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riverbanksSeptember-October 2007

Volume XXVI, Number 5Riverbanks is published six times a year for

members of Riverbanks Society by Riverbanks Zoological Park and Botanical Garden,

Columbia, South Carolina.

Riverbanks Park CommissionJames E. Smith, ChairmanLloyd LilesJan StampsBud TibshranyTracey WaringRobert P. Wilkins

Riverbanks Society Board of DirectorsJeremy G. Wilson, PresidentRobert G. Davidson, Vice-PresidentMary Howard, SecretaryBarbara K. Ryan, TreasurerH. Perry Shuping, Immediate Past PresidentMike BrenanWilliam H. Davidson IIThomas N. FortsonSteve GravesGreg LapointeJonathan H. NasonC.C. Rone, Jr.James S. WelchDr. Anny ZalesneDon F. Barton, Director Emeritus

Riverbanks Senior StaffSatch Krantz Executive DirectorKim M. Benson Director of Human ResourcesGeorge R. Davis Director of FinanceEd Diebold Director of Animal Collections & ConservationKevin Eubanks Director of Guest ServicesEric Helms Director of Risk Management & Facilities Melodie Scott-Leach Director of HorticultureTommy Stringfellow Director of MarketingKeith Benson, DVM Senior VeterinarianAndy Cabe Curator of HorticultureJohn Davis Curator of MammalsScott Pfaff Curator of HerpetologyMartin Vince Curator of Birds

Riverbanks Hours of OperationOpen daily except Thanksgiving day & Christmas day9am – 5pm Daily9am – 6pm Weekends during Daylight Savings

Subscriptions to Riverbanks are $24 per year.Members of Riverbanks Society are entitled toone free subscription along with free admissionand guest passes, discounts at Zoo & Garden gift shops, invitations to special events and much more.To subscribe to Riverbanks or to join the Society,visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 x1111.

Riverbanks Magazine StaffDixie Kaye Allan Executive Editor/Art DirectorMonique Jacobs EditorDargan Davis Contributing WriterAshley Walker Graphic ArtistLarry Cameron Photographer

Front cover: African LionPhotograph by Larry Cameron

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariumsand a member of the American Association of Botanical Gardens and Arboreta.

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Inside scoopThe Observation Deck 3 In The Know 20Riverbanks 4-1-1 26

EssentialsPlan Your Visit 6Shoots and Blooms 10Riverbanks Adventures and Class Calendar 14Junior Zookeepers 23

FeaturesSouth Carolina’s Pride 4Learn what Riverbanks is doing to protect African lions

Fins or Scales? Trick or Treat 8Visit the Aquarium Reptile Complex to see some real creepy crawlies

Riverbanks ZOOfariDiscover treasures from around the world at the wildest fundraiser in town

A Face Only a Zookeeper Could Love 18Find out why it’s so important to breed, study and rehabilitate vultures

Beyond Hollies 22Find out why it’s so important to breed, study and rehabilitate vultures

Botanical Garden Bulb Sale 28Brighten up your garden with these botanical beauties

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The observation deck

As a governmental agency, Riverbanks operates on a fiscal year which ends on June 30.

I am pleased to announce that we ended the 2006-2007 fiscal year with just under 900,000 visitors, the fourth highest attended year in Zoo and Garden history. I recently wrote a letter to the members of Richland and Lexington County Councils, Columbia City Council and com-

munity leaders pointing out the significance of this incredible milestone. Some of the highlights of the letter follow:

What eats 3 tons of hot dogs, consumes 191,000 gallons of soft drinks and uses 650 miles of toilet paper, all in a single year? The nearly 900,000 thousand people who visited Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in the past 12 months.

Columbia is home to one of South Carolina’s biggest tourist attractions (maybe the biggest) and one of North America’s best zoological park –Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. As evidence, look no further than the fact that since opening in 1974 Riverbanks has attracted over 21 million visitors.

You might find it helpful to think of our attendance in terms of University of South Carolina home football games. Each year, more people visit Riverbanks than 10 sell-outs at Williams-Brice Stadium. Or, you may wish to consider that Riverbanks has averaged just under 3,000 visitors every day for the past 12 months. And these are not just Columbia-area residents. Last year alone, Riverbanks attracted over 120,000 out-of-state and international visitors.

How do we do this year after year? We provide our guests with a high-quality educational and recreational experience and strategically combine that effort with a professional marketing and public relations program. We believe that Riverbanks stands as testament to the fact that residents of the Midlands support quality. They are proud of their zoo and they support it by visiting in record numbers.

No matter how good the Zoo and Garden, an aggressive PR and marketing program is vital to maximizing attendance. Riverbanks has devoted considerable financial and human resources over the past 25 years in order to insure that our story is told to the widest possible audience.

A strong annual attendance is not just about bragging rights. For Riverbanks, it is vital to our financial wellbeing. The majority of the Zoo and Garden’s $8.7 million annual operating budget is funded through visitor-related income such as admis-sion fees and the sale of food and gifts. An additional $1 million in operating support is provided by members of Riverbanks Society. The remainder of Riverbanks’ operating budget, about $2.5 million, is provided by Lexington and Richland County Councils. The Riverbanks Park Commission joins me in thanking the members of both councils for their continued support of our operating budget. By combining earned revenue with private and public support, Riverbanks stands as testament to the fact that a true public/private partnership can be attained.

And there is always the matter of economic impact. Nonprofit cultural institutions are constantly challenged to justify public support based upon economic impact. Over the years I have tried to avoid the economic impact debate because I feel that there is no one model that produces consistent or credible results for differing organizations. Instead, I sometimes answer this question with the following fact: This year, Riverbanks Zoo and Garden will have almost as many visitors as EdVenture, the Columbia Museum of Art and the South Carolina State Museum combined and doubled.

After more than 30 years at Riverbanks, I find these facts and statistics almost impossible to comprehend. And I feel certain that none of this would be possible without the steadfast, ongoing support of our Riverbanks Society members (cur-rently 33,000 households strong). Thanks to you, our Society is one of the top zoo support organizations in the Southeast. I look forward to creating more milestones with your support.

Mission statement

It is our mission to foster appreciation and concern for all living things.

We are dedicated to providing:

u the highest standards of care for our animal and plant collections.u a diverse educational and high-quality recreational experience for all Riverbanks visitors.

u all the resources at our disposal for the conservation of the earth’s flora and fauna.

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By – Sue Pfaff, Assistant Mammal Curator

southcarolina’s

pride

When most of us dream about the perfect zoo, we often envision the most charismatic mammals, like “lions, tigers, and bears, oh my!” Riverbanks is proud to host many animal species that range from tiny pygmy sunfish all the way up to 8,000-pound African elephants. When the Zoo first opened in 1974, some of the most requested animals were the big cats—lions and tigers. To this day, the pride of African lions at Riverbanks continues to maintain its popularity.

The Setting Before we get into the really “fun stuff” that’s happen-ing right now with our three African lions, perhaps a bit of background information might be helpful to put things into perspective. Over the years, Riverbanks has hosted 19 African lions. They flourished under our care, and one pair success-fully bred and reared three cubs. The cubs were transferred to other zoological destinations (accredited by the Associa-tion of Zoos and Aquariums) to contribute their valuable genetic material to the North American captive population. However, in the early 1990s it became apparent that captive lions needed to be managed more intensely. Although wild lions were plentiful within Africa’s National Park boundaries, biologists discovered obvious warning signs that lion popula-tions in Kenya, Zambia, Tanzania, Botswana and South Africa were changing. Since lions are the largest cats and the only felids that live in large social groups, they have been deemed as an ecologically demanding species. They require healthy prey populations, which necessitates great expanse of open wilderness. As a result, conflicts between humans and predators are inevitable.

The results are sobering: lion populations are diminishing quickly. As well-liked as these big cats are, it is difficult to imagine that the need for conservation efforts in support of wild lions is necessary. The International Cat Specialist Group responded promptly to this need, however, by developing a plan for saving wild African lions. A critical element of the plan was to protect vast areas of wild land. The urgency for immediate actions suddenly fell into the hands of zoos as well. That’s where Riverbanks stepped up to the plate. To begin this process, a cooperative breeding program was established for African lions. It was designed to establish hus-bandry guidelines and coordinate breeding activities through genetic analysis using an intricate database. Only African lions with known origins, traceable to a specific location in Africa, are included in the proposed captive breeding popula-tion. Many zoos participate in these management programs to ensure genetic variation and population stability. Follow-ing considerable research through these programs, it was soon discovered that full-blooded African lions were far and few between. Currently, there are only 115 pedigreed African lions in 39 North American zoos. In the early 1990s, Riverbanks decided to quit “lion” around and pounced into action by importing lion cubs from Africa. Our South Carolina pride was soon established, and we were fortunate to have three lion cubs born in 1993. Since then, we have worked with the lion population manager and received two lionesses from the Knoxville Zoo and a young male from Sedgwick County Zoo.

Riverbanks Zoo & Garden is home to three African lions. Currently, there are only 115 pedigreed African lions in 39

North American zoos.

