Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo news 2021

Some updates from my visit today (8/16/21)
- I saw the above-mentioned new pigs and whooping crane chick.
- There was only 1 Crested Screamer in the exhibit today.
Lots of updates in the ARC:
- The cuttlefish tank was empty.
- The former surinam toad exhibit that had been empty for quite some time now has several Clouded Archerfish and Green Spotted Pufferfish.
- The Solomon Island Prehensile-tailed Skinks have both passed away. The exhibit is now home to a False Water Cobra.
In Small Mammals:
- There is a soon-expected/very recent birth of another Bushbaby
- There are Fennec Foxes again and inhabit the same three exhibits in the building they had previously.
I did not get to see the new gorilla family group, however, I saw both Maji and Hodari outside. Hadn't seen Hodari in quite some time, so it was good to see him again.
 
Wild wolverine said:
Some updates from my visit today (8/16/21)
- I saw the above-mentioned new pigs and whooping crane chick.
- There was only 1 Crested Screamer in the exhibit today.
Lots of updates in the ARC:
- The cuttlefish tank was empty.
- The former surinam toad exhibit that had been empty for quite some time now has several Clouded Archerfish and Green Spotted Pufferfish.
- The Solomon Island Prehensile-tailed Skinks have both passed away. The exhibit is now home to a False Water Cobra.
In Small Mammals:
- There is a soon-expected/very recent birth of another Bushbaby
- There are Fennec Foxes again and inhabit the same three exhibits in the building they had previously.
I did not get to see the new gorilla family group, however, I saw both Maji and Hodari outside. Hadn't seen Hodari in quite some time, so it was good to see him again.
Click to expand...
Do you know if the zoo ever got the male bongo?
 
The zoo has finally revealed the plan for the final phase of Adventure Africa. The plans include two new black rhinos yards - one taking up the two existing rhino exhibits and the other being built on the site of the old elephant exhibit. There will also be a new barn built over the existing pachyderm mall for both the rhinos and hippos that will include a naturally lit glass roof and significantly larger indoor exhibits. Rhinos will be viewed by entering the buildings south end by the giraffes, and the hippos will be viewed indoors on the north end across from Big Cat Country. In a surprising twist, caracal will be returning as well some additional small mammals. A rendering of the indoor hippo exhibit shows some free flight wading birds as well. What surprises me most, the indoor hippo exhibit actually looks like it will be naturalistic. I'll post some more thoughts later, but I will say I am cautiously optimistic about this final phase after seeing these plans. Its all projected to be done by 2023.

I uploaded some photos to the gallery. Check out the plan for yourself alongside some renderings of the indoor hippo exhibit.

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Site Plan

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Site Plan

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Indoor Hippo Exhibit

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Indoor Hippo Exhibit

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Indoor Hippo Exhibit

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Indoor Hippo Exhibit

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Rhino and Hippo Barn Entrance

