climbing and playing throughout their new home."

The lemurs have also settled into their home in the Africa area of the zoo. Though the lemurs' move is permanent, the chimpanzees will return to a discover a new and improved habitat once Primate Forest is completed.

"We've been planning this week's move for a long time," said Becca Van Beek, who oversees the zoo's primates. "The chimps are really enjoying this temporary change of scenery, but more importantly, they'll be moving to an amazing new home in Primate Forest."

Set to open in 2020, Primate Forest will provide an environment that supports natural chimp behaviors and gives visitors insight into their lives. The new habitat will include climbing structures, complex spaces for family groups and a large termite mound to encourage foraging behaviors, as well as enhanced opportunities for guests to see chimps in action.

In the 1970s and '80s, the zoo's pioneering work with chimpanzees helped forge a strong connection with renowned chimp expert and conservationist Jane Goodall, who visited several times, getting to know Chloe, Leah and Delilah — all current zoo residents.

At the time, Dr. Goodall was instrumental in helping the zoo find support to fund a large outdoor area to house all its chimpanzees together. The current Primate Forest project will build on those crucial improvements, creating an expansive, flexible space to give chimps the best life possible.

Primate Forest is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008 and generous contributions from private donors. With five of these projects now complete, the final three — new habitats for primates and polar bears and improved habitat for rhinos — will be managed as a single construction project to save construction costs and increase efficiency.

Zoo is in the homestretch of projects funded by a community-supported bond measure

At 1,200 psi, polar bears have one of the most powerful bites in the animal world, but some even stronger chomping took place at the Oregon Zoo this morning: A huge "concrete-eating" excavator with dinosaur-like jaws devoured the last section of wall at the zoo's former polar bear area, clearing the way for Polar Passage, a brand-new habitat set to open in 2020.

The chomping was part of a "demolition party" to celebrate the homestretch of a 10-year-long zoo makeover — replacing outdated facilities with new expansive and stimulating habitats, increasing access to education and improving sustainability.

Polar Passage is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008 and generous contributions from private donors. With five of those projects now complete, the final three — new habitats for polar bears and primates, and an improved habitat for rhinos — will be managed as a single construction project.

"They are all three right here in the middle of the zoo and they're under construction as a single project so we can be most efficient with time and construction costs," said zoo director Dr. Don Moore. "First, we're removing some of our oldest and most antiquated facilities — and we're pretty excited about that."

When the three projects are complete in 2020, around 40 percent of the zoo will have a new look.

At Polar Passage, polar bears will roam over rolling meadows and rock outcrops, and plunge into saltwater pools. Visitors can come eye to eye with the bears and witness conservation science in the making, as keepers demonstrate the zoo's work collecting critical data for scientists in the Arctic.

As construction continues, the zoo's old primate building will be demolished and replaced with a large, adaptable multi-level habitat for an expanded family of chimps. Chimps will have more choices about who they hang out with plus stimulating activities that change every day. Large viewing windows will bring visitors within inches of these highly intelligent and socially complex great apes and learn about meaningful actions they can take to conserve their wild habitats.

The third project is an expansion of the zoo's rhino habitat, which will also encompass the former hippo area. The new design will provide more space, better viewing and opportunities to support cooperative breeding efforts aimed at recovering some of the most endangered mammals on the planet.

Independent committee lauds Oregon Zoo's progress in report to Metro Council

The Oregon Zoo continues to deliver on promises made over a decade ago, when the region's voters approved a $125 million zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability, a citizen-oversight group reports.

At a meeting of the Metro Council last week, the Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee praised Metro and zoo staff for their effectiveness in implementing a host of projects made possible by the community-supported bond measure.

"The committee is pleased to report that in 2018, bond funds continued to be spent wisely, bond projects were advanced on schedule and within budget, and overall the bond program is on track to deliver on voter expectations," wrote committee chair Susan G. Hartnett in a letter introducing the major findings of the citizen group's report.

