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Xiao, a female Chinese alligator recently moved from San Diego to Santa Barbara and it sounds like she will be participating in breeding.
Santa Barbara already held another female Chinese alligator. I do not think they will get another one for breeding. I am guessing SDZ is moving out of the species alltogether.
 
Santa Barbara already held another female Chinese alligator. I do not think they will get another one for breeding. I am guessing SDZ is moving out of the species alltogether.
During the announcement of the new alligator the zoo mentioned their involvement in the Chinese Alligator SSP so I would assume the animal would be involved in breeding.
 
During the announcement of the new alligator the zoo mentioned their involvement in the Chinese Alligator SSP so I would assume the animal would be involved in breeding.
The involvement in the program does not automatically imply that the location is or will be a recommended breeding facility. As late as 2020, it surely was most definitely not.

BTW: I believe currently the Chinese alligator SSP has been revived after years of moribund inactivity (this in turn after a good Number of years good breeding results at NY Bronx ...). ATM, it seems some 10-12 zoos have a breeding recommendation going. There must be some odd 30 zoos holding Chinese alligators in US zoos.

It would be great if succesful breeding is reinstated across the SSP and that offspring in due course can also be sent back to PR China for reintroduction into the wild.


As a point of interest, their elderly American alligator Mary Lou passed away in January 2021. This meant another exhibit might be free.
 
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As a point of interest, their elderly American alligator Mary Lou passed away in January 2021. This meant another exhibit might be free.

I was at the Santa Barbara Zoo on Sunday and can confirm the exhibit where Mary Lou resided prior to her passing is currently empty. I did not inquire as to their plans for that space.
 
During my visit on September 12, I inquired about the anticipated opening date of the new Australian Walkabout exhibit and was told construction was a little behind schedule. They're now hoping it'll be ready by the end of the year or early 2022 although their website still says it's opening October 2021.

They've attached plexiglass to the wire at the smaller viewing area at the snow leopard exhibit. I was told they noticed Kisa spending more time in that area and it was placed there out of an abundance of caution due to COVID-19.
 
There is an approximately 2 week old Blue Crowned Pigeon chick in the Wings of Asia Aviary.
 
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