San Antonio Zoo San Antonio Zoo News & Updates 2021

The zoo has kept its master plan and capital campaign which is hovering around $200 million close to its chest but I heard what is the likely first phase of it.

The first phase seems to be a larger entrance complex on the site of the existing one (also replacing the monkey house, but leaving both the aquarium and reptile house intact). This entrance complex would include a new administrative building as well as a rental facility. It may also entail some renovations of the existing bear displays (not known if those species would stay). The whole design is not settled upon though.


The other half of this phase would be a gorilla habitat, finally bringing a great ape to the zoo. This site is slated to be where the sitatunga, former rift valley, and hoofstock yards (anteater, addax, gazelle) currently are. As well it will use undeveloped land on top of the quarry. Again details are not finalized yet the zoo seems to be focused on maximizing its existing site before expanding under the highway.
 
The San Antonio Zoo has announced a slate of ecotherm births/hatches from the last month or so.
  • Charco Palma pupfish (Extinct in the Wild)
  • Eastern Pilbarra spiny-tailed skinks (Least Concern)
  • Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko (Vulnerable; SSP species)
  • La Palma pupfish (Extinct in the Wild)
  • Mexican lance-headed rattlesnakes (Least Concern; SSP species)
  • Minckley cichlids (Endangered)
  • San Marcos redtail splitfin (Critically Endangered)
  • Tequila splitfin (Critically Endangered)
  • Yunnan mountain rat snakes (Least Concern)

Few zoos if any do as much with endangered freshwater fish than the San Antonio Zoo, so it is always great that they publicize their breeding results.
 
pachyderm pro said:
I found this part of the article to be rather funny.

"The habitat, which is the first of its kind in the U.S., is expected to open in the fall."

Yep, a cat exhibit with an overhead walkway has definitely never been done before, and definitely not in the U.S. :p
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Considering how few major improvements the zoos had let there PR team go wild :rolleyes: It’ll be interesting though as the new Jaguar exhibit (which actually is the old exhibit) and the current Jaguar exhibit will be linked by the trail, with the train going through the middle of the Amazonia aviary. I’m not sure how many zoos have a trail through another exhibit though.
 
The zoo has released renderings of their new precinct (Neotropica), which will be opening this fall:

San Antonio Zoo names new exhibits, expected to be completed this fall | kens5.com

We’re also excited to release renderings of a new realm, Neotropica, which is scheduled to be completed this fall along with Pantera Walk.

The realm’s theme will focus on the Neotropical regions of the Americas and include enhancements that stretch from the current Outpost Amazonia through the new jaguar habitat and other regional habitats in that area.

Neotropica will create the feel of a remote fishing village with motifs characteristic of the Americas and nods to pre-Hispanic cultures.
 
Arizona Docent said:
The jaguar skywalk with its thick steel beams appears to be unnecessarily heavy duty. I mean it looks like it is meant to hold the weight of a motor vehicle, not just a big cat.
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Probably has to do with the ground work. San Antonio Zoo is built on a Limestone Rock Quarry. If it's anything like my house's foundation, there's no getting in deep and you can't count on things to hold up for the long term on the unreliable surface.

Just a guess, but I'd bet it has to do with the poor foundation the entire zoo is built on.
 
Trowaman said:
Probably has to do with the ground work. San Antonio Zoo is built on a Limestone Rock Quarry. If it's anything like my house's foundation, there's no getting in deep and you can't count on things to hold up for the long term on the unreliable surface.

Just a guess, but I'd bet it has to do with the poor foundation the entire zoo is built on.
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I imagine being on the stream through the zoo is also a factor. Doing high rainfall events it could definitely raise the water level a bit, hence the jaguar walkway is raised and overbuilt for the site.
 
The permanent butterfly house has been approved. Below are some schematics of the project, which will attach a greenhouse to the Discovery House. The discovery house will also receive some renovations.

Zoo_ButterflyHouse.jpg

Zoo_ButterflyHouse-Interior.jpg

Zoo_ButterflyHouse_floorplan.jpg
 
Here is the full press release that was sent out today:

San Antonio Zoo is proud to announce its 2022 attraction, Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot (KTTNS) Reimagined. Renderings of KTTNS Reimagined were unveiled today, showcasing an improved and expanded Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot. In December 2020, Kronkosky awarded San Antonio Zoo a $1,000,000 challenge grant for KTTNS Reimagined. KTTNS Reimagined will open in early summer 2022 and include a brand new 1680 sq ft., year-round butterfly house with a chrysalis room. The chrysalis room will allow guests of all ages to witness the transformation from chrysalis to butterfly—the newly renovated and newly named 4468 sq ft. Discovery PLAYce will have indoor play places for crawlers, wobblers, and walkers and will feature bugs and animals that can be encountered right here in South Texas. The outdoor play space will undergo a complete transformation allowing our youngest knee-high naturalists to immerse themselves in nature-based play with a custom design by world-reknowned nature playscape designer, Rusty Keeler.

Established in October 2004 through a generous donation from the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation, Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot has been a perennial favorite for young children visiting the zoo for more than a decade. However, time (and love) has taken a toll on the entire realm. Significant renovations are needed to ensure engagement in this much-loved zoo destination.

Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot has received several awards and recognitions over the years. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Exhibit Award in 2006, which recognizes excellence in the area of live animal display and exhibit design by an AZA-Accredited Institution (US or International) or Certified Related Facility member.

San Antonio Zoo has made Parents Magazine's top kid-friendly zoos lists a number of times, first appearing at #6 on the inaugural list in 2009. In 2016 San Antonio Zoo was honored for having strong exhibits and programming for children of all ages, highlighting the zoo being the first in the nation to create a children's zoo specifically designed for young children. Editors said the only challenge they found with Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot is what to do first: "Dig up carrots to feed the guinea pigs? Look for animal tracks? Dress up like a vet? Or splash in a small stream (while you relax on the nearby beach)?"

In July of 2021, Reader's Digest named San Antonio Zoo the Best Zoo In Texas, stating If there's one thing this Texas zoo wants you to do, it's to get outside and play. Home to Kronkosky Tiny Tot Nature Spot, which is the nation's first children's zoo specifically for kids under the age of five, this San Antonio destination offers all sorts of unique activities that will keep little ones entertained for hours. Go on a bug safari, make monkey treats (then watch the primates enjoy them!), or crawl through underground tunnels like a prairie dog.

"For 17 years, the Kronkosky's Tiny Tot Nature Spot has provided an interactive space featuring nature and animals, where families and children play and learn together, in line with the mission of the Kronkosky's to promote profound good for our communities," said Rachell Hathaway, Kronkosky's Charitable Foundation Program Manager.

Studies show that American children spend less than seven minutes a week in unstructured outdoor play. With constant adult control, how can we expect kids to develop skills to initiate, negotiate, and problem solve independently? This nature deficit impacts the child's physical and mental health. It makes it harder for children to understand and appreciate the importance of nature and the conservation of our earth's valuable natural resources.

"We are honored to have received the Kronkosky Charitable Foundation challenge grant, making Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot Reimagined possible for 2022," said Tim Morrow, San Antonio Zoo President & CEO " Kronkosky’s Tiny Tot Nature Spot has received national recognition for it’s impact and we are proud it is here at San Antonio Zoo for our community."

For anyone wanting to contribute to this project please email our Development Team at Development@sazoo.org
 
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