The committee's primary focus in 2018 was on the design and planning for the bond measure's final three projects — improved habitats for primates, rhinos and polar bears — which are being managed as a single construction project to save construction costs and increase efficiency. These projects broke ground in the fall and are scheduled for completion in winter of 2020–2021.

The committee commended the zoo for "reserving program contingency to ensure the final projects could be completed successfully despite the demand in the region's construction market," and also praised the "careful and strategic value engineering and monitoring of costs during the completion of the final projects without sacrificing animal welfare or conservation efforts."

When possible, the committee also sought to evaluate the success of completed projects, and it commended the zoo for the outcomes of a four-year elephant welfare study showing habitat improvements have delivered the intended results. "The results of the animal welfare study are gratifying," the report said. "The zoo is achieving its goals with Elephant Lands."

The Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee — an independent group of local professionals with expertise in animal welfare, sustainability, public budgeting, campus planning, social equity and construction — is charged with overseeing the implementation of zoo bond program projects "to ensure that structure, expenditures and defined goals are on track."
See the full oversight committee report.

It feels like summer and the Oregon Zoo is ready, with longer hours and a host of seasonal special events. Through Sept. 2, zoo gates stay open until 6 p.m., and guests may remain on grounds until 7. Along with more time to see the animals, zoo visitors will be treated to a summer chock full of events, shows and happenings.

Daily keeper talks are now taking place at Banfield Pet Hospital's Big Cat Care stage. Zoo animal-care experts demonstrate how they keep the lion pride healthy and discuss ways people can provide preventive care and enrichment for their domestic cat companions at home.

The zoo's popular summer camps, also presented by Banfield, start June 17. As of this writing, spots are available for most age groups, but camps tend to fill quickly as the end of school draws near. For more information, visit oregonzoo.org/camps.

Also beginning June 17, the zoo's popular Wildlife Live program, presented by Portland General Electric, returns with free-flight demonstrations featuring bird species from around the globe.

The zoo's summer concert series, presented by U.S. Bank, kicks off with Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles on June 14 and winds up Sept. 7 with a performance by the Oregon Symphony. Along the way, concertgoers can catch a variety of world-renowned artists. For more information and a full schedule, visit zooconcerts.com.

Twilight Tuesdays, presented by The Oregonian, take place every third Tuesday from June through August. Packed with a variety of al fresco dining opportunities, live music and activities for kids, the evenings offer a rare chance to enjoy the zoo in the beautiful twilight hours of summer.

And in July, the zoo debuts Roars & Pours, an evening series for the 21-and-over crowd, with drinks, food, games and plenty of wildlife. Events take place July 18, Aug. 21 and Sept. 11.

The Oregon Zoo drew praise from colleagues at zoos and aquariums across the continent this month, earning three prestigious awards from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums — one for conservation work on behalf of imperiled Northwest butterflies, one recognizing achievement in workforce and audience diversity, and a third for design innovation at the zoo’s new Education Center. The awards were announced last week at AZA’s annual conference, held this year in New Orleans.

“We are deeply honored,” said Dr. Don Moore, Oregon Zoo director. “These awards are some of the highest distinctions in the zoo world. They represent the respect of our peers from around the country.”

Since 2012, the Oregon Zoo has been recognized with 12 of the association’s major annual awards: six for conservation work on behalf of endangered species, two for excellence and innovation in exhibit design, one for environmental efforts in the zoo’s day-to-day operations, one for achievement in diversity, and two for marketing excellence. 

“Earning so many awards in such a short span of time is extraordinary,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “In 2012, when the Oregon Zoo also won three awards, our CEO traveled to Portland to tell the Metro Council just how exceptional that achievement was. And now they’ve done it once again. Oregonians can be very proud of their zoo — it’s one of the top zoos in the country.”

The Oregon Zoo’s species recovery effort for Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies earned honors in the North American Conservation Awards category for “exceptional efforts toward regional habitat preservation, species restoration and support of biodiversity.”

