Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2019

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Wyman said:
And for that matter, what's going to happen to the perfectly good Japanese giant salamander exhibit in Asia Trail?
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Is it perfectly good? It always has glare on the glass and I've never actually seen a salamander in it.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Is it perfectly good? It always has glare on the glass and I've never actually seen a salamander in it.
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(In terms of animal welfare. Glare can be solved with a canvas shade structure over the path, and as for seeing a salamander, maybe some slight modifications/lights...?)
 
Wyman said:
(In terms of animal welfare. Glare can be solved with a canvas shade structure over the path, and as for seeing a salamander, maybe some slight modifications/lights...?)
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Fair point with the glare, but what I was getting at was that it was never clear to me if the exhibit even had salamanders in it. I remember it being labeled as empty at least once and even when it wasn't nothing was visible. Maybe it closes during the winter, or the animals have been off-display frequently? Somebody who visits more often would have a better idea. Either way, considering that I've never seen one I'm not surprised they're changing location.
 
Coelacanth18 said:
Fair point with the glare, but what I was getting at was that it was never clear to me if the exhibit even had salamanders in it. I remember it being labeled as empty at least once and even when it wasn't nothing was visible. Maybe it closes during the winter, or the animals have been off-display frequently? Somebody who visits more often would have a better idea. Either way, considering that I've never seen one I'm not surprised they're changing location.
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There hasn't been a salamander in that tank is 2012/2013ish.

~Thylo
 
Wyman said:
And for that matter, what's going to happen to the perfectly good Japanese giant salamander exhibit in Asia Trail?
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Hallelujah, somebody finally asked this elephant-in-the-room-sized question. Yes, the exhibit's lone resident died three years ago, but @Coelacanth18's comment that there never seemed to be a salamander in that space, from the get-go in 2006, is absolutely a perception I share. NZP was especially gifted salamanders from a Japanese zoo to create a breeding group, and the zoo still holds salamanders off-exhibit. Yes, they may be very precious and the outdoor habitat may now seem risky, but they hold enormous value as conservation ambassadors given their sheer size. I was thrilled when this species was announced for Asia Trail, but perhaps the choice of one that is both nocturnal and spends a lot of time underwater wasn't the best idea. I also had an ongoing and thorough lesson from a former student who was a NY Aquarium water specialist, which covered the water-quality needs of a great number of species. Japanese salamanders need highly oxygenated water and very pure water. Perhaps this was somehow overlooked in the planning, but it would seemingly be a fixable problem. At the end of the day, it has been a sheer waste not to show off these rare creatures, AND an utter waste of space for a zoo that is completely landlocked and space-challenged.
 
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blospz said:
Probably remain empty like the bobcat and caracal exhibits have been for the past couple of years. :(
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Totally. When that had happened, I deluded myself into thinking that this wouldn't be the loss of two species or enclosures, that
they might finally be devoting the steep hill on the right going down to North America to the bobcats that could navigate it (the way the maned wolves used to use the steep hill across from the seal pool.). But no, three potential habitats abandoned into disuse, and two species lost to view. The bobcats would have fit in perfectly with the North America trail and caracals in a small exhibit at the North end, with the cheetahs, etc. Then there would be two exhibits free to show new cats that are more endangered, like Iberian lynx. There's no doubt that this has been a period of quiet disappearance, including the whole inverts exhibit. Holding fewer animals is the only way to reduce the number of employees and payroll, which is on the federal stepped pay scale.
 
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Some bird (and horseshoe crab) news from over the summer.

Bird is the Word

Also it appears the zoo has dropped the "Experience Migration" name for the bird house renovations, and now its just the "Bird House" again.
 
As posted to Twitter, NZP and China are officially continuing their research into Giant Pandas. I don't think this is coincidence. When China suddenly recalled SD's last two pandas, it seemed like a response to the ongoing trade wars and instigation by Trump. With Mei and Tian's loans officially ending 12/15/20, I think this may be a message that cooperation with China will yield the results we want, ie pandas in DC and fair trade agreements. As the "national" zoo and a respected world leader in science, NZP has probably always had an advantage in having pandas to exhibit, but I still wouldn't be surprised if some new Trump Twitter puts even that in jeopardy.

WATCH: Saving the giant panda from extinction. National Zoo on Twitter National Zoo on Twitter
 
I was stunned to think that the zoo didn't already have something like this. The actual hospital is out of the way, well hidden on a very circuitous route, which makes portable vet care even more necessary
 
This article described a bunch of mayhem in the zoo during a Zoo lights presentation and a seemingly-related shooting just outside. This, for me, is a perfect illustration of why some of the 13 entrances/exits to the zoo should be sealed off. They were checking bags at the three largest points of entry, but how can the zoo reasonably secure 13? I realize that this could make deliveries to various habitats like the Bird House difficult, but safety of both animals and visitors is Paramount. This is why animals could never be on display during these big events.

2 teens shot near National Zoo during holiday lights festival | WTOP
 
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