Yes I would agree, if new pandas are to come to the U.S. anytime soon, it would make sense if they went to another zoo that hasn’t housed pandas before.
San Diego Zoo Pandas are leaving San Diego Zoo
- Thread starter SharkFinatic
- Start date
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Would be great if they could turn the building into some kind of centre for native / endemic species.
Hellbenders or other amphibians maybe ?
Hellbenders or other amphibians maybe ?
Your correct they should use the building for native wildlife but hellbenders don’t live in California. They could also use the panda exhibits for other species of bear they are trying to breed like their Andean Bears or Sun bears
I would suspect if any amphibian were to end up in the building, it would be Chinese Giant Salamanders. They're already planned for the new Children's Zoo, and would fit the whole China theme of that area.
Different facilities but technically still the same, both being operated by San Diego Zoo Global.
Also I highly doubt the zoo would put pandas at the safari park, it would require a whole new exhibit setup to be built. There's no real good place the park could build an exhibit complex visible to the public anyways without removing something else.
Doesn't St. Louis want pandas? Really anywhere outside of the Mid-Atlantic region would make a good choice for a panda location.
Onychorhynchus coronatus
Well-Known Member
Yes, I agree, they would be a brilliant species to replace the pandas with and one that is arguably in much greater need of ex-situ conservation outside the species range.
Hellbenders would still be much better though IMO being a native species and that the zoo already have a breeding colony.
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Why outside the mid-atlantic?
Since the three zoos with pandas are in Memphis, Atlanta, and D.C, wherever the next zoo to get pandas should be outside of this mid-Atlantic region where these three zoos are located. At least Atlanta and D.C. are. Memphis is a little further. In order to make pandas more accessible to more Americans, some good options would be anywhere in the midwest, southwest, or west coast. Possibly Omaha? Los Angeles? Lincoln Park Zoo? Houston? St. Louis? Woodland Park Zoo? Denver? These are just suggestions and I am in no way implying that any of these zoos want pandas or are trying to get pandas, just from a geographical sense they would be smart locations for them.
Memphis and Atlanta aren't Mid-Atlantic. They're south. Mid-Atlantic is VA, MD, DE, NJ. Sometimes PA and NC. I agree that somewhere further west would be better, but your geography is off
Quite possibly, they did loan out pandas last time they held the Olympics and are trying to open a new Asian are for when they host the Olympics so they very well could do that
Omaha or LA are probably the two most likely options from your suggestions, based on prominence and space. Whether any of the aforementioned zoos are able to accommodate the atrocious cost of pandas given many are struggling financially is another factor to consider. From a financial standpoint, SDZ and Omaha are likely the best situated to receive pandas right now. The only logical choice financially is San Diego, they have all the necessary facilities in place.
I'm trying to think of where Omaha could fit a large new exhibit. They're renovating the aviary now, that would have been the best spot IMO (easier to move birds). Maybe between gorillas and Madagascar? Or between desert dome and the kids zoo? I can't remember what that space is like, other than the one building set far back.
But the problem of getting pandas, in general, is that the Chinese government may not want t import pandas to other countries. It was discussed back in 2019 but Chinas relationship with the US has gotten very sour in the past four years. Maybe in the next four years that could change but it would still take time. Also, do we know if the Smithsonian got their contract renewed? I haven't heard about it and I know the contract ends soon. If it wasn't renewed then we could very well be losing pandas for a good amount of time.
A good question indeed. Both SDZ and Calgary have lost their pandas, so it's possible we may lose the species from North America for a time. However Smithsonian's cub may extend their lease. Far as Atlanta and Memphis we'll have to wait and see.
It is unfortunately my perception that you will have to brace yourselves for for some good time without giant pandas in the US. It currently looks like your elections are going one way only and for those outside the Americas it will not be the happy outcome (even less so for those living within or close to the US). Sadly, even these giant panda deals have now become politicised in administrations' circles and it has not made world affairs nor international diplomacy any the easier nor productive.
I'm not worried about who will win the election (current polls are actually looking up). I'm worried about China because recently they have been doing some alarming things I cannot get into on here but they are worrying and other countries besides the United States will have to get involved. As stated earlier Calgary lost its pandas which could be a sign that global panda diplomacy is slowly dying as countries begin to question China. The United States will not get Pandas unless immediate action is taken to restore ties with China and that most likely will not happen. But we could see a loss of pandas globally if we see countries like Germany or Brittian involve themselves in the humanitarian issues of China.
On a less dire note, I believe the pandas will be replaced by either Bornean Sun bears or Asiatic black bears. Both are species that do need breeding and San Diego has an excellent facility so it wouldn't surprise me if they used the leftover exhibits for more bear breeding. For the building, I believe if they were to put species in it they would only convert half of it and keep the other half for research. They spent a good amount of money on it and I doubt they would want to convert it all when they could use the equipment they have to help other 4 bear species in the park. I think they would definitely put Asian animals in the building. Maybe some small Asian mammals and definitely some reptiles from the reptile house. This could free up some room for smaller animals they keep off exhibit.
Omaha may try again to get them. There is a great article out there about when they tried and ultimately didnt because of political reasons. The money was then used to do the elephants/exhibit
Zoo sours on fruitless panda chase
Zoo sours on fruitless panda chase
I’m not so sure Omaha will try to get them again. If they do it will be a very long time. Going through that before has left a really sour taste amongst many involved and as long as Pate is here I don’t see them trying.
Despite the many local benefactors here in Omaha that continue to fund the major capital projects that are always happening that could garner the funding to support it, the general feeling amongst many here is that Omaha’s zoo is already world-class and they don’t need giant pandas to solidify that.
Despite the many local benefactors here in Omaha that continue to fund the major capital projects that are always happening that could garner the funding to support it, the general feeling amongst many here is that Omaha’s zoo is already world-class and they don’t need giant pandas to solidify that.