Bornean orangutan due any time from late May:
Baby orangutan coming to Vilas Zoo, could be born at end of May
Baby orangutan coming to Vilas Zoo, could be born at end of May
Henry Vilas Zoo Henry Vilas Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter birdsandbats
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AnonGibbon
Active Member
Very exciting! Somewhat surprising considering Chelsea is 31 and already had (a) bab(y)(ies) back when she lived in Greenville. I don't know much about the orangutan SSP though.
County investigation of Vilas Zoo confirms 'toxic' work environment, blames staff not bosses
Dane County Board probe of Vilas Zoo could trigger 'nightmare scenario,' county attorney says
Some more developments regarding the culture at the zoo and related animal welfare concerns. It increasingly seems it's a combative place to work and all sides share the blame. County exec Parisi looks really bad in all of this. Still no statement from him. I'm very glad the county board is not taking this lightly.
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Chelsea previously gave birth to a male infant January 23, 2006. He was named Bob and was sired by Mia.
31 years is still plenty young enough to have an infant. This species can reliably breed into their late 30’s (and a few have had infants into their mid 40’s).
Auckland Zoo’s female Bornean orangutan gave birth a few weeks ago at the age of 33 years. This followed a 16 year gap since she last gave birth in November 2005.
Booger the Bactrian Camel was humanely euthanized today, according to one of the former keeper’s Instagrams.
It’ll be interesting to see if they bring in another camel for their female, or if they will send her to another facility. They recently sent out one of their giraffes, so I wonder if they’re going to do their African expansion sometime soon?
It’ll be interesting to see if they bring in another camel for their female, or if they will send her to another facility. They recently sent out one of their giraffes, so I wonder if they’re going to do their African expansion sometime soon?
AnonGibbon
Active Member
Will miss him . They said they are looking for another camel to live with Altain. Log into Facebook
I like the zoo says they provide animals with care from birth until death on their post… according to keepers, they don’t
One of the keeper's posted a photo of an Eastern black-and-white colobus, and it appeared they were on exhibit. So I suppose they are back on exhibit now? They were scheduled to receive a new female to pair with their older male, so maybe they decided to house them with the new Rock Hyrax?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
You have it backwards, I think. New male to go with older female. I guess that also explains why I didn’t see the lemurs in the central room with the hyraxes.
Either way, I’m excited. Now I won’t have to correct all the parents who tell their kids that they’re going to go see the monkeys in the primate house!
Either way, I’m excited. Now I won’t have to correct all the parents who tell their kids that they’re going to go see the monkeys in the primate house!
AnonGibbon
Active Member
There was also a short video of a colobus on the zoo's Instagram story several days ago. I'll visit soon and report back.
Not sure about this: the animal sheet I have only lists Sammy, the older male. The info I have could well be incorrect though.
It will be nice to have some monkeys on exhibit again!
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I messaged you about the source I got this info from!
AnonGibbon
Active Member
Visited yesterday - lots of construction to repave pathways around the zoo. No colobus monkeys on exhibit yet, but also no lemurs in the middle exhibit in the primate building - the door to the back of the exhibit was open. Everything else was normal.
Other news: the county board approved an investigation into the zoo. https://www.nbc15.com/2022/06/03/dane-co-supervisors-approve-investigation-henry-vilas-zoo/
Other news: the county board approved an investigation into the zoo. https://www.nbc15.com/2022/06/03/dane-co-supervisors-approve-investigation-henry-vilas-zoo/
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
I visited the zoo today (I didn’t have a good time, but that was due to my visit being poorly-planned on my part), and I’ve got some stuff to report.
Still no sign of the colobus monkeys, and there were lemurs in the middle primate building exhibit.
Lazarus the Alligator Snapping Turtle (who has the best name of any animal at Henry Vilas, imo) is back on exhibit due to the weather finally being alligator-friendly again.
The zoo is down to one Indian Crested Porcupine. Baxter passed away last year, leaving only Bam-Bam.
No bears of either kind were visible.
Bird flu precautions are still in place, which means no aviary, no penguins, and no Sandhill Crane until further notice (the flamingos are still visible in their winter quarters, as is the hornbill in the Green Barn).
Hopefully the aviary will reopen soon. Visits to the zoo have been so same-y for the past 2 years without it. I’ll be back at the zoo in a couple weeks for volunteering, so I’ll report back here after that.
Still no sign of the colobus monkeys, and there were lemurs in the middle primate building exhibit.
Lazarus the Alligator Snapping Turtle (who has the best name of any animal at Henry Vilas, imo) is back on exhibit due to the weather finally being alligator-friendly again.
The zoo is down to one Indian Crested Porcupine. Baxter passed away last year, leaving only Bam-Bam.
No bears of either kind were visible.
Bird flu precautions are still in place, which means no aviary, no penguins, and no Sandhill Crane until further notice (the flamingos are still visible in their winter quarters, as is the hornbill in the Green Barn).
Hopefully the aviary will reopen soon. Visits to the zoo have been so same-y for the past 2 years without it. I’ll be back at the zoo in a couple weeks for volunteering, so I’ll report back here after that.