Adventure Africa Phase 3 Concept Art - Rhino and Hippo Barn Entrance

 
Now that I spent some time analyzing and processing these plans, I have some things I want to discuss. First, here is some additional info bites that came along with these pictures describing the features included in the final phase.
  • Create two new indoor year-round exhibits: The Hippo and Rhino Rec Rooms. This is especially important as the Rec Rooms will provide two additional indoor viewing options for our guests and animals during Wisconsins cold weather months, similar to the Elephant Care Center
  • Revamp the old elephant yard and two current rhino yards into two large outdoor black rhino exhibits enhancing the zoos ability to breed rhinos. Current breeding opportunities are limited because of the slope in the current yards.
  • Utilize an animal-friendly, soft substrate in the Hippo and Rhino Rec Room indoor exhibits - a softer surface then the current concrete floors. The zoo is almost planning to incorporate an overhead open canopy, which will allow both the hippos and rhinos to have sunshine when they are inside.
  • Establish a pathway through the center of the zoo. Guests would be able to enter a new walkway next to the new Hippo Haven to stop by Big Cat Country or stroll through and exit near the camel yard. They may choose to visit the new Hippo Rec Room and visit the new small mammal exhibit.
  • Pending fundraising, design plans for the new rhino exhibit and central pathway should be finished by 2022, and the anticipated completion date for the rhino exhibit is 2023.
A few other things I noticed.
  • The "Hippo Home" that was built in 2008 will be kept around and guests may still be able to view from the inside. I would have rather it be turned into an off exhibit space because its not very pretty, but at least it will be easier to see if its viewed from the indoors.
  • The renderings of the indoor hippo exhibit show some free flight African herons. It is just concept art but would be super cool.
  • Something slightly confusing is the caracal and small mammal exhibit. Does this imply that caracal will be mixed with a small mammal? Will it be rotational? Two separate exhibits? I'm sure this is something that will be made clear in the final design.
  • The "Kifaru Trail" that is being built by the camels will run straight over the former Malayan tapir exhibit and asian black bear exhibit. That means both of these empty exhibits will be demolished.
  • The "Kibo Trail" will be built in between the hippo exhibit and the impala country exhibit. That empty grassy space left behind the hippo exhibit makes much more sense now.
Its sort of become a bit of a unanimous opinion that the Adventure Africa project has been rather underwhelming overall. Big improvements all around, but a lot of cutbacks and some questionable design decisions that could have made things way better if done differently. With that said, I am actually really excited about this final phase. The rhino exhibits will probably be good, if my math is correct the west yard (existing two rhinos yards) will be about a half acre while the east yard (old elephant yard) will only be about a quarter acre. The latter is a bit small but if some good enrichment features are built in it could be nice. What I'm really interested in is the indoor exhibits. I was fully expecting the zoo to once again go with function over aesthetics like the elephant barn, but they actually seem to be creating a barn that is both good functionally and has some great aesthetics! I love the open canopy roof and I wish this same style was done with the elephant building, it would have worked wonders. I do wonder if the soon to be director had some impact on this proposed design. If so, I am very optimistic for how future projects will turn out under his watch. As happy as I am with what I'm seeing, part of me is a bit upset that he wasn't brought on earlier to oversee this whole development. The elephant and hippo exhibits could have come out much differently for the better. There's no point in staying in the past however, let's look to the future and see what's in store for the third and final phase of this development!
 
pachyderm pro said:
Now that I spent some time analyzing and processing these plans, I have some things I want to discuss. First, here is some additional info bites that came along with these pictures describing the features included in the final phase.
  • Create two new indoor year-round exhibits: The Hippo and Rhino Rec Rooms. This is especially important as the Rec Rooms will provide two additional indoor viewing options for our guests and animals during Wisconsins cold weather months, similar to the Elephant Care Center
  • Revamp the old elephant yard and two current rhino yards into two large outdoor black rhino exhibits enhancing the zoos ability to breed rhinos. Current breeding opportunities are limited because of the slope in the current yards.
  • Utilize an animal-friendly, soft substrate in the Hippo and Rhino Rec Room indoor exhibits - a softer surface then the current concrete floors. The zoo is almost planning to incorporate an overhead open canopy, which will allow both the hippos and rhinos to have sunshine when they are inside.
  • Establish a pathway through the center of the zoo. Guests would be able to enter a new walkway next to the new Hippo Haven to stop by Big Cat Country or stroll through and exit near the camel yard. They may choose to visit the new Hippo Rec Room and visit the new small mammal exhibit.
  • Pending fundraising, design plans for the new rhino exhibit and central pathway should be finished by 2022, and the anticipated completion date for the rhino exhibit is 2023.
A few other things I noticed.
  • The "Hippo Home" that was built in 2008 will be kept around and guests may still be able to view from the inside. I would have rather it be turned into an off exhibit space because its not very pretty, but at least it will be easier to see if its viewed from the indoors.
  • The renderings of the indoor hippo exhibit show some free flight African herons. It is just concept art but would be super cool.
  • Something slightly confusing is the caracal and small mammal exhibit. Does this imply that caracal will be mixed with a small mammal? Will it be rotational? Two separate exhibits? I'm sure this is something that will be made clear in the final design.
  • The "Kifaru Trail" that is being built by the camels will run straight over the former Malayan tapir exhibit and asian black bear exhibit. That means both of these empty exhibits will be demolished.
  • The "Kibo Trail" will be built in between the hippo exhibit and the impala country exhibit. That empty grassy space left behind the hippo exhibit makes much more sense now.
Its sort of become a bit of a unanimous opinion that the Adventure Africa project has been rather underwhelming overall. Big improvements all around, but a lot of cutbacks and some questionable design decisions that could have made things way better if done differently. With that said, I am actually really excited about this final phase. The rhino exhibits will probably be good, if my math is correct the west yard (existing two rhinos yards) will be about a half acre while the east yard (old elephant yard) will only be about a quarter acre. The latter is a bit small but if some good enrichment features are built in it could be nice. What I'm really interested in is the indoor exhibits. I was fully expecting the zoo to once again go with function over aesthetics like the elephant barn, but they actually seem to be creating a barn that is both good functionally and has some great aesthetics! I love the open canopy roof and I wish this same style was done with the elephant building, it would have worked wonders. I do wonder if the soon to be director had some impact on this proposed design. If so, I am very optimistic for how future projects will turn out under his watch. As happy as I am with what I'm seeing, part of me is a bit upset that he wasn't brought on earlier to oversee this whole development. The elephant and hippo exhibits could have come out much differently for the better. There's no point in staying in the past however, let's look to the future and see what's in store for the third and final phase of this development!
Click to expand...
Sounds fantastic
 