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The Players Let’s introduce the players. Brynn and Lindsey are sisters who maintain a very tight bond. For most visitors, they look identical, but the keepers can easily tell them apart by their personalities and facial markings. Lindsey has a larger black spot on her nose and black rims on her ear tips; Brynn is slightly leaner and has a calmer demeanor. The siblings are six years old and have been approved to breed. The male is named Zuri. He is three years younger than the females and had to mature both physically and psychologi-cally before his introduction to the lionesses. It took only a year and a half for him to achieve the right size (approximate-ly 350 pounds) and maturity for us to feel comfortable to begin the daunting task of introducing these large carnivores. The mammal keepers began the visual introduction process between Zuri and Lindsey on May 9, 2007. Large carnivore introductions are notoriously demanding and often cause staff to be on edge realizing the potentially lethal outcome if things go array. For the first seven weeks, affiliative behaviors were observed with increasing frequency. Lindsey, Brynn and Zuri spent most of the day lying next to each other, licking each other’s faces through the mesh, and lounging around with their bellies up and their minds at ease. When these interactions were the norm, the physical introduction began. Riverbanks Zoo’s management staff met on numerous occasions and communicated with the captive population manager when the lions appeared ready to take the plunge. Although we all agreed that the lions were ready for the next step, the staff was excited yet apprehensive. With Brynn in visual contact with Zuri and Lindsey, the shift doors be-tween Zuri and Lindsey’s off-exhibit dens were slowly opened and the physical introduction began on June 28. What a rush! Lions don’t simply meow—they roar! The barn was rockin’ and rollin’, and when vocalizations finally subsided, both lions were in one piece and panting while recuperating from their unexpected exertion. They appeared to share our excitement and apprehensions, too. Excerpt from the daily cat/bear keeper reportsTuesday, May 9, 2007AM: Visual introductions between Zuri (Zoo ID# 9115) and Lindsey (Zoo ID # 7173) began. Lindsey was moved from the cubbing dens to the main holding den #2. Zuri was housed in den #3. Both were separated by an empty den with a mesh barrier. Some minor aggressive behaviors (ears back, posturing, charging the mesh) and vocalizations occurred. During this period, Brynn was managed separately in the cubbing dens during the evening and on exhibit duringthe day.Additional comments: Brynn was acting more persistent to gain access to where Zuri is housed. Time spent near exhibit shift guillotine has increased.Tuesday, May 21, 2007AM: Zuri (Zoo ID # 9115) was shifted on exhibit and Lindsey (Zoo ID # 7173) and Brynn (Zoo ID # 7172) remained in dens #2 and #3 with visual access. Vocalizations were steady at the beginning of the separation, but became less frequent throughout the day. The lionesses remained neutral towards each other and exhibited normal pride social behaviors. They explored Zuri’s den and quickly picked up

his scent. Zuri paced and interacted with his boomer ball while on exhibit. He occasionally banged on the exhibitguillotine door.PM: Zuri was shifted off exhibit at 3pm into den #1. Brynn was given access to the back animal hallway and exhibit for the evening. Lindsey remained in den #2. Zuri and Brynn were roaring and batting at the mesh towards each other for approximately 3 minutes, then behaviors were calm. Friday, July 6, 2007 Introductions continued between lions Zuri (Zoo ID# 9115), Lindsey (Zoo ID# 7173), and Brynn (Zoo ID # 7172). Intros began with Zuri in den #1, Lindsey in den #3 and Brynn in den #4. At 10am, the shift door between dens #1 and #2 and dens #2 and #3 was slowly opened. Lindsey was on the bench in den #3. Zuri approached the den slowly and then walked underneath the bench. Lindsey then jumped on his back. Zuri reacted by running, but Lindsey grabbed his back left leg and hip. Zuri received a few small puncture wounds from this encounter. Lindsey initiated the aggres-sion, yet she moved away from Zuri and ran into den #2. For the rest of the intro, Zuri remained cautious and settled in den #3. Lindsey went to den #1 and lay down. After a few minutes, Lindsey approached Zuri in den #3, but he remained very still. She lay in front of him and played with pieces of phone book. Zuri attentively watched her. Lindsey elicited some breeding behaviors (lying on her side near Zuri, flicking her tail). Over time, Lindsey began to move towards Zuri. They touched noses and took some time to smell each other’s faces. When Lindsey went to stand, Zuri spooked and they both growled at each other, then laid back down in the same stall. The growling caused Brynn to begin roaring and Lindsey joined in, Zuri remained still. Over the next half-hour Lindsey continued to move from den #3 to den #1; she rolled on the floor and continued to tear up the phone book. Zuri remained in den #3. Once Lindsey had settled in den # 1, the shift door was slowly closed between dens #1 and #2 and #2 and #3, and all three lions remained calm.

We have been thrilled and relieved that the physical intro-duction with these magnificent animals has been progress-ing nicely. We will continue collecting behavioral data and making appropriate husbandry decisions for their success. Our goal is to create a win-win-win situation for all three members of the pride. Zuri will continue to mature and gain confidence with his new role as the dominant and protective male. Lindsey and Brynn have already begun to accept Zuri into their deeply rooted relationship. Realizing that there may be many chal-lenges to overcome in the future, our pride is slowly but surely forming. The management team will take one day at time, moving cautiously and patiently, to accommodate the needs of each pride member. We are hoping that before too long visitors will be able to enjoy the pride as a whole—with Zuri, Brynn and Lindsey lazily “lion” around in their African savanna enclosure. We acknowledge that the success of the South Carolina’s pride lies in our hands. The future of both captive and wild African lions truly depends on our actions.

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Mark Your CalendarsSeptember 2007

5 First Thursdays in the Garden 6 SCE&G ZooView webcam featuring the winner of the Mystery Animal Contest15 Enrichment Day22 Riverbanks ZOOfari: Treasures From Around the World

October 2007 4 First Thursdays in the Garden SCE&G ZooView webcam featuring the runner-up from the Mystery Animal Contest 12-14, 19-21 & 26-30 Boo at the Zoo

November 2007 1 SCE&G ZooView webcam features zebras/ostriches 17 Fall Bulb Sale22 Riverbanks closed – Thanksgiving Day23-30 Lights Before Christmas

December 20071-23 and 26-30 Lights Before Christmas6 SCE&G ZooView webcam features the Indo-Pacific coral reef tank25 Riverbanks closed – Christmas Day For more information about these and otherupcoming events, visit www.riverbanks.org.

plan your visit

Many of you will make a gift to charity this year, and we ask that you consider making that investment

in Riverbanks Zoo and Garden. Through a planned gift, you help to guarantee that future generations will enjoy the magnificent animals and plants at Riverbanks, while helping accomplish your own

goals of future financial security or disbursement of your estate. Planned gifts may include gifts of cash, stock or securities, life insurance or IRAs, trusts or

bequests. Should you have any questions regarding the advantages of planned giving, please feel free to

call 803.779.8717 x1101.

Ever wish you could be the captain of your own ship? Wonder what it’s like to maneuver

an underwater vessel? Check out the new sub-voyager explorer that has made its home in the Indo-Pacific coral reef tank inside the Aquarium Reptile Complex. This miniature

submarine is docked and ready to guide you on a fascinating undersea adventure. For $1 you can take the helm and navigate around

the 55,000-gallon tank filled with sharks, moray eels, a stringray and more!

Sub-Voyager Submerges the Imagination

u u u Plan Your Gifts u u u

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Enrichment Day l Watch Wildlife in ActionSaturday, September 15 l 10am–4pm

What is enrichment? It’s our way of encouraging animals to behave naturally by introducing avariety of activities, objects, sounds or scents into their environments. Every day the animals at

Riverbanks are enriched in their exhibits. In their off-exhibit areas, the animals are given artificialenrichment, such as boxes and papier-mâché, for physical and mental stimulation.

On Enrichment Day, artificial enrichment will be brought out onto to the animal exhibits somembers and guests may have the opportunity to watch wildlife in action! Scheduled animalenrichment sessions and hands-on “people enrichment” activities will take place throughoutthe Zoo. A schedule of timed events will be posted at the Zoo and online. Please make plans

to join us and discover the thrill of enrichment!

Silent Auction l Scoop on Poop l Tattoo StationsLive Animal Encounters

Gorilla l Meerkat l Hyena l Sea Lion l Penguin l ElephantGiraffe l Zebra l Hippo l Lemur l Tiger

Lion l Alligator l Grizzly Bearswww.riverbanks.org

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Fins or scales? Trick or Treat!

Ah, Halloween. I love this time of year, especially here at Riverbanks. Boo at the Zoo always embodies the spirit of the season for me: the cool night air, children disguised as their heroes or favorite TV characters, the smell of sugar in the air, the sound of bubbles as a fish swims by…. Did I lose you there? Let me explain. You see, my love for Halloween is actually the reason Ibecame an aquarist. Why just a quick tour around theAquarium Reptile Complex (ARC) will give any visitor a whopping dose of creepy crawlies, costume lovers, full moons, cats and bats. Hop on my handy broomstick,and I’ll show you around. There is no bigger costume lover than a sea urchin. To feel protected, the urchin will disguise itself with pieces of gravel and other tiny rocks small enough to carry. This echinoderm (meaning “spiny skin”) uses hundreds of sticky tube feet to hold on to its disguises, as well as to move around and hold onto rocks while grazing on algae.

