San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2021

With regards to the takin, as much as I do know, I do not know what the rationale behind brining in the golden and mishmi herds was. Interestingly enough, both herds are entirely owned by Rum Creek and not San Diego, and for what it’s worth, with the mishmis, only the bull was imported from Europe— the females were brought in from Iron Mountain Ranch.

With regards to the ibex, I wouldn’t be surprised if they turn back up on exhibit at the zoo. They have additional bachelors behind-the-scenes, and the Safari Park is committed to continuing to breed them, so more bachelor space will be needed. When I was at the zoo last Friday, the middle Ethiopian Highlands exhibit was empty with no signage. Perhaps they will turn up there in the future?

Changing subjects, does anyone know if the zoo currently exhibits their Magnificent Bird-of-Paradise and/or Red-and-Blue Lories still?

~Thylo
Last Friday, I saw signage for the magnificent BOP, but I did not see them. I did not see any signage for the lories, however.
 
With regards to the takin, as much as I do know, I do not know what the rationale behind brining in the golden and mishmi herds was. Interestingly enough, both herds are entirely owned by Rum Creek and not San Diego, and for what it’s worth, with the mishmis, only the bull was imported from Europe— the females were brought in from Iron Mountain Ranch.

With regards to the ibex, I wouldn’t be surprised if they turn back up on exhibit at the zoo. They have additional bachelors behind-the-scenes, and the Safari Park is committed to continuing to breed them, so more bachelor space will be needed. When I was at the zoo last Friday, the middle Ethiopian Highlands exhibit was empty with no signage. Perhaps they will turn up there in the future?


Last Friday, I saw signage for the magnificent BOP, but I did not see them. I did not see any signage for the lories, however.
Pardon me for sounding ignorant but what is Rum Creek? :oops:

As for the Ibex and Gelada situation, I saw a couple of construction crew members repairing the window to that currently unoccupied exhibit so perhaps that is a factor pending all of this as you mention. That grass in the unoccupied exhibit does need some lawn-mowing and I can’t think of any other better animals to clear up the grass other than Ibex :D but in all seriousness, I think they should bring them back into exhibit. They’re sorely needed species that can be phased out and are a beautiful species as well.
 
Rum Creek is a large privately run captive breeding facility. They are known for creating large breeding groups of mega vertebrates (notably various rhino species) as well as some of the more delicate endangered hoof stock species (anoa, pygmy hippo). I am unsure whether they are part of the CSC2 or SPA groupings, but they would certainly qualify for it.
 
Rum Creek (also known as the Center for the Conservation of Tropical Ungulates) is the sister site of Iron Mountain Ranch. These two are highly secretive private breeding centers for rare hoofstock species. As mentioned earlier, some of San Diego's Mishmi Takin came from Iron Mountain.

~Thylo
 
This is what I can see on my phone as I read it:

SAN DIEGO — A new state-of-the-art hummingbird habitat is set to open at the San Diego Zoo on Tuesday.

FOX 5 got an inside look at the William E. Cole Hummingbird Habitat before it opens to the public on June 1. It is next to Komodo Kingdom, another brand new exhibit, at the entrance to the Sanford Children’s Zoo.

The 3,800 square-foot aviary is infinity-loop-shaped and will be home to three species of hummingbirds and 14 species of birds from South America. It features streams, cascading water, orchids and other epiphytes. There is a cenote-themed pool that guests can view from an observation bridge along the pathway.

To achieve a natural and intimate atmosphere, the plants in and around the aviary were selected with each bird’s native ranges in mind.

“We have these sections that are wire, but we have electric blinds that come down when it’s going to be especially cold at night,” David Rimlinger, curator of birds for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said.

While state-of-the-art technology and tools were essential for this project, the zoo says conservation was top of mind in every element, from the materials chosen for the project to the landscaping.

“We took over 100 trees, boxed them and relocated them to a safe location,” Eamonn Farrell, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Project Manager, said. “And then what they’ll do is, after we’ve re-sculpted this area, they go back in in different locations.”

The new Kenneth C. Griffin Komodo Kingdom is also set to open at the zoo on June 1.
 
I’ll be visiting the zoo this Wednesday and Thursday to do a photo shoot of the new exhibits as well as doing my usual monthly visit. I’ll try to post photos on Wednesday or at least earliest Thursday morning. Will also see how they’re enforcing their new maskless policy if vaccinated too so will update you all on it! :)
 
Could you take a picture of the species signage at the new aviary as well as asking on what will take over the old Komodo dragon exhibit?
 
Could you also try to get construction photos of the children's zoo? Also /if the Skyfari station is reopened can you see what replaced the swan pond?
I can get pics of the construction but I may not be able to get on the Skyfari, I am not completely comfortable with heights sometimes and I have only ridden it twice in the last 2 years :oops: haha
 
Not sure if this answers your question or not @Westcoastperson but here is an updated aerial of the Children's Zoo portion of the zoo from December 19th, 2020. Credit to Google Earth imagery.

upload_2021-6-1_17-10-38.png
 

Attachments

  • upload_2021-6-1_17-10-38.png
    upload_2021-6-1_17-10-38.png
    1.5 MB · Views: 66
Not sure if this answers your question or not @Westcoastperson but here is an updated aerial of the Children's Zoo portion of the zoo from December 19th, 2020. Credit to Google Earth imagery.

View attachment 489014
That's strange I don't have that updated on google earth but I have the most recent ariels of Los Angeles (not the zoo the city). But thank you, the date says this is about 7 months old which looks like a good timeline if they kept building at a good speed.
 
I’ll be visiting the zoo this Wednesday and Thursday to do a photo shoot of the new exhibits as well as doing my usual monthly visit. I’ll try to post photos on Wednesday or at least earliest Thursday morning. Will also see how they’re enforcing their new maskless policy if vaccinated too so will update you all on it! :)

Could you take a picture of the species signage at the new aviary as well as asking on what will take over the old Komodo dragon exhibit?

Very interested to see what species are co-habiting with the hummers, all the footage I've seen so far hasn't had any birds in it! Only the three hummer species have been confirmed. Was hoping for another more tropical species of hummingbird instead of two species easy to see on zoo grounds, but one is better than none! Especially since they're the only Emerald Hummingbirds in North America. :)
 
Very interested to see what species are co-habiting with the hummers, all the footage I've seen so far hasn't had any birds in it! Only the three hummer species have been confirmed. Was hoping for another more tropical species of hummingbird instead of two species easy to see on zoo grounds, but one is better than none! Especially since they're the only Emerald Hummingbirds in North America. :)
I’ve seen a snippet of some species via social media but will confirm with photos, will definitely do my best but can anticipate excited kids to overwhelm me a bit :D
 
Back
Top