AnonGibbon
Active Member
The irony in letting penguins get eaten by raccoons but keeping an individual separately-housed sandhill crane inside for fear of bird flu.... it really doesn't make any sense IMO.
Given they couldn't figure out how to open the aviary for two years because of COVID (meanwhile every other zoo opened their aviaries within a few months to a year), I don't think bird flu precautions will end any time soon at HVZ. I'd expect them to be among the last to reopen bird exhibits in the midwest anyway. I hope I'm wrong
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Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Um… from what I heard, they didn’t leave the penguins out, the raccoon broke in through a vent. I don’t know if that makes it any better (probably not).
Honestly, I don’t get why Henry Vilas is getting dragged for this while DC lost a third of their flamingos to a single fox. Maybe I’m reacting too emotionally to this, but I’m just tired of bad things happening to this zoo.
Also, I got the information about the raccoon pulling an Among Us on the penguins (because killing and vents, it sounded funnier in my head, ok?) from the zoo’s head of Volunteering, who also said that the initial article about the stuff behind the scenes at the zoo wasn’t particularly well-made. They also revealed the truth on what happened to Shrek the Capybara, which I will present now:
Shrek had just gotten back from a check-up or something at the Animal Health Center, he was mildly sedated, and was accompanied by a couple veterinarians. To keep him safe, the pool in his enclosure was drained so that he wouldn’t drown. Suddenly, something spooked Shrek, and he vaulted over one of the vets and into the empty pool, breaking his legs. Shrek was immediately rushed back to the health center, where he died overnight (not “found dead the next morning” like the article says).
They couldn’t speak on behalf of the seal, as that was before they came to the zoo, and I didn’t ask them about the hornbill or the aracaris, so maybe they’re not the best person to ask, so to speak, but they told me all this right after I emailed them about the article. I will try to contact them some time this summer for more information.
Sorry for the late-night text wall, but I’ve been holding this in for months. I’m tired of the Henry Vilas Zoo slander, and while I know that some things need to change there, not everything said in that article was true. Thank you, and goodnight.
AnonGibbon
Active Member
Sorry, my reply was a little bit crass. Don't get me wrong, I really do like this zoo. I visit often. I only mean to address that some of the bird flu precautions seem over-the-top compared to the low level of care taken in other decisions.
That additional information does explain quite a bit - thanks for sharing. Accidents happen at zoos, but based on the information in that article about raccoon traps and exhibit designs/choices, it seems some negligence from management led to some of these accidents, and that should be urgently addressed. So far, I'm very disappointed with how zoo and county executive leadership has failed to take any action.
My problem(s) with the zoo is 90% with management and 10% with animal care - as far as I'm aware they do provide good care for their animals. Staffing decisions like keeping Ronda Schwetz as director is where most of the issues seem to arise.
Thanks for the information and helping to clarify some of the issues here.
Interesting! This actually makes more sense than just him jumping into the pool for no reason.
I second this. There are a few husbandry things that are not perfect. (The current African Penguin exhibit is the biggest problem.) However, I think Henry Vilas is similar to Milwaukee, where they do not have the funding to be able to easily construct new exhibits. This may be wrong, but it is just what I assumed. Henry Vilas Zoo's admission is free, and it is not in a huge city. I feel like renovating some parts of the zoo would make it quite the high-class little facility!
Henry Vilas Zoo Dream Plans
Overall, Henry Vilas Zoo is an "average" zoo. It isn't on the same level as some of the larger zoos, but it is much better than a lot of the smaller zoos - especially when compared to other Wisconsin zoos. However, there are some changes that I wouldn't mind seeing, so I thought it would be fun to make some "dream plans" for the zoo. (I'd love to see what you guys would like to change as well, especially @AnonGibbon @Corangurilla @birdsandbats @MKE Zoo guy and @Milwaukee Man )
Africa Expansion
It appeared that the zoo had plans to tear down the existing rhino, giraffe, camel, and some of the other vacant enclosures in that portion of the zoo. They wanted to use that space to construct new rhino, giraffe, and zebra enclosures.
Personally, I would love to see the zoo go through with these plans. I believe they included a new African Penguin exhibit here as well, so that would be perfect! I'd be curious to see if the zoo would try to breed giraffes and rhinos, or if they would continue to be a housing facility.
However, there are a few things I would tweak. I'd scrap the plans for zebras, as I would like to see the zoo continue to exhibit Somali wild ass. I would also tear down the current North American porcupine exhibit, and I would transform that area into a new exhibit for the meerkats and aardvark.
Children's Zoo Renovation - New Asian Exhibit
As stated above, the meerkats and aardvark would no longer be in this portion of the zoo. The "barns" in this portion of the zoo are unique, but I think that they are starting to get a little outdated.
With the Indian crested porcupines on their way out, and the only species remaining in this area being red pandas and lar gibbons, I think that it would be interesting to see this area get renovated into a new Asian themed region. (With the new African expansion, the zoo would have lots of African, South American, and North American representation, so it is only right for them to get a new Asian area as well.) This space isn't huge, but I think they could do something fun with the space that they have.
