Oakland Zoo Oakland Zoo News 2018
- Thread starter vogelcommando
- Start date
He doesn't outwardly appear to be... grieving. Visited today and he seemed to be his normal self, but this is the second or third time Nikko has lost a mate. I imagine that they'll attempt to acquire another companion, but I couldn't track anybody down to ask.
Parking has jumped up to ten bucks and a single adult admission is now a gob smacking $22/person. More later, but that price increase is astounding.
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
Well I’m back from a ton of schoolwork and a few personal stuff. I’ve been lurking for a few weeks and found this forum. I recently went to the Oakland zoo (a day before Gladys death) and noticed a few things...
1.1 crowned lemurs were added to the zoo from the Duke lemur center.
I noticed a odd netted enclosure in the California trail. It’s visible by the bathrooms and is near the future wolf exhibit. I have no idea what the exhibit will be used for though
As much as I love Nikko, I feel that it would be useless to keep finding a mate since he’s nearing the end of his lifespan. Maybe younger gibbons can be put into the exhibit to start a breeding group.
I found a video by an Oakland zoo intern that shows two grey wolfs in their new habitats.
1.1 crowned lemurs were added to the zoo from the Duke lemur center.
I noticed a odd netted enclosure in the California trail. It’s visible by the bathrooms and is near the future wolf exhibit. I have no idea what the exhibit will be used for though
As much as I love Nikko, I feel that it would be useless to keep finding a mate since he’s nearing the end of his lifespan. Maybe younger gibbons can be put into the exhibit to start a breeding group.
I found a video by an Oakland zoo intern that shows two grey wolfs in their new habitats.
I could not find the wolf video on YouTube, but here is a video of the new gondola:
And here is an older promo video of the new California expansion:
According to zoo website, new exhibit opens in June 2018 (exact day not specified)
I must say that after watching the video I am very excited about this project. The link on the zoo website includes a space to enter your email for updates on the opening, which I did. So I will post news here as I get it.
I understand. I haven’t visited yet but I have had my eye on doing it for quite a while now. I did price up the whole trip not so long ago, with the intention of booking it soon. Maybe I’m better waiting until the California Trail is done, then I will really get my money’s worth. Although, I have paid all kinds of prices for zoo admission up to now, anywhere from $6 to $54. If I really want to go somewhere, I’m willing to pay whatever it may cost.
The thread that discusses California Trails specifically can be found here: Oakland Zoo - $70 Million California Trails - 2015 Completion?
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
The video must have been taken down. The channel was called OaklandZooIntern and showcased two grey wolves walking around in what I assume is the wolf extension exhibit.
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
My hope for Oakland zoo is to reach the levels of what zoos like Fresno and San Diego have accomplished. It’s fine that they want to help retired circus animals and such but if they push there focus into breeding animals like the cotton top tamarins and the siamangs, they could become a larger influence in Californian zoos. The California trail is an example of what they could do if they focus their priorities. They could modernise the chimpanzee exhibit or make a beautiful African savannah exhibit like Fresno’s.
I’m planning on sending an email to the staff at Oakland zoo (Unsure which one though) to ask them what the future of the zoo holds after the opening of the California trail. I’m also planning on continuing Wolf Treks because most of the relative stress and such has passed and I have more free time. My review of the Oakland zoo will be up tomorrow.
Until then
TheEthiopianWolf
I’m planning on sending an email to the staff at Oakland zoo (Unsure which one though) to ask them what the future of the zoo holds after the opening of the California trail. I’m also planning on continuing Wolf Treks because most of the relative stress and such has passed and I have more free time. My review of the Oakland zoo will be up tomorrow.
Until then
TheEthiopianWolf
@TEW, Too right! I am not sure if they even have a Masterplan ..., but they obviously should in order to be able to define what Oakland Zoo is now and will be into the future. The landfall now being built for the California Trail is obviously part of that deal and underlines that Local is part of Global (what you can do conservation-wise at home and in the wider global environment!
Your suggestions are merely hinting at what could be done. I am sure there are other options and opportunities too (zoos should never try to copy their next door neighbours ..., as there is both variety in diversity and flexibility in conservation focus and action for each individual zoo.
BTW: Why no mention of next door San Francisco Zoo as a major zoo in the immediate vicinity. I do hope both confer with one one-another to make sure they remain complimentary.
Your suggestions are merely hinting at what could be done. I am sure there are other options and opportunities too (zoos should never try to copy their next door neighbours ..., as there is both variety in diversity and flexibility in conservation focus and action for each individual zoo.
BTW: Why no mention of next door San Francisco Zoo as a major zoo in the immediate vicinity. I do hope both confer with one one-another to make sure they remain complimentary.
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
San Fransisco zoo is a good zoo but the exhibits need a major overhaul before I can consider it a major zoo.
The problem with Oakland zoo is that they’re working on breeding local wildlife. This is fine but they don’t educate the public about their work. Hopefully yellow legged frogs are added to the Californian trail so that people can learn about them.
I just hope that they start breeding their more endangered animals (Which I think they’re planning to do with the lemurs) and start moving away from rescuing circus animals.
Until then
TheEthiopianWolf
The problem with Oakland zoo is that they’re working on breeding local wildlife. This is fine but they don’t educate the public about their work. Hopefully yellow legged frogs are added to the Californian trail so that people can learn about them.
I just hope that they start breeding their more endangered animals (Which I think they’re planning to do with the lemurs) and start moving away from rescuing circus animals.
Until then
TheEthiopianWolf
In terms of what could be done with renovations for the exhibits, I would give a fresh lick of paint to the Elephant exhibit (adding naturalistic "riverbanks" and maybe plant some actual acacias, and use the current Camel exhibit for a new African Savanna (connecting to the current African Veldt). As for the Chimps, either build a new habitat for them similar in quality to Kansas City, or send them off to San Francisco. As for the other habitats, all that is needed IMO is a fresh lick of paint.
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
The only problem with connecting the camel and veldt exhibits is that the gondola blocks the exhibits from connection. Even if you move around the gondola it still blocks of the lion, elephant, and other African savannah exhibits. I was thinking if they would actually build an African savannah exhibit they would use the empty land near the Californian trail.
Knowing that the California trail had many criticisms because the project developed land in Knowland Park, I doubt further expansion into the park will be possible. Knowland Park is home to protected species (e.g. Alameda whipsnake) in the maritime chaparral ecosystem, which is the reason why the gondola is necessary to prevent disturbances on the hillside up to California trail.
TheEthiopianWolf03
Well-Known Member
I forgot about the whipsnakes, my bad.
But they could at least renovate exhibits without messing with the knowland park area, right?
Maybe using the footprint of the current bison and camel exhibits for the Savanna, with the Lions looking out at Giraffes, Zebras, and other antelope? And as for the current Giraffe yard, maybe move the Hamadryas Baboons in with some Ibex?