Though once abundant across the inland prairies of the Pacific Northwest, the Taylor's checkerspot has now lost 99 percent of its grassland habitat to successional plant growth, agriculture and urban development. Since joining the recovery effort in 2004, the zoo has provided more than 28,000 checkerspots for release in the south Puget Sound area, where some of the region’s best prairie habitat remains.

The zoo also received AZA’s Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity award, recognizing its “significant innovative, productive, far-reaching, program to promote diversity” and expand its circle of inclusion.

And the zoo’s new LEED Platinum education center — conceived to inspire young minds and serve as a regional hub for conservation — earned an innovation award in AZA’s Exhibit category, adding one more honor to its growing list of sustainable design accolades. The center was the fifth of eight major projects made possible by a community-supported bond measure promoting animal welfare, education and sustainability. 

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums — a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science and recreation — is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eleven other countries. In 1974, the Oregon Zoo became just the second zoo in the country to earn accreditation from the AZA, which currently accredits fewer than 250 zoos nationwide.

Chimp habitat will expand on improvements first helped along by Jane Goodall

Forty years ago, the Oregon Zoo's pioneering work with chimpanzees drew the attention of famed conservationist Jane Goodall, who visited Portland regularly, getting to know Chloe, Leah, Delilah and the other zoo chimps over a period of several years.

This fall, as walls for the zoo's new Primate Forest building were lifted into place by construction crews, zoo staff reflected on Portland's decades-long connection to Dr. Goodall, and looked ahead to a new era of care for chimpanzees and other primates.

"Back in those days, we sorely needed a large outdoor area to house all the chimpanzees together, and Dr. Goodall helped us find the funding for that," recalls former primate keeper Dave Thomas, who still works at the zoo leading educational tours. "Primate Forest is an extension of those crucial early improvements. It's so gratifying to watch it come together like this."

Set to open in late 2020, the new habitat will include climbing structures, complex spaces for family groups, and enhanced opportunities for enrichment and keeper interaction. Gone are the Eisenhower-era indoor portions of the old chimp habitat, considered state-of-the-art when the zoo first moved to its current site in 1959, but not so great by today's standards. With the new walls in place — 49 precast insulated panels, each 13 inches thick for energy efficiency and animal safety — work can begin on some of the habitat's amenities.

"It's always a thrill to see a project go from designs on paper to becoming a physical reality," said zoo construction manager Jim Mitchell. "With the walls up, you can begin to get a sense of what Primate Forest will eventually look like."

The chimps' indoor dayroom will feature 3-foot-deep natural flooring and two climbing structures — each 26 feet tall from floor to ceiling. A simulated termite mound will encourage natural foraging behavior, and five roof hatches will allow keepers to scatter food from above.

"Chimps are known for their complex social structures so we designed this habitat to accommodate single or multiple groups," said Becca Van Beek, who oversees the zoo's primate areas.

Many of the new features at Primate Forest — such as a stream, waterfall, large boulders, logs and more — were made possible through the Oregon Zoo Foundation's $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign, which is currently raising funds to support the zoo's robust programs in animal welfare, conservation and education. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-505-5494 or email do-more@oregonzoo.org.

Primate Forest is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008 and generous contributions from private donors. With five of these projects now complete, the final three — new habitats for primates and polar bears and an improved space for rhinos — are being managed as a single construction project to increase efficiency.

New chimp habitat expands on improvements first helped along by Jane Goodall

Construction of Primate Forest, the Oregon Zoo's ambitious new habitat for chimpanzees and orangutans, is nearly complete, and the chimps are already making themselves right at home.

Primate Forest opens to the public later this year, but in the meantime Portland's chimp troop will have a high-profile settling-in period. Last week, Chloe, Delilah, Leah and Jackson got their first look at the indoor "day room," and yesterday they explored one of two new outdoor yards. Both areas are visible from the main visitor pathway, and zoogoers may catch glimpses of the chimps — and hear some excited vocalizing — as everyone settles in.