Red pandas and lar gibbons are two of the most popular species at the zoo, so they would have to stay. I think it would be in the zoo's best interest to build an exhibit for some sort of cat species as well. Everyone loves cats, especially big cats, but I think this space may be too small for something like a clouded leopard or amur/snow leopard. However, I think that fishing cats or Pallas cats could fit well in this area. Prevost's squirrels, binturongs, muntjac/tufted deer would also fit well in this area too.
New North American Porcupine Exhibit/Bison Expansion
The Wisconsin Heritage expansion provided the zoo's badgers with a fantastic new enclosure, but their old enclosure next to the zoo's bison has been vacant for a while now. I think that the zoo could tear down the walkway and platform that wraps around the bison enclosure, as the prairie dogs are no longer on exhibit up there, and they could use that area to expand the current bison enclosure. I think they could also use this opportunity to build a new North American porcupine exhibit in that area as well.
New Exhibit in African Penguin/Tent Area
With a new African Penguin exhibit being built in the new African expansion, the zoo would be left with an empty area. I think a new South American species could do well in this area, especially if they expanded the exhibit down into the nearby tent area. (The zoo has tons of places to eat, so I think that losing one of them wouldn't be a major loss.) I don't know what species they could put here... maybe pudu, maned wolves, or tapir?
Overall, Henry Vilas Zoo is an "average" zoo. It isn't on the same level as some of the larger zoos, but it is much better than a lot of the smaller zoos - especially when compared to other Wisconsin zoos. However, there are some changes that I wouldn't mind seeing, so I thought it would be fun to make some "dream plans" for the zoo. (I'd love to see what you guys would like to change as well, especially @AnonGibbon @Corangurilla @birdsandbats @MKE Zoo guy and @Milwaukee Man )
Africa Expansion
It appeared that the zoo had plans to tear down the existing rhino, giraffe, camel, and some of the other vacant enclosures in that portion of the zoo. They wanted to use that space to construct new rhino, giraffe, and zebra enclosures.
Personally, I would love to see the zoo go through with these plans. I believe they included a new African Penguin exhibit here as well, so that would be perfect! I'd be curious to see if the zoo would try to breed giraffes and rhinos, or if they would continue to be a housing facility.
However, there are a few things I would tweak. I'd scrap the plans for zebras, as I would like to see the zoo continue to exhibit Somali wild ass. I would also tear down the current North American porcupine exhibit, and I would transform that area into a new exhibit for the meerkats and aardvark.
Children's Zoo Renovation - New Asian Exhibit
As stated above, the meerkats and aardvark would no longer be in this portion of the zoo. The "barns" in this portion of the zoo are unique, but I think that they are starting to get a little outdated.
With the Indian crested porcupines on their way out, and the only species remaining in this area being red pandas and lar gibbons, I think that it would be interesting to see this area get renovated into a new Asian themed region. (With the new African expansion, the zoo would have lots of African, South American, and North American representation, so it is only right for them to get a new Asian area as well.) This space isn't huge, but I think they could do something fun with the space that they have.
Red pandas and lar gibbons are two of the most popular species at the zoo, so they would have to stay. I think it would be in the zoo's best interest to build an exhibit for some sort of cat species as well. Everyone loves cats, especially big cats, but I think this space may be too small for something like a clouded leopard or amur/snow leopard. However, I think that fishing cats or Pallas cats could fit well in this area. Prevost's squirrels, binturongs, muntjac/tufted deer would also fit well in this area too.
New North American Porcupine Exhibit/Bison Expansion
The Wisconsin Heritage expansion provided the zoo's badgers with a fantastic new enclosure, but their old enclosure next to the zoo's bison has been vacant for a while now. I think that the zoo could tear down the walkway and platform that wraps around the bison enclosure, as the prairie dogs are no longer on exhibit up there, and they could use that area to expand the current bison enclosure. I think they could also use this opportunity to build a new North American porcupine exhibit in that area as well.
New Exhibit in African Penguin/Tent Area
With a new African Penguin exhibit being built in the new African expansion, the zoo would be left with an empty area. I think a new South American species could do well in this area, especially if they expanded the exhibit down into the nearby tent area. (The zoo has tons of places to eat, so I think that losing one of them wouldn't be a major loss.) I don't know what species they could put here... maybe pudu, maned wolves, or tapir?
AnonGibbon
Active Member
I like this!
The African area plans are pretty solid and almost certain to happen. The zoo has awarded about $150,000 (IIRC) for the design contract already. I agree that the zoo would be better to keep wild ass instead of zebras. According to a county document, the rhino spaces need to be big enough for "at least two individuals", and the giraffe spaces need to be able to "accommodate potential breeding". Meerkats are mentioned as a possible small animal for one of the exhibits in the new African area.
As for cats - the zoo's next major project after the African exhibits will be cat-focused. The plans for it do mention snow and clouded leopards and/or "other small cat species". This development wouldn't be for several more years so it will likely be subject to a lot of change.
If you're interested, I can send you some documents about the zoo's renovation plans.
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Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
May I have a peek at the plans, too?
I would like to see them as well, if you wouldn’t mind