The exhibit is currently divided in two. When I was there two weeks ago, one side (the one further from the restaurant area) was unsigned but contained two juvenile gharials. The other side was empty when I was there but was signed for Philippine crocodile. I assume they are at least sometimes still exhibited there.
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium 2020 News
- Thread starter TigerValley98
- Start date
The exhibit is currently divided in two. When I was there two weeks ago, one side (the one further from the restaurant area) was unsigned but contained two juvenile gharials. The other side was empty when I was there but was signed for Philippine crocodile. I assume they are at least sometimes still exhibited there.
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
That’s pretty cool about the gharials, I’m used to seeing the Philippine crocodiles every time I go there, but I’m kind of excited to see the gharials, as that’s a species of crocodile I never seen before in a zoo. Will the juvenile gharials grow any larger or is that their maximum size?
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Speaking of crocodilians, I’m VERY happy and a little bit thrilled that they put a West African Dwarf Crocodile in the little moat in front of the Eastern Black Rhinoceros yard, and next to the American flamingos. I know they are very small for crocodilians, but I have a soft spot for crocodilians. I remember back in my childhood they used to have 4 or 5 when I used to go in 2000s, and early 2010s. They all hatched in 1999. I also have very soft spot for Otis, the male American Alligator residing in Kids Kingdom. There is nothing like seeing an adult alligator (or any large crocodilian species) up close and in person. He’s my 2nd favorite reptile that they have. My favorites are the two Komodo dragons in Forest Passage.
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Is it hard for a zoo to obtain African flamingo species by the way or do zoos just don’t want them? First we had Chilean flamingos in the African Savanna and since 2011/12 American flamingos. Why can’t we get greater or lesser flamingos to keep with the African theme?
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BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Why hello there little chomper! Haha. I love crocodilians. Very underrated and overlooked animal group.
African species of flamingos are incredibly fragile when it comes to large temperature swings and any weather below 55F. Most Zoo's exhibit American or Chilean simply because they can be exhibited, for the most part, year round
Elephantlover
Member
I am Planing on going to this zoo in 2 weeks. I was wondering do they still have an elephant seal.
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Yes they do
Elephantlover
Member
Thanks
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
You’re welcome! I think you will enjoy your visit to the zoo! I’m going on Saturday September 26th to celebrate my birthday weekend (Friday the 25th). In my opinion, they have a pretty good elephant exhibit. We currently have 5 females: an adult matriarch, an adult female, a juvenile, and two calves. The person who runs their elephant program is really good, I have a lot of respect for him and the behavioral/husbandry training that he does with the elephants. Anyways, the exhibit is a decent sized yard with a big moat/pond in the middle that separates the elephants from the public. You can also walk through the adjacent elephant barn (past the outdoor elephant exhibit and right before the primate house and the giraffes and zebras), as sometimes the elephants like to spend time in there. You can really get up close to them in the elephant house as steel metal bars are the only barrier. Sometimes on Saturdays and Sunday’s you can get your picture taken with them for a small fee. I doubt they would be doing that due to COVID, but you never know though. So that’s a bit about their elephants. Some other pachyderms that they have are eastern black rhinos (after the flamingos and western dwarf crocodiles and before the currently under construction lion exhibit) in a fairly small (but still good quality) paddock yard. You will most likely see the mother rhino and her growing female calf. If not, you will see the adult male bull. Lastly, in jungle odyssey you will see the zoo’s last pachyderm. A male Pygmy hippo in an exhibit that is mostly water, with a bit of grass for shade. Hope this helps and enjoy your visit!
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Also, I forgot to mention. The zoo’s northern elephant seal exhibit has two viewing sections. You can first view the seal outside, but there’s also an indoor space that has a few large underwater viewing tunnels. If the seal is not outside (he will most likely he outside, basking/sunbathing on the land surface), be sure to check the indoor underwater tunnel! The same goes for the other species of Water’s Edge. This section of the zoo also features polar bears (male and female), sea otters (two males), and a few California sea lions that live with the northern elephant seals. The rest of the sea lion colony can be found in Kid’s Kingdom. The elephant seal exhibit is the THIRD and final one down the boardwalk style path in Water’s Edge. It’s the last exhibit before the entry sign and California sea lion pool to Kid’s Kingdom. I hope this helps as well!
BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
Thank you. That does make sense.
Elephantlover
Member
Thank you this is very helpful. I went to the zoo once in 2009 its seems a lot has changed since I last visited.
Lesser flamingos don´t tolerate freezing temperatures as well as other flamingo species and also don´t breed well in captivity. But Greater flamingos are very tolerant to low temperatures, breed well in captivity and there is no reason to use other species in African themed zoo exhibits.
Current list of marine mammals at Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium:
California Sea Lion
Maggie FEMALE b 28-Jun-95
NAV MALE b 1-Jun-04
Seahawk MALE b 15-Jun-05
Piper FEMALE b 31-May-12
CHEEKY FEMALE b 21-Jun-14
UNKNOWN NAME FEMALE b 28-Jun-13
Smiley MALE b 10-Jun-20
Northern Elephant Seal
Ellie Mae FEMALE b 1-Jan-17
UNKNOWN NAME FEMALE b 20-Dec-17
Nessie is the second elephant seal. Nav and Piper live with Ellie Mae and Nessie in Water’s Edge.
I finally got around to uploading these to my computer from my recent visit. The 1st picture is on-going construction for the next phase of Top of the World. This photo was taken between Jambo Grill and the cheetah exhibit. The 2nd and 3rd photos show the work to-date on the vertical green wall project. As you can see from the 2nd picture, this wall is going to be massive as the "specks" near the top are construction workers. These pictures were taken on the trail past the old bear dens, facing away from the aquarium. Pretty exciting stuff!
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BigCatConniseur24
Well-Known Member
I’m going to the zoo, on Saturday September 26th for my birthday. I’ll be there from 12/12:30 PM-5 PM. Should I expect to see the crocodilians (American alligator, dwarf crocodiles, and false gharials)? I’ve already accepted the fact that the lions will most likely not be on exhibit, barring an extremely finished completion of the lion exhibit. That’s okay. Lions aren’t my favorite cats anyways. I love leopards, tigers, and cheetahs. I can’t wait to see the cheetah cubs! That’s what I’m most excited to see. If the tigers or leopards or cheetahs wouldn’t be out out on exhibit, then we would be considerably more disappointed, and a bit heartbroken, but since it’s only the lions, I’m willing to accept it. Even the lynx and clouded leopards are more energetic and exciting to watch than the lions. Both species have considerably more energy and higher activity levels compared to the lions.