pachyderm pro said:
Now that I spent some time analyzing and processing these plans, I have some things I want to discuss. First, here is some additional info bites that came along with these pictures describing the features included in the final phase.
  • Create two new indoor year-round exhibits: The Hippo and Rhino Rec Rooms. This is especially important as the Rec Rooms will provide two additional indoor viewing options for our guests and animals during Wisconsins cold weather months, similar to the Elephant Care Center
  • Revamp the old elephant yard and two current rhino yards into two large outdoor black rhino exhibits enhancing the zoos ability to breed rhinos. Current breeding opportunities are limited because of the slope in the current yards.
  • Utilize an animal-friendly, soft substrate in the Hippo and Rhino Rec Room indoor exhibits - a softer surface then the current concrete floors. The zoo is almost planning to incorporate an overhead open canopy, which will allow both the hippos and rhinos to have sunshine when they are inside.
  • Establish a pathway through the center of the zoo. Guests would be able to enter a new walkway next to the new Hippo Haven to stop by Big Cat Country or stroll through and exit near the camel yard. They may choose to visit the new Hippo Rec Room and visit the new small mammal exhibit.
  • Pending fundraising, design plans for the new rhino exhibit and central pathway should be finished by 2022, and the anticipated completion date for the rhino exhibit is 2023.
A few other things I noticed.
  • The "Hippo Home" that was built in 2008 will be kept around and guests may still be able to view from the inside. I would have rather it be turned into an off exhibit space because its not very pretty, but at least it will be easier to see if its viewed from the indoors.
  • The renderings of the indoor hippo exhibit show some free flight African herons. It is just concept art but would be super cool.
  • Something slightly confusing is the caracal and small mammal exhibit. Does this imply that caracal will be mixed with a small mammal? Will it be rotational? Two separate exhibits? I'm sure this is something that will be made clear in the final design.
  • The "Kifaru Trail" that is being built by the camels will run straight over the former Malayan tapir exhibit and asian black bear exhibit. That means both of these empty exhibits will be demolished.
  • The "Kibo Trail" will be built in between the hippo exhibit and the impala country exhibit. That empty grassy space left behind the hippo exhibit makes much more sense now.
Its sort of become a bit of a unanimous opinion that the Adventure Africa project has been rather underwhelming overall. Big improvements all around, but a lot of cutbacks and some questionable design decisions that could have made things way better if done differently. With that said, I am actually really excited about this final phase. The rhino exhibits will probably be good, if my math is correct the west yard (existing two rhinos yards) will be about a half acre while the east yard (old elephant yard) will only be about a quarter acre. The latter is a bit small but if some good enrichment features are built in it could be nice. What I'm really interested in is the indoor exhibits. I was fully expecting the zoo to once again go with function over aesthetics like the elephant barn, but they actually seem to be creating a barn that is both good functionally and has some great aesthetics! I love the open canopy roof and I wish this same style was done with the elephant building, it would have worked wonders. I do wonder if the soon to be director had some impact on this proposed design. If so, I am very optimistic for how future projects will turn out under his watch. As happy as I am with what I'm seeing, part of me is a bit upset that he wasn't brought on earlier to oversee this whole development. The elephant and hippo exhibits could have come out much differently for the better. There's no point in staying in the past however, let's look to the future and see what's in store for the third and final phase of this development!
Click to expand...
Beware the value-engineering fairy... beware... beware...
 