One of the most mesmerizing attractions in the ARC is theexhibit featuring dozens of purple full moons. These are actu-ally moon jellyfish. They are found in oceans throughout the world, including off the coast of South Carolina. Although jellies sometimes get a bad reputation, moon jellies are actually very human friendly. That is to say, the moon jellyfish’s sting is not strong enough to penetrate human skin. In fact, Riverbanks’ aquarists have to put their hands and arms in the exhibit on a daily basis in order to clean the tank and feed the jellies. Deep in the depths of the Pacific Ocean near the coast of Japan lives a true sea monster. This animal can also be found looming in our cold marine gallery. The largest known spe-cies of crab, the giant Japanese spider crab reaches a whop-ping 13 feet in length, making it truly an impressive sight. Because of its decorative shell and tasty legs, the spider crab’s natural population is beginning to wane. In an effort to protect the extraordinary creature, it is now illegal to capture

By – Christine Foster, Aquarist and Jennifer Rawlings, Senior Aquarist

Above: giant sea urchin

Just in time for Halloween, a quick tour around the Aquarium Reptile Complex will give visitors a whopping dose of creepy crawlies, costume lovers, full moons, bats and cats.

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the giant Japanese spider crab in the spring when spawning season begins. This playful arthropod can be seen on exhibit crawling along the rockwork or cleaning its shell. The large Indo-Pacific exhibit is a great place to watch some truly scary fish. One such fish looks like it’s wearing a set of false vampire teeth. It’s called the Niger triggerfish. Like all triggerfish, it has extremely powerful jaws that it uses to crush food like hard-shelled clams and crabs. This ultimate trick-or-treater will search along the bottom and blow water at the sand or gravel to uncover these hidden goodies. This fiercely protective fish will use its jaws to protect its territory, too. Even the divers are not immune to the territoriality of the triggerfish; you may sometimes see it trying to “attack” the divers’ wetsuits. While you’re watching the Niger triggerfish, you may also spy a hair-raising batfish. Batfish travel in large schools or groups. You may notice that these large, round fish some-times have scars and abrasions. They really like tactile stimulation, meaning they enjoy rubbing up against rocks and other structures in the exhibit. Sometimes, batfish will interact with divers by swimming through their hair. We find another Halloween representative back on our home turf, in the South Carolina gallery. The blue catfish can

be found patrolling the bottom surfaces of South Carolina’s rivers and lakes, including Lake Murray. This large catfish has small sensory organs, called barbels, beneath its mouth that allow it to sift through mud and silt for goodies and treats (but not candy). Even though this species is found in South Carolina waters, it is a non-native species that was purposely introduced for stocking purposes. Fish aren’t the only creatures that get into the holiday spirit. Some reptiles show off their Halloween colors, liter-ally, by displaying a black and orange coloration. Others, like the hellbender (also known as the “devil dog”), can secrete a slime that some predators find noxious. Gila monsters have specially grooved teeth that can emit powerful neurotoxic venom; however, due to the position of these teeth, venom is not always injected into their victims. Be careful walking through the pumpkin patch where you may run into a corn snake; corn snakes are actually normally docile creatures that feed on rats. Perhaps one of the most stunning and terrifying creepy crawlies in nature is the Indian ornamental tarantula. This fast and extremely aggressive predator will chase almost any size prey. When the tarantula finally overpowers its prey, the

large, hairy spider will inject its victim with special venom that liquefies its internal organs. Then, using specialized straw-like fangs, the tarantula will suck out its prize. The centipede may seem harmless, but this venomous insect can cause intense pain for humans with a single bite. The centipede does not have fangs, so the venom is injected using modified front legs. Gluttony is a centipede’s middle name. While chowing down on one meal (mainly insects), it will hold several other meals captive with its back legs. These animals are only the tip of the jack-o-lantern in the ARC. Every turn in the building will expose a new species ready to thrill your inner trick-or-treater. So get in the spirit, throw on a costume and come down to say “BOO” to all your favorites at Riverbanks. But be on the lookout for a girl dressed as a triggerfish…. Trick or treat!

Above: Gila monsterLeft: blue catfish

Below: corn snake

Meta Whitlock and Anna Dickson are quite a pair. Both of them have had a lifelong interest in gardening. They began at Riverbanks as volunteers; both had retired from their “previ-ous lives” when their love of being outside and dirty led them to working in the Botanical Garden. Meta worked for the state retirement system for 30 years, and she always knew she would do something with garden-ing when she retired. Tired of sitting behind a desk, she began to volunteer with the horticulture staff five years ago. Owning 50 acres in Orangeburg, she also grows and sells cut flowers at the Aiken farmer’s market. Meta became a part-time employee at Riverbanks last November. After 20 years as a Montessori teacher, Anna Dickson “was not ready to do nothing.” She had started volunteering with the zookeepers in 2001 and four years later learned of a need for volunteers in the greenhouse. After completing the Master Gardener course in 2006, she was officially hired by Riverbanks. Now she spends two days a week in the green-houses and one day in the Garden. Meta and Anna recently created an herb bed across from the gazebo in the Walled Garden. This has been Meta’s favor-ite project so far, since she was involved in the entire process of designing, plant selection and planting. She also doesn’t

mind weeding the herb garden because when she bumps up against the herbs their various fragrances waft through the air. Anna, on the other hand, enjoys being able to use the herbs and experiment with their flavors. In addition to their new herb garden, these ladies take care of the Knot and Texture Garden, Art Garden, Play Garden and a newly planted shade garden in between the Herb and Win-ter gardens. The Shade Garden is full of Ligularia, Solomon’s Seal and a variety of hostas. “We saw the name ‘Elvis Lives’ on one hosta, and we just had to have it!” exclaims Meta, although her personal favorite is “Praying Hands” because the leaves fold upright like hands in prayer. Anna loves working in the Knot Garden, watching it grow and form a distinct shape. “Most people don’t appreciate the labor involved in maintaining the knot”, which can take 2–3 hours to prune by hand. Since she also works in the green-house, she has the pleasure of sowing plants by seed, and watching them grow 2–3 feet tall. “Sometimes I don’t even recognize them,” she claims. But a sign hanging in the green-house reveals her true sentiment: A thriving plant can usually attribute its success to a happy upbringing. As for their favorite plants, Anna likes anything yellow.She loves the Kerria japonica in the spring, and the shape of Edgeworthia in the winter. In the Herb Garden, the dark yellow of the Ridolfa segetum ‘Goldspray’ grabs her attention. Meta focuses more on how things smell. She favors the lemon verbena in the Knot Garden and the scented geraniums in the herb bed. They both agree on one thing: don’t over care for your plants. The less attention you give them, the better they will thrive, especially with herbs. Once they are established, don’t over water. Just water deep and seldom; then sit back and watch them flourish.

shoots and blooms Fall Gardening Tips from the

Urban Horticulture Center

Thanks to Terence Kemper,Lexington County Master Gardener

u Fall is the time to plan your spring-blooming bulb garden. Purchase bulbs in October. The Riverbanks Bulb Saleis a good place to get quality bulbs for the southern climate. Plant daffodils in November, but wait to plant other spring-flowering bulbs until soil temperatures are below 60°F,usually late December or early January. u Lift your tender bulbs before frost. In the Piedmont, store them in a cool, dry, dark place until spring; in the Coastal Plain, mulch them in place for winter protection.

u Plant your fall and winter garden now. Sow seeds or plant hardy annuals like calendula, calliopsis and larkspur. Include petunias (P. integrifolia), pansies, foxglove, ornamentalkale and cabbage. Herbs like rosemary, oregano, sage and cilantro, and vegetables like Swiss chard, broccoli andBrussels sprouts may be planted at this time. u Divide your crowded perennials and replant now. Incorpo-rate a liberal amount of organic matter during replanting. u Have your soil analyzed and apply any recommendation regarding the application of lime during the fall. u Add dead leaves and branches to your compost pile,preferably mulched. u Harvest tender crops before the first frost. Pumpkins, winter squash and sweet potatoes need to be harvested at this time.

Gardener’s Profileby Amanda Segura, Garden Education Specialist

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Helianthus angustifolius (swamp sunflower)

Swamp sunflower is a terrific perennial plant for the late summer garden. The 2-inch golden yellow flowers are aharbinger of the coming autumn. Their 3-week flowering period coincides with mums and asters. The only drawback to this plant is its giant status. Reaching over 10 feet as a maximum height, swamp sunflower can overwhelm a small garden. Staking is a necessity unless you want the plant to flop. Many gardeners cut the foliage back by half in July totry and reduce the maximum height. Plant this helianthus in full sun with adequate water, and you will have a fantastic fall plant.

Helianthus salicifolius ‘First Light’ (dwarf swamp sunflower)

This new dwarf swamp sunflower is perfect for the smallgarden. ‘First Light’ is not only dwarf (reaching only 3–4 feet) but also sturdy. There are none of the staking concerns as with H. angustifolius. The best part about this cultivar is the flowers. Although the same size and color of other swamp sunflowers, they appear in abundance. Huge masses of golden daisy-like flowers burst from the innocuous stems in September. The only drawback is that sometimes the number of flowers is so massive that the stems can tend to crack from the weight. However, this concern should not keep you from trying this remarkable new plant in your garden.

A worm compost bin is a simple and inexpensive way to turn kitchen scraps into high quality compost. Try these five easy steps to start a compost bin at home.

Step 1: Get a Bin.All you need is a shallow box, about a foot deep, with a lid. It can be built from wood, a plastic storage tote or foam cooler. The bin should have ventilation holes on the sides and bottom and one square foot of surface area for each pound of food added per week. Therefore, a 2’ x 4’ bin can process 8 pounds of food scraps a week, the average amount produced by a family of four.