"Leah was the first one into the new space," said keeper Colleen Reed. "She went straight to the top of one of the climbing structures. Everyone seemed very confident and relaxed. We heard lots of happy vocalizations, and they appeared to feel right at home."

Delilah even gave care staff a chimp's-eye look at the new space. She quickly took charge of a GoPro keepers had placed inside the new outdoor yard as enrichment, and chronicled much of the yesterday's events.

"It's especially gratifying to see Chloe interacting with the new space," Reed added. "She has such a long history here, and has been loved by so many people over the years."

Before coming to the Oregon Zoo in 1975, Chloe had been kept as a pet. She had only been around humans, and had to learn chimp behavior to be accepted by the others. Around that time, the zoo's pioneering work with chimpanzees drew the attention of famed conservationist Jane Goodall, who visited Portland regularly, getting to know Chloe, Leah, Delilah and the others.

This fall, as the chimp's moved into their new Primate Forest home, keepers reflected on Portland's decades-long connection to Dr. Goodall, and looked ahead to a new era of care for chimpanzees and other primates.

"Back in 1970s and '80s, Dr. Goodall helped the zoo find funding for a big outdoor area to house all the chimps here," Reed said. "And the new Primate Forest habitat is a natural outgrowth of those early developments. It's so great to see Chloe and the others enjoying that space."

Primate Forest features climbing structures, complex spaces for family groups, and enhanced opportunities for enrichment and keeper interaction. Gone are the Eisenhower-era indoor portions of the old chimp habitat, considered state-of-the-art when the zoo first moved to its current site in 1959, but not so great by today's standards.

The day room features natural flooring and a pair of 26-foot-tall, floor-to-ceiling climbing structures. A simulated termite mound encourages natural foraging behavior, and five roof hatches allow keepers to scatter food from above.

Many of the new features at Primate Forest — such as a stream, waterfall, large boulders, logs and more — were made possible through the Oregon Zoo Foundation's $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign, which is currently raising funds to support the zoo's efforts in advancing animal welfare, conservation and education. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-505-5494 or email do-more@oregonzoo.org.

Primate Forest is one of eight major projects funded by a community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008. The final three projects — new habitats for primates and polar bears and an improved space for rhinos — are being managed as a single construction project to increase efficiency.

With construction nearly finished, the zoo will preview its soon-to-open Polar Passage

Oregon Zoo visitors can get a rare bear's-eye look at history in the making Feb. 12-15.

With construction on the new Polar Passage nearly complete, zoo guests ages 12 and up are invited to hike through the soon-to-open habitat for a look inside Nora's new stomping grounds before she moves in. Tours are free with zoo admission, which must be purchased online in advance.

The rugged terrain inside the habitat, simulating the bears' native tundra region, may not be suitable for people with mobility challenges. All guests must be 12 or older and wear sturdy closed-toe shoes. Wheelchairs and strollers are not permitted. Construction fencing will be down, so even those who don't go inside can get a sneak peek from visitor areas.

Tours will not take place if weather events create unsafe conditions for visitors inside the habitat.

Polar Passage, which will open this spring, is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008. The final three projects — improved habitats for primates, rhinos and polar bears — are all set to open this year.

At Polar Passage, Nora will be able to roam over a variety of natural terrain, climb on large shade structures, play in piles of ice and plunge into deep saltwater pools. Visitors can come eye to eye with the bears and see conservation science in the making as keepers demonstrate the zoo's work collecting critical data for scientists in the Arctic.

"We've learned a lot about polar bears through the years," said Amy Cutting, who oversees the zoo's North America area. "And we're so grateful to the community for supporting us in putting that knowledge to work in the design of this amazing new habitat for Nora and other future bears."

Many of the new features at Polar Passage were made possible through the Oregon Zoo Foundation's $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign, which is currently raising funds to support the zoo's efforts in advancing animal welfare, conservation and education. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-505-5494 or email do-more@oregonzoo.org.