pachyderm pro said:
The zoo has finally revealed the plan for the final phase of Adventure Africa.
Click to expand...

That's great! Where did you find these images?

Do you know what the plan is for the dall sheep exhibit? They say it'll have an African animal but the only thing I can think of inhabiting a cliff face like that is a klipspringer or a rock hyrax. I'd love to get klipspringers though!
 
turkeyfox said:
That's great! Where did you find these images?

Do you know what the plan is for the dall sheep exhibit? They say it'll have an African animal but the only thing I can think of inhabiting a cliff face like that is a klipspringer or a rock hyrax. I'd love to get klipspringers though!
Click to expand...
The renders and all of the information came from the zoos member magazine. No idea what will happen to the old dall sheep mountain. It will definitely be demolished eventually and an African species will take its place, but that could be anything.
 
pachyderm pro said:
The renders and all of the information came from the zoos member magazine. No idea what will happen to the old dall sheep mountain. It will definitely be demolished eventually and an African species will take its place, but that could be anything.
Click to expand...

Oh I see, if it's getting demolished then it could be literally anything.
 
pachyderm pro said:
The renders and all of the information came from the zoos member magazine. No idea what will happen to the old dall sheep mountain. It will definitely be demolished eventually and an African species will take its place, but that could be anything.
Click to expand...
I assume that the Dall's sheep may become part of that Alaska habitat (just assumptions of mine ...).

I am pleased to note that my inkling that the new director might change narrative and tack on new zoo design seems to become a reality in the new hippo and rhino build. Hopefully, down the line they might still do some architectural and immersion improvements on the current Phase I and II African Savannah.

Would be nice to see some primates (Colobus) move into that area too.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I assume that the Dall's sheep may become part of that Alaska habitat (just assumptions of mine ...).

I am pleased to note that my inkling that the new director might change narrative and tack on new zoo design seems to become a reality in the new hippo and rhino build. Hopefully, down the line they might still do some architectural and immersion improvements on the current Phase I and II African Savannah.

Would be nice to see some primates (Colobus) move into that area too.
Click to expand...

It is really far from the rest of the North American exhibits. It is also surrounded by African exhibits, so it would look weird.
 
EsserWarrior said:
It is really far from the rest of the North American exhibits. It is also surrounded by African exhibits, so it would look weird.
Click to expand...
I would personally favour more clustering of the North American habitats together - so move away the Alaska-polar area up West and expand the mid NorthEast exhibit theme. In truth, there really is a vast area of open space available to add some meaningful exhibitry for other North American animals.

Representative areas for Asia and South American are even non-existent. The primate area is really out of the way. To make it more ambitious they might want to create a Tropical Rainforest building (just dreaming).
 
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I really have high hopes for whatever project may come after the rhino expansion. I feel like we will get a taste of what’s to come under the new director since they are pushing the design process off a year. It was suppose to be done this past May/June. However with the change of zoo directors I think the direction is changing. So we can only wait and see what’s to come.