Step 2: Fill the bin with bedding.The bedding should be loose and moist like a wrung-out sponge. A mix of the following materials works well: shred-ded newspaper/paper, potting soil, peat moss, untreated coarse sawdust or fall leaves.

Step 3: Add worms.Use a pound of red wigglers (found at bait and tackle shops).

Step 4: Feed the worms.Bury food scraps such as fruit and vegetable peels, bread and coffee grinds with filters. Place food in a different spot each time to encourage the worms to move. Cover with a piece of moist newspaper if fruit flies appear. Do not feed meat, cheese or oily products to your worms.

Step 5: Harvest.After two to three months, the bin will be full of dark, rich soil. Empty the bin on a sheet of paper or plastic in the sun-light, creating several small piles. Let sit for about 15 minutes and then remove the top from each pile until you see worms. Repeat the process until the worms are at the bottom of each pile. Place the worms in fresh bedding in the bin. Use the castings you harvest as a fertilizer for the garden or contain-ers. Sprinkle it around the base of the plants or mix it with water to make a compost tea. Worm castings are organic, high in nutrients and non-burning, making them easily absorbed by plants.

How to Build a Vermi-Compost Bin

Sunflowers and More Sunflowers

For more fun plant comparisons such as these, check out the Donny and Marie Show lecture in November.We will compare cultivars, old and new, and show how they harmonize in the garden.

For details, visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 x1799.

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Swing to the Beat of the Music

Bid on Rare Auction Items

Sample Exotic Foods

Enjoy Live Entertainment

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Saturday, September 22 l 7:00pm

$75 Riverbanks Members, $85 General Public

To purchase tickets or for more information,visit www.riverbanks.org or call 803.779.8717 x1601.

Reservations requested by noon, September 14

Safari or Casual Attire

Journey Through the Wilds of Riverbanks

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riverbanks adventuresur award-winning education programs are a great way to learn more about the fascinating life at Riverbanks Zoo & Garden!

All programs are $7 per person unless otherwise noted. If you are not a Riverbanks member, a general admission ticket will be required in addition to the program fee, as admission is not included in the price of ZOOventure or Garden Programs.

Programs for children ages 2 –4 are just 45 minutes and include: arts and crafts, story time, games, live animal encounters and Zoo walks. These programs require one adult to attend with each child at no extra charge.

As always, we are interested in your comments and suggestions and invite you to call the Education Department for all ZOOventure programs at 803.779.8717 x1400, 9am to 4:30pm, Tuesday through Friday. For Garden programs, call 803.779.8717 x1799. A registration form is below or you can register online at www.riverbanks.org.

We look forward to seeing you at Riverbanks!

O

PROGRAM REGISTRATION FORM

Participant’s Name:______________________________________________ Age:_______ Parent/Registrant’s Name:_______________________________________________________

Street Address:_______________________________________________________________ City:_______________________________ State:________________ Zip:_________________

Member #:____________________ Email:________________________________________ Phone # (h):__________________________ Work/Cell #:____________________________

Please make checks payable to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden. Mail completed form and payment to: Riverbanks Zoo & GardenAttn: Education DepartmentPO Box 1060Columbia, SC 29202-1060or register online at www.riverbanks.org Program(s) Date Time Fee

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Program(s) Date Time Fee

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Class RegistrationE Preregistration is required for all activities. E Please complete the registration form.E No registrations will be accepted by phone.E Register early. Space is limited.E Upon receipt of registration and payment, a confirmation will be mailed.E If an activity is filled, your check will be returned.

Cancellations and RefundsE Written cancellation must be received at least two weeks before the scheduled program date in order to receive a refund or reschedule your reservation. No refunds will be issued for cancellations made less than two weeks before the program date. E Riverbanks reserves the right to cancel or reschedule any activity.E A full refund will be issued if Riverbanks cancels any activity.

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ZOOventure ProgramsThe Bear Necessities (ages 2-4)What do grizzly bears do in the winter? How do polar bears live in such cold areas? Learn all about bears. Guaranteed to be a “beary” good time!Doodlebug Jubilee (ages 2-4)Come be a part of the Doodlebug Club! Join in for fun crafts and make your own doodlebug passports to keep track of all the animals you learn about during the year. Eeky Freeky (ages 2-6)Who’s the scariest animal of them all? Join us for a spine chilling time and learn about some spooktacular animals. Happy H-owl-o-ween!Family On Safari – Overnight Camp (ages 5-adult)Experience the zoo that few get to see, the Zoo at night! Riverbanks staff are your guides on an unforgettable night of games, activities and behind-the-scenes tours. Families should bring their own sleeping gear, tents and sense of adventure. Price includes light snack and continental breakfast. $35/person – members, $40/person – general publicFluke ‘n Flippers (ages 2-4)Join us in learning which of our flippered friends is larger than any dinosaur ever was, making it the largest animal that has ever existed. This class is sure to be a whale of a good time. Fuzzy Wuzzies (ages 2-4)Fuzzy Wuzzy was a bear, but there are even more fuzzy creatures out there. Come learn about our fuzzy animals, and meet the softest mammal in the world!

It’s a Jungle in Here (ages 2-4)Rainforests are home to nearly half of the earth’s living things. Learn about animals that live up high and animals that live down low, in a climate where it’s never too hot or never too cold. The Long Necks (ages 2-4)Look up! With a neck so long, what does a giraffe eat and how does it sleep? Join us in learning about the tallest living mammal.The Mane Man (ages 2-4)The lion is known as the king of beasts, but what makes this animal so special? Come join our pride for a roarin’ good time!My, What Big Teeth You Have! (ages 2-6)Can you guess what animal’s teeth grow non-stop and up to 5 inches each year? Or, what animals leave a wet scent trail wherever they walk? Join in this class about rodents and learn about this mysterious animal. Night Hike (ages 7-12)Nature at night! Take a journey with us on a nocturnal adventure to learn about survival adaptations of animals such as camouflage, hearing, sight, odors and much more.Pilgrim Party (ages 2-4)It’s turkey time! Come participate in a party to celebrate our zoo’s favorite turkey, Mr. Fusco. Pony Care 101 (ages 8-12 ONLY)Join us at the Farm to meet our Shetland ponies. If you want to know more about basic pony care, including grooming and feeding, then this is the class for you! ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY PLEASE

Pony Whisperer (ages 5-7 ONLY)Come meet our Shetland ponies up close! This class is specifically designed for the younger pony lovers out there. Children will learn how to feed, groom and care for ponies! The class will be led by a member of the Riverbanks pony care team.ONLINE REGISTRATION ONLY PLEASESome Like It Hot (ages 2-4)Like it or not, the desert is hot! Find out what animals can take the heat and live in a desert! Teacher SafariWho: Teachers & Student Teachers across the Midlands (30 maximum)When: Friday, September 14, from 6:30pm – 9:00amWhere: Riverbanks Zoo & GardenHow: Call the Education Department to register at 803.779.8717 x1140 or email dschumaker@riverbanks.orgCost: $35 per participant, includes a cool glow-in-the-dark T-shirt with the slogan,“I Survived the Night at Riverbanks”This will be an opportunity for teachers and student teachers to experience what it’s like to spend the night at the Zoo. The Safari will focus on animal adaptations for survival. Please eat dinner before you arrive. Trunkin’ It (ages 2-4)Come discover the secrets of the largest land mammal on earth. Find out where elephants live, what they eat and what it takes to care for these enormous creatures.

Garden Education Programs

The Winter GardenThe Winter Garden - $15Discover what plants you can put in the ground now to provide an interesting and colorful landscape all through the dreary months of winter. Tai Chi - $120 for 10-week session, Tuesdays or SundaysA cross between Martial Arts and Yoga, Tai Chi uses slow movements to build endurance and balance. Tai Chi relieves stiffness of the joints, improving posture, decreasing the degeneration of joints and helping to disperse tension, strengthening the respiratory, muscular, and cardiovascular systems. Instructed by the U.S. Chinese Culture Center.Wildlife Gardener (ages 8-11) - $50 for 6 six weeksThe National Wildlife Federation and the Junior Master Gardener Program have teamed up to create the Wildlife Gardener. This program is a resource to help youths understand wildlife and their needs while learning to appreciate the contribution and their aesthetic value to a garden habitat. The Garden Forest: A Tour of Trees - $15 Take a hands-on tour of Riverbanks’ Woodlands Walk and learn to identify native South Carolina trees by their leaves, structure, and bark. Presented by Ted Williams of Clemson Extension.Design a Low-Maintenance Garden - $15 Limited on time but want to enjoy the beauty of plants? Create a garden with all the punch and none of the fuss by learning what plants and combinations to use.

Animal Gardens (ages 6-9) - $10Many plants have fun, playful animal names and characteristics. Go on a scavenger hunt through our Animal Garden to see up close which grass looks like a zebra and which plant resembles an elephant ear. Rain Gardens - $15 Turn mud into marvelous with this creative approach to dealing with rainwater runoff or low spots in your yard. Presented by Bill Blaxton of Clemson Extension.Sand-Cast Leaf Art - $35 for 3 sessions during two weeksLearn how to imprint leaves on wet concrete and mold them into the shape you desire. Your leaf casting can be used as a birdfeeder, bird bath or decoration for the garden. All materials are provided. Backyard Wildlife Habitat - $15Create a haven for wildlife by selecting the proper plants and creating shelters for animals. We will look at different shrubs that provide food and demonstrate easy ways to attract wildlife to your backyard.Palms and Other Exotics - $15Discover the vast array of palms available for your landscape as we talk about how to use them, proper planting, winter protection and potential problems. A variety of other exotic plants will also be covered.Watercolor Painting (ages 16 and up) - $35 From a blank sheet of paper to a finished painting, artist Jeanne McIntosh-Lirola teaches beginners (and more experienced artists) techniques in watercolors. Participants will be given a list of supplies to bring upon registration.