As climate change reduces Arctic sea ice, polar bears struggle to find and catch seals, making it harder for them and their cubs to survive. The species is classified as threatened under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, and the International Union for the Conservation of Nature's Species Survival Commission has designated the species as facing a high risk of global extinction.

The zoo is working with Polar Bears International, the U.S. Geological Survey and other partners on projects that will shed new light on how climate change is affecting polar bears in the Arctic. In 2011, Oregon Zoo polar bears became the first in the world to participate in voluntary blood draws— a significant advance that improves animal welfare, especially during veterinary treatment. Since then, the zoo has helped USGS researchers study how climate change is affecting the diets of wild polar bears and develop methods to remotely investigate how these predators are responding to the retreat of sea ice.

Fans of the playful polar bear can expect to see her at Polar Passage in April

Nora is back! After spending the past few years at Utah's Hogle Zoo, the 5-year-old polar bear returned to the Oregon Zoo late yesterday and is settling in behind the scenes as the zoo puts the finishing touches on its new Polar Passage habitat.

"Seeing Nora this morning was so exciting," said Nicole Nicassio-Hiskey, the zoo's senior marine life keeper, who worked closely with the young bear during her previous time in Portland. "She has grown into a beautiful bear. Her coat looks great and she seems very comfortable already — she has been taking dips and splashing around."

Nora, who lived here for close to a year in 2016 and 2017, will remain off-view during a brief acclimation period. Oregon Zoo visitors can expect to see her at Polar Passage in April.

"The entire team is super excited to have her back," Nicassio-Hiskey said. "We can't wait to see her explore her amazing new habitat."

Veterinarians at the Hogle Zoo and Oregon Zoo have been in close contact to discuss some of Nora's special needs. The 500-pound bear had metabolic bone disease as a cub, and she injured her leg in 2019, requiring surgery. While vets say she has healed well, Nora has permanent skeletal structural issues that give her an unusual gait and will require special management throughout her lifetime.

Nora was born Nov. 6, 2015, at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, and — when her mother began leaving her unattended in the den for prolonged periods of time —Columbus caregivers made the difficult but necessary decision to step in and hand-rear the tiny cub, feeding her from a bottle until she was old enough to eat on her own.

She came to Portland in September 2016, briefly spending time with the Oregon Zoo's geriatric polar bear Tasul, before moving to the Hogle Zoo, where caregivers introduced her to Hope, another female bear who is the same age as her.

Hope moved from Hogle to Chicago's Brookfield Zoo last month on a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for polar bears — a cooperative program that helps maintain a genetically diverse, self-sustaining population to guarantee the long-term future of these animals. Another female polar bear will join Nora at Polar Passage this fall.

In the meantime, Nora and her Oregon Zoo keeper staff can get reacquainted and familiar with the new habitat, which was conceived partly with her in mind.

Polar Passage, set to open next month, is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008. The final three projects — improved habitats for primates, rhinos and polar bears — are all set to open this year.

Many of the features at Polar Passage were funded through the Oregon Zoo Foundation's $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign, which supports zoo's animal welfare, conservation and education efforts. To learn more or to make a gift, call 503-220-2493 or email foundation@oregonzoo.org.

Committee lauds zoo's progress despite COVID-19 pandemic in report to Metro Council

Despite a global pandemic, the Oregon Zoo continues to deliver on promises made in 2008, when the region's voters approved a $125 million zoo bond measure promoting animal welfare and sustainability, a citizen oversight group reports.

At a meeting of the Metro Council yesterday, the Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee praised Metro and zoo staff for their effectiveness in implementing a host of projects made possible by the community-supported bond measure.

"The committee is pleased to report that in 2020, bond funds continued to be spent wisely, bond projects were advanced on schedule and within budget, and overall the bond program is on track to deliver on voter expectations," wrote committee chair Susan G. Hartnett in a letter introducing the group's major findings.

