San Antonio Zoo San Antonio Zoo News 2022

The zoo should look for a new Asian Elephant as a companion for Nicole, considering Lucky is 62 and has many health issues.

I doubt that. Lucky was always healthier looking than Karen in recent years, as Karen didn’t move as much and may have had some foot issues. Lucky seems fine as of now, obviously she is old but she is active, has a great appetite and is on the hefty side. I hope she’s got a few good years in her. But if and when she passes, Nicole should be sent away to another zoo. The zoo does not plan to keep elephants in this exhibit long-term and I doubt they’ll try to bring in any additional elephants until they get a newer and larger exhibit. But for now lets mourn Karen and then focus on the elephants they have.
 
I doubt that. Lucky was always healthier looking than Karen in recent years, as Karen didn’t move as much and may have had some foot issues. Lucky seems fine as of now, obviously she is old but she is active, has a great appetite and is on the hefty side. I hope she’s got a few good years in her. But if and when she passes, Nicole should be sent away to another zoo. The zoo does not plan to keep elephants in this exhibit long-term and I doubt they’ll try to bring in any additional elephants until they get a newer and larger exhibit. But for now lets mourn Karen and then focus on the elephants they have.
Past that, if they do end up going out of the elephant business, the addition of gorillas'll definitely soften the blow. I want to be optimistic about the elephant population in the US, and I am definitely thankful for how well the Asian elephant population is doing, and as for the African elephant population...

 
Past that, if they do end up going out of the elephant business, the addition of gorillas'll definitely soften the blow. I want to be optimistic about the elephant population in the US, and I am definitely thankful for how well the Asian elephant population is doing, and as for the African elephant population...


It definitely will. I believe the zoo is intent on maintaining elephants long-term so I would keep an eye out for the 9 or so undeveloped acres across the highway from the current zoo. But thats would be after gorillas and the entrance zone at minimum. Its also dependent on demographic trends as you said.
 
It definitely will. I believe the zoo is intent on maintaining elephants long-term so I would keep an eye out for the 9 or so undeveloped acres across the highway from the current zoo. But thats would be after gorillas and the entrance zone at minimum. Its also dependent on demographic trends as you said.
I would also figure that San Antonio would possibly plan for a future new group of African or Asiatic elephants at some undetermined point in the future.
 
Spring Break event underway at San Antonio Zoo amid $60M expansion plans

Here's a brief article on the zoos expansion. They touch on the new entrance and upcoming gorilla exhibit. More interesting though is the confirmation that the area west of the highway will be used for larger exhibits. That'll be at least 5 years down the road but I'd expect some more details in the not too distant future especially if it involves upgrades for some ABC species.
 
Visited the zoo the other day and they have removed the signs for the Malayan Tapir. The exhibit looks empty as well so I imagine there elderly tapir has now passed. But I can’t confirm that yet :(
 
Visited the zoo the other day and they have removed the signs for the Malayan Tapir. The exhibit looks empty as well so I imagine there elderly tapir has now passed. But I can’t confirm that yet :(
I guess you are right. I suppose the species will not come back to San Antonio Climate Wise and if any tapir return probably Baird's ...
 
I guess you are right. I suppose the species will not come back to San Antonio Climate Wise and if any tapir return probably Baird's ...

The exhibit is slightly old, but with renovations it could be a nice exhibit for a bunch of species. The main issue is the current land area is split into 2 by a hideous fence. Maybe they could remove that and it’ll improve it. The pool is very large though being part of the manmade river that flows through the zoo though. So maybe Baird’s Tapir with some renovations or just capybara are a temporary replacement. Another option could be one of the crocodilian’s, given that it’s bigger than the existing displays and has an attached indoor building.
 
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