Pumpkin Painting (ages 5-10) - $10Unleash your imagination as artist Jeanne McIntosh-Lirola guides children through the process of painting pumpkins for Halloween. Take your decorated pumpkin home. Dress for a mess! Vermi-Composting Demonstration - FreeStop by anytime during this free demo to learn how to build a worm compost bin for your garden. The worm castings are a great way to fertilize your plants and amend your soil. Learn more about vermi-composting on page 11.Stepping Stones - $15 Using tile, leaves, and glass, you can design original stepping stones for your garden path. Materials provided to complete one stepping stone.The Donny and Marie Show - $15 Join us as Riverbanks’ own “Donny and Marie” (Melodie Scott Leach, director of horticulture and Andy Cabe, curator), present “a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll” lecture, highlighting their favorite plants—old and new. She likes the old fashioned classic plants, and he likes the hot new cultivars, but together they create harmony in the Garden. The evening promises to be fun as they share a new spin on the old standbys. A plant sale of new and old plants will follow.

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riverbanks class calendar

september 2007Wednesday, September 510am Doodlebug Jubilee 2 years old 11am Doodlebug Jubilee 3-4 years oldFriday, September 710am Doodlebug Jubilee 2 years old 11am Doodlebug Jubilee 3-4 years oldSaturday, September 810am Doodlebug Jubilee 2 years old 11am Doodlebug Jubilee 3-4 years old10am The Winter GardenTuesday, September 1110am Tai ChiWednesday, September 1210am Fuzzy Wuzzies 2 years old 11am Fuzzy Wuzzies 3-4 years old10am Wildlife Gardener 8-11 years oldFriday, September 1410am Fuzzy Wuzzies 2 years old 11am Fuzzy Wuzzies 3-4 years old6:30pm Teacher SafariSaturday, September 158:30am Pony Care 101 8-12 years old10am The Garden Forest: A Tour of Trees10am Fuzzy Wuzzies 2 years old 11am Fuzzy Wuzzies 3-4 years old7pm Family On Safari 5 Years–adultSunday, September 1610am Tai ChiWednesday, September 1910am The Long Necks 2 years old 11am The Long Necks 3-4 years oldFriday, September 2110am The Long Necks 2 years old 11am The Long Necks 3-4 years oldSaturday, September 2210am The Long Necks 2 years old 10am Animal Gardens 6-9 years old10am Design a Low Maintenance Garden11am The Long Necks 3-4 years old

Wednesday, September 2610am Some Like It Hot 2 years old 11am Some Like It Hot 3-4 years oldFriday, September 2810am Some Like It Hot 2 years old 11am Some Like It Hot 3-4 years oldSaturday, September 2910am Some Like It Hot 2 years old 10am Rain Gardens11am Some Like It Hot 3-4 years old12pm Some Like It Hot 5-6 years old

october 2007Monday, October 1 6 pm Sand-Cast Leaf ArtWednesday, October 310am Trunkin’ It 2 years old 11am Trunkin’ It 3-4 years oldThursday, October 4 6 pm Sand-Cast Leaf ArtFriday, October 510am Trunkin’ It 2 years old 11am Trunkin’ It 3-4 years oldSaturday, October 610am Trunkin’ It 2 years old 10am Backyard Wildlife Habitat11am Trunkin’ It 3-4 years old8:30am Pony Whisperer 5-7 years oldWednesday, October 1010am It’s a Jungle in Here 2 years old 11am It’s a Jungle in Here 3-4 years oldFriday, October 1210am It’s a Jungle in Here 2 years old 11am It’s a Jungle in Here 3-4 years oldSaturday, October 1310am It’s a Jungle in Here 2 years old 10am Sand-Cast Leaf Art10am Palms and Other Exotics11am It’s a Jungle in Here 3-4 years oldWednesday, October 1710am The Mane Man 2 years old 11am The Mane Man 3-4 years old

Friday, October 1910am The Mane Man 2 years old 11am The Mane Man 3-4 years old Saturday, October 2010am The Mane Man 2 years old 10am Watercolor Painting 16 years old and up11am The Mane Man 3-4 years old Tuesday, October 237pm Night Hike 7-12 years old Wednesday, October 2410am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 2 years old 11am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 3-4 years oldFriday, October 2610am Eeky Freeky 2 years old 11am Eeky Freeky 3-4 years oldSaturday, October 2710am Eeky Freeky 2 years old 10 am Pumpkin Painting 5-10 years old10am Vermi-Composting Demonstration11am Eeky Freeky 3-4 years old12pm Eeky Freeky 5-6 years oldWednesday, October 3110am Eeky Freeky 2 years old 11am Eeky Freeky 3-4 years old

November 2007Friday, November 210am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 2 years old 11am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 3-4 years oldSaturday, November 310am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 2 years old 10am Stepping Stones11am My, What Big Teeth You Have! 3-4 years old 12pm My, What Big Teeth You Have! 5-6 years oldWednesday, November 710am The Bear Necessities 2 years old11am The Bear Necessities 3-4 years oldThursday, November 8 7pm The Donny and Marie Show

Friday, November 910am The Bear Necessities 2 years old 11am The Bear Necessities 3-4 years old Tuesday, November 137pm Night Hike 7-12 years old Wednesday, November 1410am Pilgrim Party 2 years old 11am Pilgrim Party 3-4 years oldFriday, November 1610am Pilgrim Party 2 years old 11am Pilgrim Party 3-4 years old Saturday, November 1710am Pilgrim Party 2 years old 11am Pilgrim Party 3-4 years old Wednesday, November 2810am Fluke ‘n Flippers 2 years old 11am Fluke ‘n Flippers 3-4 years oldFriday, November 3010am Fluke ‘n Flippers 2 years old 11am Fluke ‘n Flippers 3-4 years old Friday, December 110am Fluke ‘n Flippers 2 years old11am Fluke ‘n Flippers 3-4 years old

Education classes arelisted in blue

Garden classes arelisted in green.

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Jungle Trails and Zoo Tales.

See it all on SCE&G’s ZooView!

Would you like to experience Riverbanks Zoo in an entirely different way?

It’s easy! Simply visit scegzooview.com from the comfort of home or anywhere else with online access. You’ll be delighted to see what’s swingin’ with some of your favorite animals as they climb, swing and hang out in the zoo, just like in the jungle.

Check it out today at scegzooview.com.

Brought to you by:

www.riverbanks.org www.niethestate.com www.sceg.comwww.wltx.com

Creative Concrete Ornamentals for the Garden $20Ball Field Guide to Diseases of Greenhouse Ornamentals $25Marine Fishes: 500+Essential to-Know-Aquarium $25Niwaki; Training & Shaping Trees the Japanese Way $30Seashore Life of the Northern Pacific Coast $30Ultimate Marine Aquariums $32Directory of Protected Areas in East Asia $33Buried Treasure; Finding & Growing the World’s Choicest Bulbs $40Turtles of the World $45Pests & Diseases of Herbaceous Perennials $48Global Strategy on Invasive Alien Species $50Professional Planting Guide $50

Hotspots Revisited: Earth’s Biologically Endangered Areas $55 Tropical Foliage Plants $55Reef Aquarium: Science, Art & Technology, vol. 3 $65Health and Welfare of Captive Reptiles $75Ecology of Fishes on Coral Reefs $86Diagnostic Ultrasound in Small Animal Practice, 2nd ed. $90Zoo Animal Immobilization & Anesthesia $105Poisonous Plants $115Veterinary Endoscopy for the Small Animal Practitioner $130Design & Operational Guide for Aquaculture Seawater Systems $140 Reptiles and Amphibians of Pakistan $150Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal $155

iverbanks staff members have included the following books on their wish lists for the Library Wish Fund. (All the books needed by the Zoo & Garden are not shown here. For a complete listing, call the number below.)R

library wish list

To donate, or for a complete list of books available for sponsorship, please contact the Riverbanks Society Office at803.779.8717 x1111, email us at society info@riverbanks.org or visit www.riverbanks.org. Help make a wish come true.

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By – Martin Vince, Curator of Birdsand Bird Keepers

Jonathan Rhodes, Angela Hardy and Kristin Frizzell

A Face Only aZooKeeper could Love

Have you ever heard the expression “a face only a mother could love”? Well, there are several species here at Riverbanks Zoo that have faces only a zookeeper could love. Balding, wrinkled, carrion eating birds are one such species. Often given a bad rap for eating dead animals or defecating down their own legs, these birds actually act as nature’s garbage disposal system, cleaning from the environment materials that would otherwise pollute waterways, spread disease, and of course give off an awful, putrid smell. You’ve guessed it. Vultures are today’s featured creature, and they are the subject of serious concern as well as the cause of new excite-ment at Riverbanks. In other times and other cultures, vultures have been revered. In ancient Greece, a griffon’s feather could ward

off snake bites, cure blindness and ease childbirth. And in ancient Egypt, vultures were protectors of kings. Yet in this day and age, vultures are often the object of contempt; Riverbanks hopes to help change that. Perhaps the most famous species of vulture is the California condor whose decline was blamed on habitat degradation, collision with power lines and poisoning from lead shot the birds ingested from game animals. Just as the California condor has been affected by environmental contamination, so too have Asian vultures. By all accounts, three of India’s species of griffon vultures have declined at an alarming rate. Research points to the widespread use of diclofenac, an anti-inflammatory and analgesic used to extend the working life of India’s farm

griffon vulture

The vulture acts as nature’s garbage disposal system, cleaning from the environment materials that would otherwise pollute waterways and spread disease.