Hartnett noted that, despite the COVID-19 pandemic's devastating financial impact on the zoo, construction activities progressed on schedule, and last spring's extended public closure allowed work to proceed in the zoo's central core without concerns about how it would affect guest experience.

"Perhaps that is a bit of a silver lining to the challenges of the last year," Hartnett wrote.

With all of the eight major projects now substantially complete, the zoo is putting the finishing touches on the final three: improved habitats for primates, rhinos and polar bears.

"Unfortunately, due to the restrictions presented by COVID-19, the anticipated celebrations associated with opening new habitats did not take place," added Hartnett. "The committee remains hopeful that a public celebration of the final three habitats and the program as a whole can take place later in 2021."

All told, projects made possibly by the bond measure have now transformed nearly 40% of the zoo campus.

The Oregon Zoo Bond Citizens' Oversight Committee — a group of local professionals with expertise in animal welfare, sustainability, public budgeting, campus planning, social equity and construction — "provides independent citizen review to help ensure the public's money is well spent."

The committee commended the zoo on its habitat planning, which it said was enhanced by a clear commitment to animal welfare and alignment with the zoo's draft Integrated Conservation Action Plan.

The report also noted the zoo's achievements in hiring contractors certified by the State of Oregon's Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity, which works to increase opportunities for minority-owned, women-owned, service-disabled veteran–owned and emerging small businesses to land contracts on publicly funded projects. For the Education Center, nearly 30% of the contracted work (by dollar value) went to COBID-certified firms — almost double the project's aspiration goal.

Metro Deputy Council President Shirley Craddick applauded the group for its work in overseeing the bond's implementation and reporting back to the Metro Council and voters.

See the full oversight committee report.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo is also working to save endangered California condors, western pond turtles, Oregon silverspot and Taylor's checkerspot butterflies and northern leopard frogs.

The Oregon Zoo Foundation is leading efforts to fund critical needs of the zoo during its reduced-capacity operations. Donations to the foundation's $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign enhance new habitats for polar bears, primates and black rhinos while investing in the zoo's animal welfare, conservation and education efforts. To learn more, visit oregonzoo.org/hotoz.

King, an eastern black rhino from Chicago, moves in at the zoo’s new Rhino Ridge
 

The Oregon Zoo welcomed some big-time royalty recently: King, a 3,000-pound rhinoceros from Chicago’s Brookfield Zoo, arrived in town Sept. 10 and is making himself at home at the zoo’s new Rhino Ridge. 

While he’s still getting acclimated, guests may catch sight of King in the outdoor portions of the habitat as he explores his new digs. 

“If he’s outside, he’ll be hard to miss,” said Kelly Gomez, who oversees the zoo’s rhino area. “So far, he’s settling in really well, with a lot of attention and encouragement from his care staff.” 

King belongs to the eastern subspecies of black rhinoceros, which is considered critically endangered. In 2011, the western subspecies of black rhino was declared extinct.

“King represents a species that’s among the most endangered on the planet,” Gomez said. “Poaching and the illegal wildlife trade have wiped out 96% of the world’s black rhino population. In South Africa alone, we’re losing almost a rhino a day. Hopefully, we can help inspire a new chapter in the conservation of this incredible species.” 

To learn how small actions — everyday decisions about what to buy and do — can help protect this imperiled species, visit oregonzoo.org/help-rhinos. 

King was born at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo in 2013, and moved to the Brookfield Zoo in 2016. His transfer to Portland was recommended by the Species Survival Plan for black rhinos, a cooperative program among accredited zoos to promote genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of threatened and endangered species. A female rhinoceros is expected to join King at Rhino Ridge later this fall.

“We’ve gone from half a million to a few thousand rhinos left in the blink of an eye,” noted U.K. naturalist Steve Backshall. “While those left in the wild are ludicrously precious, the rhinos that are in zoos (which were bred there, born there and cannot ever be released into the wild) are of disproportionate importance to their kind.”