As for what’s next, the Alaskan Gold Coast is slated to be the next big project. The bears will finally get an updated exhibit and not just the patch work of things that they keep updating the sign on over by the “Nourish 414” of how the exhibit has been improved. Also, I’m not sure how the new expansion will change from the original plans, especially with the lack of polar bears currently and they are suppose to be one of the star exhibits. However, just getting back from Omaha Zoo and seeing their Alaskan pinniped exhibit, I could only dream something like that would MCZ. It did make me feel like I was actually on the coast and everything had a story to tell.


Time will tell, although it’s exciting time. Who know they may go super crazy and throw out the master plan and focus their efforts on something entirely different.
 
Honestly given the ever worsening state of the polar bear SSP and how common sea lions are, I hope the zoos new director abandons this part of the master plan or at least pushes it back in favor of other priorities. As well both species are among the most expensive to construct exhibits for and I just don’t think it’s a wise investment. Thats my personal opinion, although we have seen zoos question there investment especially in polar bears given how many new exhibits hold just a single bear.
 
nczoofan said:
Honestly given the ever worsening state of the polar bear SSP and how common sea lions are, I hope the zoos new director abandons this part of the master plan or at least pushes it back in favor of other priorities. As well both species are among the most expensive to construct exhibits for and I just don’t think it’s a wise investment. Thats my personal opinion, although we have seen zoos question there investment especially in polar bears given how many new exhibits hold just a single bear.
Click to expand...
Just want to reiterate that I agree with everything said in this post. I've said multiple times that I think its in Milwaukees best interest to get out of polar bears for a while and I still am sticking to that. They have the worst exhibit left in the country and nothing else even comes close. They have a single elderly female and I am honestly shocked she has lived this long. I don't doubt she gets excellent care from her keepers, but the exhibit is a complete dumpster fire that is horrible for any animal that has the displeasure of living in it. Its the one area of the zoo I specifically curb because every time I've gone in the past I see her lethargically pacing along the edge of the moat and its a terribly saddening thing to see. The proposed polar bear exhibit in the master plan was one of my least favorite parts of the whole plan and would have still been way too tiny. Even though Milwaukee has a long history with them, spending millions of dollars on an animal that has such an uncertain future in zoos with limited numbers just doesn't make any sense and I am hoping new management feels the same way.

With that said, instead of California sea lions I really want Milwaukee to bring in the much more impressive and underappreciated steller's sea lion. I think they would make a marvelous display and fit the Alaskan theme of the upcoming area way better. Similar to @MKE Zoo guy I am much more optimistic about the zoos future than I have been in recent memory. If the recently released renders for the rhino/hippo complex are anything to go by, I really think we could see a major change in design philosophy in upcoming projects. Adventure Africa has been kind of a bust so far and even though it has eliminated some of the worst exhibits in the zoo - and sadly some of the best as well - and overall is a significant improvement for all of the animals involved, theres a laundry list of squared potential and bizarre design decisions that were made. I really do think and hope we see some big changes under Mr Morris, especially if his work at Fresno is anything to go by. I don't want everything in the master plan to be rethought - I really liked the Wild Woods and Escape to the Islands exhibit concepts - but a good amount of the plan felt like more of a fresh coat of paint then something entirely new (The Jungle, Asia Trail and Alaskan exhibit plans). Milwaukee needs new so hopefully we get some more ambition and exciting projects in the future.

Luckily, in a place like Wisconsin it should be a bit easier to design an Alaskan exhibit then an African exhibit. I really believe Alaskas Cold Coast could be a groundbreaking complex if done right.
 
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It would be sad to see any species phased out of Milwaukee's collection, as they have one of the best collections - in my opinion - of any zoo that I have been too.. but with that being said, many of the exhibits are outdated and need to be redone. (Things like the Small Mammal Building and the Primates of the World/Apes of Africa have wonderful collections, so I would hate to see any of these buildings lose species.)
 
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