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animals. When the animals die, farmers leave the carcasses in the open for the vultures to clean up. Diclofenac, however, is poisonous to vultures. Presumably it also leaches into the soil and waterways to affect other animals as it works its way along the food chain. In fact, so many of India’s vultures have died that rats and wild dogs have started to fill the ecologi-cal void, bringing with them rabies and other diseases that endanger people. In addition, each year hundreds of India’s griffon vultures are cut and badly injured in an International Kite Festival that celebrates the end of winter. Long kite strings are covered with powdered glass designed to cut the strings of competitors’ kites. But as the “fighting kites” battle for supremacy–and as they herald the awaking of the gods from their winter sleep–vultures collide with the glass-covered strings causing injury and death. And so while vultures in India disappear, zoos like Riverbanks continue to keep, breed, study and rehabilitate vultures, the knowledge from which could one day be used to recover wild populations. Indeed, the type of veterinary care given to our native vultures has already been used by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) to help treat many of India’s griffon vultures. Using the collected expertise of zoological veterinary medicine, the ZSL has held workshops in India to ensure that vultures injured by the kites benefit from the most current knowledge. When birds cannot be released, they are being incorporated into zoological breeding programs as a safeguard against extinction. Ironically, the casualties of the festival could help recover the wild population; and the stage appears to be set for such a recovery. At long last, the diclofenac crisis appears to be turning the corner after use of the drug was banned by the Indian gov-ernment. An alternative drug, meloxicam, has been identified as being safe for both farm animals and the vultures that would eat them. Zoos and scientists around the world have contributed in some way to the pool of knowledge necessary to identify the “Asian Vulture Crisis,” as it is now called, and suggest remedies to it. In view of the decline of vultures in the wild, we’re very excited to announce the addition of griffon vultures and lappet-faced vultures to Riverbanks Zoo’s bird collection. The two species arrived at Riverbanks in June of this year, thanks to a generous loan from the Milwaukee County Zoo in Wisconsin. The birds will be off exhibit until August while they complete routine medical screening and a gradual acclimation process to their new home. They will live with the giraffes, just as they would in the wild. Riverbanks is also proud to have other species of vultures under our care. Many wild birds of prey (known as raptors) are treated by the Zoo’s veterinarians at Riverbanks’ BB&T Medical Center for Raptors and Endangered Species. Caring Carolinians, just like you, can bring injured birds of prey to Riverbanks Zoo where the available expertise offers an important second chance. “Linus” is one such bird. He is a black vulture who was brought to the BB&T Medical Center for treatment and is now at home at Riverbanks. He canoccasionally be seen around the Zoo, especially on Wednesdays at the 1:30pm Amazing Animals Show. When you visit zoos like Riverbanks, accredited by the

Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), you are indirectly supporting a broad range of scientific research in which zoos worldwide are involved. Birds like Linus benefit directly from that work, while hundreds more–perhaps on other continents–also benefit from the knowledge learned in zoos. Knowledge and understanding are key to Riverbanks’mission; and interpreting wildlife for our members and guests is where our passion lies. So can you guess whichbird poops down its own legs so that the fecal material pools on its feet? And how do you interpret these seemingly unpleasant actions? The bird in question is the king vulture, a pair of which can be seen in Riverbanks’ Bird Garden beside the sea lion exhibit. As feces runs down the king vulture’s legs and onto its feet, the liquid evaporates and cools its skin, just as sweat cools our skin by evaporation. In addition to cool-ing, the feces actually sanitizes the vulture’s legs because uric acid is so powerful that bacteria cannot survive. This cooling strategy is important to the king vulture because its homeland in Central and South America is dangerously hot. Probably the most colorful of all vultures, the king also has a bald head–characteristic of most vultures–not because of the searing heat but because it would otherwise become matted with blood and body parts if it were feathered. Ultimately, sooner or later, everything we do from research to interpretation helps support and protect vultures in the wild. And every time you visit an AZA accredited institution like Riverbanks, you help support that work. Linus and all the vultures thank you for that; and we sincerely do, too!

lappet-faced vulture

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By – Ed Diebold, Director of Animal Collections and Conservation

in the know

The Rhyme and Reason of Animal Collection Plans

I frequently receive calls and letters from the community asking why we do not have a certain species of animal in the Riverbanks collection. Likewise, rarely does a week go by that I do not receive multiple enquiries from someone who is interested in donating an animal to Riverbanks. Few people outside of the zoological profession are likely to be familiar with the careful planning that is involved in making decisions about which species will be maintained in the Riverbankscollection. The Riverbanks Animal Collection Plan, knownin the profession as an Institutional Collection Plan (ICP),provides the over-arching framework for the scope andcomposition of the animal collection. An ICP is necessary for a number of reasons: to ensurethat the animal collection clearly reflects the institution’s mission; to ensure the best possible use of limited exhibit and holding space, as well as financial and human resources; to provide a clear-cut justification and statement of purpose for each species and individual specimen in the collection; to provide stability to the animal collection while enhancing animal management, health, exhibitry and interpretation; to minimize the production of surplus animals; and to provide a clear picture of collection logic and activities for staff,volunteers and constituents. Riverbanks’ collection planning process is collaborative in nature, involving all of the managers in the Animal Division. In selecting animals for the collection, a wide range of criteria are considered including: status in the wild; status in zoos and aquariums; existence and priorities of cooperativemanagement programs; ability to maintain the species in both a physically and psychologically healthy environment; exhibit value; exhibit suitability, including climatic consider-ations; need for husbandry and other research; recommenda-tions stated in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Taxon Advisory Group Regional Collection Plans; and any other issues specific to the institution’s mission and vision. So any time that I receive an enquiry about the status of species in the Riverbanks collection or whether or not wewill likely add a particular species to the collection in the future, you can be sure that the ICP will be my first sourceof reference.

Looking Toward the Next Generationin Animal Records Technology

Riverbanks is one of 676 member institutions worldwide that participate in the International Species Information Systems (ISIS). In short, ISIS maintains computer-based information systems that are used by zoological institutions around the globe to manage their animal collections. The ISIS central database is massive. It contains information on some 2 million animals and almost 15,000 taxa that areheld in zoological institutions. In recent years, ISIS has facilitated a worldwide collabo-ration in which over 500 professionals from the zoo and aquarium community have worked together to design the Zoological Information Management System (ZIMS), the next generation of ISIS software. ZIMS will be a giant leap forward and, when completed, will be the world’s firstunified global animal management database. ZIMS will allow any ISIS member institution to enter data into the Web-based database. Other ISIS members will, in turn, be able to search the database and retrieve data in areas such as animal husbandry, veterinary care, population management and behavior in ways that were, prior to now, very difficultif not impossible. Riverbanks has been selected as one of only 20 institu-tions worldwide to serve as a ZIMS “Early Adopter.” As an Early Adopter, Riverbanks staff will be called upon to use components of ZIMS before they are completed in order to help test and, through feedback to ISIS, strengthen program design to ensure that the program meets institutional data management needs. Riverbanks will also be a final test site as ZIMS is released to the rest of the ISIS community and will be called upon to mentor other institutions as they begin to use ZIMS. The development of ZIMS has been a long and, at times, tedious process. However, when completed it will be an invaluable animal management resource for the world’s zoos and aquariums.

ISIS Web Site: www.isis.org

Until the next time...

Notes from the Aquarium

Above left: lorikeetBelow: grizzly bear

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In each issue of Riverbanks,you will find a new

wildlife card forJunior Zookeepers to

collect. Simply cut outthe card, fold in half

and glue together andyou will have a new cardto add to your collection

of Riverbanks Wildlife Cards.

junior zookeepers

Fun Facts:✵ In all seahorse populations, it is the male

who nurtures the developing eggs in his

brood pouch.

✵ This is the largest of all seahorse species,

growing up to 12.6 inches.

✵ Their eyes can move independently of each

other, and they have prehensile tails.

✵ Instead of having scales, as most other fish,

seahorses have a layer of skin stretched over

bony plates that are visible as rings passing

around the trunk.

Diet: crustaceans, such as shrimp, and other small animals living among the seaweed

Life span: 5 to 10 years

Pot-belly Sea HorseHippocampus abdominalis

Range:New Zealand and Southeast Australia

Endangered

Extinct in the wild

Threatened

Uncommon

Rare

Notes from the Aquarium Larmarck angelfish was seen during feeding dive and appears to be in good health. The angelfish ate gel food and a small piece of clam. This is the same angelfish that escaped during transfer for medical bath. Approximately 50 koi in the Koi Pond are doing well. All have grown to approximately 2 inches in length and have been observed eating koi food.

Notes from the Bird Department Keepers Kym ReVille and Lisa Galloway met with Operant Conditioning Coordinator Andrea Mueller to discuss training techniques for red-legged seriema, Pepe. Caribbean flamingo chick completed hatch today. Initial weight = 9 1 grams. Very vocal and alert all day. Swabbed umbilicus with betadine in the a.m. Took .75 cc of water at morning feeding and 2.0 cc of water during the three afternoon feedings. Will do one p.m. feeding for the first few days.