Rhino Ridge is one of eight major projects made possible by the community-supported zoo bond measure passed in 2008, and was financed entirely through a $1.2 million investment by donors to the Oregon Zoo Foundation’s $8.5 million Heart of the Oregon Zoo campaign. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world. To contribute, go to oregonzoo.org/donate.

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo is also working to save endangered California condors, western pond turtles, Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies and northern leopard frogs. To learn more, visit oregonzoo.org/recovery.

The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends. To plan your trip, go to oregonzoo.org/visit. For more information on getting to the zoo, visit Explore Washington Park.

Heidi Rahn, former bond program director, brings continuity and experience to role
 

The most popular ticketed attraction in the state has a new leader. Heidi Rahn, a lifelong wildlife advocate with a focus on sustainability, has been named the Oregon Zoo’s next director, Metro officials announced today.

 “I’m honored to be working with such a dedicated, passionate group of staff, volunteers and zoo supporters,” Rahn said. “Like most places, the Oregon Zoo has weathered some tough times these past couple of years, but the resilience and innovation I’ve seen here have been inspiring.”

Rahn previously worked at the zoo from 2013 to 2018, directing implementation of Metro’s $125 million zoo bond program and earning national acclaim for projects prioritizing animal welfare, conservation education and sustainable infrastructure. Under her leadership, the zoo opened some of its most iconic areas, including Condors of the Columbia, Elephant Lands and the Education Center. The latter two projects both earned awards for excellence in innovation and exhibit design from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The new director attributes her sustainability focus to a lifelong conservation ethic. She is passionate about creating a better future for wildlife, and feels a special connection to the zoo’s work on behalf of endangered sea otters and butterflies.

“My first internship was at the Center for Marine Conservation in San Francisco, analyzing policy to support sea otter conservation,” she said. “And I met my husband when we were working to protect habitat for the endangered Karner blue butterfly in Wisconsin.”

Rahn, who has been serving as interim director since Aug. 1, becomes the Oregon Zoo’s first permanent director since the departure of Don Moore, who retired last year after a 45-year career in animal-welfare science and wildlife conservation. Her previous tenure at the zoo overlapped with Moore’s, and officials say she brings both a wealth of experience and a welcome sense of continuity to her new role.

“Heidi is an ideal fit for Oregon Zoo director,” said Marissa Madrigal, Metro’s chief operating officer. “Her previous experience at the zoo, her passion for conservation, and her expertise in sustainable operations are just what we need as we rebuild from the losses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Rahn holds a bachelor’s degree in zoology and conservation biology from the University of Wisconsin and a master’s degree in business administration and sustainable operations from York University in Toronto. She received the Daily Journal of Commerce Women of Vision award in 2017 for efforts to promote opportunities for women and people of color in construction.

The Oregon Zoo is one of the most popular destinations in the Northwest and one of the most highly respected zoos in the country. In 1974, it became just the second zoo to earn accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, an honor it has maintained for more than 45 years. Since 2012, it has been recognized with 12 of the association’s major annual awards: six for conservation work on behalf of endangered species, two for excellence and innovation in exhibit design, one for environmental efforts in the zoo’s day-to-day operations, one for achievement in diversity, and two for marketing excellence. 

As part of the Metro family, the Oregon Zoo helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Committed to conservation, the zoo is working to save endangered California condors, western pond turtles, Oregon silverspot and Taylor’s checkerspot butterflies, and northern leopard frogs. To learn more, visit oregonzoo.org/recovery.

Support from the Oregon Zoo Foundation enhances and expands the zoo’s efforts in conservation, education and animal welfare. Members, donors and corporate and foundation partners help the zoo make a difference across the region and around the world. To contribute, go to oregonzoo.org/donate. 

The zoo is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. weekends. To plan your trip, go to oregonzoo.org/visit. For more information on getting to the zoo, visit Explore Washington Park.