Notes from the Farm Restocked 10 bales of hay in the barn. Lynda instructed Adventure Camp this morning, so two Zoo Teens helped on the pony side.

Notes from the Herpetology Division First round of de-wormers given to new snakes: two puff adders and a Gaboon viper. Emerald tree boa shed on exhibit.

Notes from the Hospital Great horned owl eating well. Bandage with ball applied to keep him from picking it off. King parrot blood sample taken.

Notes from the Mammal Department Maintenance staff working on making the light fixtures in baboon holding more resistant to the animals’ tampering and adding I-bolts to the ceiling for mounting enrichment items. Female Matschie’s tree kangaroo “Patch” seemed lethargic in the a.m. Dr. Moore came to assess her condition. Asked that the keepers feed her melon tonight, and Dr. Moore will re-check her first thing tomorrow.

Notes from the Education Department The male black vulture did well with two classroom animal encounters. He sat calmly on the glove. The male rat was allowed to run around the classroom in his exercise ball. All other animals checked and doing well. Bearded dragon, boa constrictor and (many) Madagascar hissing cockroaches appeared with Katie on ABC’s Augusta News. All were calm and looked great on camera.

Keeping Up with the Keepers: An Animal Care Journal

Common

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Beyond Hollies Ask any horticulturist about foundation plantings, and they will tell you they are tough. Foundation plantings are the shrubbery planted in the front of homes. Most homeowners buy some green lollipop shaped hollies and throw them in the front yard. However, the plants you choose for the front planting can enhance or detract from your home. Here are a few guidelines when choosing foundation plants:

Don’t cover your windows. Measure the height between the ground and your windows. Make sure any shrub you pur-chase has a maximum height less than this measurement.If not, plan to invest plenty of time in pruning.

Buck tradition. Make your home stand out. Most traditional foundation plantings are evergreen but don’t limit yourself by being conventional. Mix up the planting by adding plants that have interesting winter structure or big bold leaves. Diversification equals interest.

Note the silhouette of your home. Is your home boxy so you want it to appear wider? Make sure your planting are close in maximum height. Is your home long so you want to reel it in? Strategically place taller verticals to break up the long line of the foundation.

Take notice of the architectural style of your home. Is ittraditional? Modern? Ranch? Plants can evoke certain styles. Make sure the plants fit the architecture.

Layer your plantings. Give the planting some depth. A row of plants just along the front of the home appears flat and makes the front yard seem small.

Don’t start from scratch. You may have some good plants to act as backdrops for other plants. If you do have a row ofhollies or azaleas, remove some and add different texture plants in their place. Plant some more interesting plants in front of what you already have.

Watch where you plant. Plant spacing is important. Many people plant too close to their homes and the shrubs do not have adequate space to spread. Planting under eaves or the drip line will flatten plants in a heavy rain. Plant shrubs so they will just touch the house when they are mature.

Here are some good plants that are alternatives to traditional hollies and azalea foundation plantings:

By – Melodie Scott-Leach, Director of Horticulture

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Aspidistra ‘Hoshi Zora’: This tough plant will forma large evergreen clump. Although Aspidistra will takedry conditions, it does best with supplemental water.Aspidistra must be planted in the shade. Any sun willburn the leaves. The maximum height is 24 inches sothis plant is suited to lower window areas.

Rosa ‘Blush Noisette’: An old shrub rose, Blush Noisette forms a 6–8 foot shrub that is a nonstop bloomer from spring until frost. The leaves are semi-evergreen andprovide some coverage in the winter. Best for highwindow areas and sunny spots.

Hydrangea quercifolia: Oakleaf hydrangea, although deciduous (loses leaves in the winter), makes a fine foundation addition. In the summer, the large leaves and flowers make a splash and the bark provides the show in the winter. The exfoliating nature of the bark is especially nice in front of a painted home that forms a contrasting backdrop. This hydrangea is great in part shade. Oakleaf hydrangeas have a massive spread. Give this plant at least 6 feet to spread its wings.

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Serenoa repens or Sabal minor: Palms work well with other plants to give a different texture to a foundation planting. You don’t have to have a “tropical” landscape to use these dwarf palms. They provide all the great leaves of palmsbut do not reach more than 5 feet in height. Plant in fullsun to part shade and give some supplemental water.Not for the impatient gardener, palms can take severalyears to become established.

Edgeworthia chrysantha: Paperbush is another deciduous shrub that will add a punch to the foundation. In spring and summer, the 5-foot shrub sports long 4-inch soft, green leaves. However, the winter is when this plant shines. Funky white and yellow flowers begin opening inDecember and hang on through spring. Paperbushwill like some afternoon shade.

Rosmarinus officinalis: Rosemary—it’s not just for chicken anymore. This aromatic herb makes a long-flowering, evergreenaddition to the front of your home. Topping out at under 4 feet, rosemary requires little attention. The blue flowers are not only attractive, they are a bee magnet! Rosemary needs hot, sunny, well drained conditions.

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Grasses: Try adding some grasses to your existing foundation plantings for some added pep. Muhlenbergia dumosa (above) and Miscanthus variegatus (below) are two good grasses here in the Midlands, and they top out at 4–5 feet. You will not have foliage in late February or March when the grasses are cut back, but you will have plenty of character the rest of the year.

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r iverbanks4 - 1 - 1

Episode 0001

ACT 1

Scene 1: In front of the giraffe exhibitEric and Martin discuss options for a barrier fence going up at the giraffe yard. The fence will keep the new lappet-faced and Ruppell’s griffon vultures from leaving the yard.

Scene 2: Around the table at a senior animal staff meetingDr. Benson explains to the group that the 6-week-old lorikeet chick is at a critical learningstage and has been transferred to the education department. In order to become a goodprogram animal, it needs to be trained and handled as much as possible by the education staff.

Scene 3: Behind the scenes in the Aquarium Reptile ComplexJennifer calls the South Carolina Aquarium and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to discuss the release of a sea turtle. The Aquarium offers holding facilities, and the DNR agrees to tag and monitor the turtle before the release.

ACT 2

Scene 1: On the floating bridge overlooking elephant yardEric jots down some notes about the elephant exhibit. The contractor for the elephant shadestructure project has received the permit needed to move forward. The job should be complete within 60 days from the start date.

Scene 2: Around the table at a senior animal staff meetingEd explains to the team that a representative from the state veterinarian’s office called Dr. Benson and wants to gather information on Riverbanks’ disaster preparedness policies and procedures in the event of a natural disaster. Following some discussion, it is decided that Ed will forward all relevant policies to Dr. Benson who will then meet with a member of the state veterinarian’s office to discuss the Zoo’s policies.

Scene 3: In the hospitalA vet tech takes a moment to record in her daily log a routine procedure that had previously been performed on an Abyssinian ground hornbill. Dr. Benson and Martin discuss plans to send thehornbill to another zoo as part of the Population Management Plan (PMP) breedingrecommendations.

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Scene 4: Behind the scenes in the Aquarium Reptile ComplexReviewing his notes, Scott follows up with a call about a 15-foot Burmese python. Pending its behaviors and history, the snake could be a great addition to the new Amazing Animals show.

Scene 5: Around the table at a senior animal staff meetingJohn reports that T.J., the new male tiger, was released from quarantine last week and is now adjusting to his surroundings. John also announces that baboons Makale, Imi and Adjoa, recent arrivals from the North Carolina Zoo, will have access to their exhibit on a part-time basis; the trio will split exhibit time with baboons Baines and Lou until introductions between the two groups are complete.

ACT 3

Scene 1: In front of the flamingo exhibitDr. Benson and Martin discuss bird diets. Increasing the protein level in the flamingo dietjust prior to and during the breeding season seems to have been successful in stimulatingthe breeding process. Martin wonders whether dietary protein may also influence breedingin other bird species

Scene 2: Around the table at a senior animal staff meetingJennifer mentions that a new shipment of fish is scheduled to arrive on Tuesday, and thenautilus exhibit will undergo a theme change. Scott reports that four male puff adders andthree female gaboon vipers have been added to the collection and that a pancake tortoiseegg has hatched.

Scene 3: In the elephant barnDr. Benson thanks the keepers for training African elephant Penny to allow the hospital staffto sample a small nodule near her rectal area. It makes testing the animal much easier.

THE CASTDr. Keith Benson Senior Veterinarian

John Davis Curator of MammalsEd Diebold Director of Animal Collections & Conservation

Eric Helms Director of Facilities & Risk ManagementScott Pfaff Curator of Herpetology

Martin Vince Curator of Birds

“Reel” behind-the-scenes episodes involving senior animal staff

CREDITSDirector Ed Diebold

Screenplay Monique JacobsArt Director Dixie Allan

Photography Ashley WalkerStagehand Dargan Davis

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Riverbanks Fall Bulb SaleRiverbanks Fall Bulb Sale

DAFFODILSCheck out this sensational selection of daffodils! These are some of our favorites—and great choices for the Southern climate. 10 bulbs/bag

Narcissus ‘Gigantic Star’-A highly fragrant, giant yellow trumpetstyle daffodil. A favorite among Riverbanks staff members.(early bloom, 18-24”) $5.00

Narcissus ‘Accent’- Pure white petalswith a large pink cup. You’ve got tolove a pink daffodil. (midseason bloom, 14-16”) $6.00

Narcissus ‘Sir Winston Churchil’’Double white flowers withsplashes of orange in the center.Long lasting cut flower.(late bloom, 15-17”) $6.00

Brighten up your garden with Riverbanks’ finest selection of spring bulbs! Complete and return the order form today,

and you’ll have first choice on these premium picks. Shipping costs are an additional 10% of the total order, or a minimum charge of $5 and a maximum

of $25, but you can save money, packaging and time by planning

to pick up your advance order on the day of the sale.

Your order will be ready and waiting for you!

Of course, there also will be bulbs available on the day of

the sale if you prefer to do your shopping in person. For more

information, call Melodie Leach at 803.779.8717 x1129 or email

mleach@riverbanks.org

Narcissus ‘Hawera’- Clusters ofsmall, nodding, pale yellow flowers with reflexed petals. Will grow inpart shade.(late bloom, 6”) $5.00

Saturday, November 17, 9am to 12pm

West Columbia Entrance

In The Bog Garden Plaza

Narcissus ‘Tahiti’- Back by popular demand! Wild looking daffodil with multiple layers of soft yellow petals. Orange segments in the middle.Very showy.(late bloom, 14-16”) $5.00

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Tulipa ‘Viking’-Scarlet colored double flowers. Has performed well for us, even coming back to bloom nicely for three consecutive years! Fragrant.(mid-late bloom, 12”) $5.00

Tulipa ‘Don Quichotte’Flowers open pink and fade toa light purple. (midseason bloom, 14-18”) $5.00

SPECIES TULIPSPerennial tulips? Yes, it's true! These varieties will beautify your budding backyard for years to come.

Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ - One of last year’s bestsellers! Petals are red with a white edge. Flower opens to a white interior.(8-10") 20 bulbs/bag $8.00

Narcissus ‘Salome’Pure white petals with a yellowish cupthat matures to a salmon color.(late bloom, 16-18”) $5.00

Narcissus ‘Quail’-Clusters of 2-4 pure yellow flowers per stem.Very fragrant.(midseason, 12-14”) $5.00

Crocus x luteus ‘Golden Yellow’ Giant yellow flowers. Great in masses. (early bloom 6”)20 bulbs/bag – $4.00

TULIPSTulips are annuals in the South, and they’re a sure sign that spring is on the way. These varieties are guaranteed to upgrade your growing garden. 10 bulbs/bag

Tulipa ‘Big Smile’-Brilliant, deep yellow flowers—always a favorite here at Riverbanks. Combines well withother tulips.(late bloom, 20-22”) $5.00

Narcissus ‘Tripartite’-Split lemon yellow cup that lays flat against the petals that looks something akin to a butterfly. 3-4 fragrant flowers per stem.(mid-late bloom, 12-14”) $7.00

Tulipa ‘Monsella’-A bestseller back by popular demand! Giant double blooms of yellow with red streaking. For those who want to be bold (or gaudy).(mid-late bloom, 12") $5.00

Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ - Red, exterior petals with chartreuse edges and apurple base. (midseason bloom, 8-10"20 bulbs/bag $5.00

Tulipa clusiana var. chrysanthaRed exterior with a contrasting bright yellow interior.(8-10") 20 bulbs/bag $5.00

MISCELLANEOUS BULBSDon’t miss these hot picks—more staff favorites!

Scilla peruviana - Blooms in spring with a baseball-sized, 18”-tall beautiful blue flower. Space 12” apart.3 bulbs/bag – $10.00

Leucojum aestivum Pendulous white flowers in mid-spring. Great for naturalizing or planting in mass. Will take light shade. (15")20 bulbs/bag $4.00

Crocus vernus ‘Flower Record’Large purple flowers with a white center. Great in masses. (early bloom 6”)20 bulbs/bag – $4.00

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Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinusSmall purple flowers adorn 2-3’ foot stalks in Spring. An old-timey glad that is seen around old homesites.10 bulbs/bag – $6.00

Muscari armeniacumBright blue flowers resembling small clusters of grapes. Great in masses and a good naturalizer. (early spring bloom, 4-6”) 20 bulbs/bag – $4.00

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Carnegie’Large creamy white flowers. Extremely fragrant. (Mid-season bloom, 10”) 10 bulbs/bag – $6.00

CRINUMSOld-time treasures in the Southern garden, crinums are some of the most durable and reliable bulbs you’ll ever find. Limited availability. Order early! 1 bulb/bag

Crinum ‘Bradley’Red flowers. Small stature for use in perennial borders.$25.00

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Blue Jacket’Large dark blue flower with purple striping. Extremely fragrant. (Mid-season bloom, 10”)10 bulbs/bag – $6.00

Crinum ‘Marisco’White flowers with deep red stripes.Offsets rapidly$25.00

Crinum x powelliiPink trumpet-shaped flowers. Great beginner crinum.$8.00

Allium cristophii - Softball-sized flower heads comprised of hundreds of star shaped amethyst flowers.(early summer flower, 18”)5 bulbs/bag – $4.00

Allium sphaerocephalumSmall, compact dark purple flowers. Known as the “drumstick allium”.(late spring/early summer bloom, 24”)20 bulbs/bag – $4.00

Arum italicum - Great for shade! Green and white variegated foliage in winter, followed by a flower and cluster of red berries borne on a single stalk.10 bulbs/bag – $8.00

Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’Great cut flowers. Blue bell-like flowers appear in late spring. Needs good summer drainage. (18-24”)20 bulbs/bag – $4.00

Allium schubertii - Vollyball-sized globe which has rose/purple flower. Makes a great dried flowerflower—try spray painting it for decoration! (12”)3 bulbs/bag – $4.00

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Name:_________________________________________Shipping Address:_______________________________

City:______________________State:_____Zip:_______Daytime Telephone Number:_____________________

Mail to: Riverbanks Bulb Sale, PO Box 1060, Columbia, SC 29202-1060Questions: Call 803.779.8717 x1129, email mleach@riverbanks.org or visit www.riverbanks.org

# Bulbs per bag Price per bag # Bags Total

DAFFODILS

Narcissus ‘Sir Winston Churchil’’ 10 6.00

Narcissus ‘Tahiti’ 10 5.00

Narcissus ‘Hawera’ 10 5.00

Narcissus ‘Gigantic Star’ 10 5.00

Narcissus ‘Accent’ 10 6.00 Narcissus ‘Quail’ 10 5.00

Narcissus ‘Salome’ 10 5.00

Narcissus ‘Tripartite’ 10 7.00

TULIPS

Tulipa ‘Big Smile’ 10 5.00

Tulipa ‘Monsella’ 10 5.00

Tulipa ‘Viking’ 10 5.00

Tulipa ‘Don Quichotte’ 10 5.00

SPECIES TULIPS

Tulipa ‘Lady Jane’ 20 8.00

Tulipa clusiana ‘Cynthia’ 20 5.00

Tulipa clusiana var. chrysantha 20 5.00

MISCELLANEOUS BULBS

Scilla peruviana 3 10.00

Leucojum aestivum 20 4.00

Crocus x luteus ‘Golden Yellow’ 20 4.00

Crocus vernus ‘Flower Record’ 20 4.00 Allium schubertii 3 4.00

Allium cristophii 5 4.00

Allium sphaerocephalum 20 4.00

Arum italicum 10 8.00

Triteleia laxa ‘Queen Fabiola’ 20 4.00

Gladiolus communis ssp. byzantinus 10 6.00

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Blue Jacket’ 10 6.00

Hyacinthus orientalis ‘Carnegie’ 10 6.00

Muscari armeniacum 20 4.00

CRINUMS

Crinum ‘Bradley’ 1 25.00

Crinum x powellii 1 8.00

Crinum ‘Marisco’ 1 25.00

May we substitute similar bulbs if necessary? Yes_____ No_____ Orders accepted up to November 7, 2007.

Have you ordered from us before? Yes_____ No_____

Bulb Order Total

Shipping

ORDER TOTAL

(State sales tax is included in price of bulbs) Shipping $5 minimum or 10% of order

Method of Payment: (Payment is due with order.) Cash ❏ Check ❏ MC ❏ VISA ❏ AMEX ❏ Discover ❏

Card Number:_____________________________________Expiration Date:_______________________________________

Name On Card:____________________________________Signature:____________________________________________

Check(s) payable to: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden(please print)

Pick up Nov 17 ❏ Pick up Nov 20 ❏Pick up Nov 26 ❏ Ship Order ❏

Riverbanks societyP.O. Box 1060Columbia, SC 29202-1060

Non-Profit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDColumbia, S.C.Permit No. 90

RiverbanksZOOfari

Treasures fromAround the World

Page 12

HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR

For 11 wild nightsin October... thingsget a little spooky

at Riverbanks’

BOO AT THE ZOO.October 12–14, 19–21 & 26–30

6 – 9pm

Batz-n-Bonz Castle u Trick-or-Treat Trail u Mad MagicianMummy’s Eeky-Freaky Dance Party u Nightly Costume Parade

Frankenstein’s Foam Zone u Creepy Creature Encounters Haunted Carousel* u Vortex Spinning Light Tunnel

u Wicked Wooded Walk u Fun House Express in 3-D*

$5 members, $7 general public u Prizes and treats for kids ages 3–12Advance tickets are available online at www.riverbanks.org

or at any Riverbanks ticket booth.* Attractions marked require an additional charge.