Rhinos, Hippos, Elephants, and Giraffes in the top 80 US Zoos.
- Thread starter RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
- Start date
Birmingham is transitioning to Black Rhinos. Before 2020 when they had Whites they potentially (though I don't think they ever did) could exhibit all four together.
Why doesn't Adventure Aquarium count?
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
Adventure Aquarium doesn't count, because it isn't really a zoo.
Now there's an arguable statement if I ever heard one. An aquarium is still a zoo, just a different layout. Unless you're DWA and try to be both. Either way I'll argue an aquarium is just as much a zoo.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
I Haven't posted in this thread in almost two months. I am making lists on which zoos are likely to get/regain the status of having all four of the four largest mammals, as well as the zoos that are likely to lose the status of having all four, AND unlikely to replace one or more of them. Note: These are my personal opinions, but they are all pretty realistic probabilities.
Zoos I can see getting the status all four large mammals within 10 years that currently don't have the status now and the odds of that happening are:
- San Diego Zoo (rhinos) I think it is obvious that the San Diego Zoo will get a new rhino soon. They might get a Black or White Rhino, since the Indian Rhino is no longer on the map.
- Houston (Nile Hippos) [Most likely by 2032] Go to page 32 on the PDF, and you'll see a photo of a Nile Hippo, which means that they will have both hippo species if the plan goes through.
Houston Zoo Strategic Plan, The Houston Zoo
- Fresno Chaffee (Nile Hippos) [Will likely open around 2026-2027]
Expansions Coming to Fresno Chaffee Zoo - I Love Fresno
- Milwaukee (rhinos) [Slated to open in 2024.] Here is the zoo backgrounder. Scroll down close to the bottom of the page to find it.
www.milwaukeezoo.org/media/backgrounded.php
- Los Angeles (rhinos and Nile Hippos) [Supposed to open by 2020] Here is the zoo's master plan: You'll need to click on the PDF and go to page 160.
Los Angeles Zoo Vision Plan Environmental Impact Report - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo)
Zoos that are currently in danger of losing their current status of having all of the four largest land mammals:
- Sedgwick County appears that Nile Hippos are getting booted, according to the Sedgwick County Zoo's master plan listed below, unless they are located in the Savanna area. The reason being is that I see Pygmy Hippos next to the baboons. The zoo currently has two geriatric hippos who are 51 and 50 years old, and when both die, then they will likely close the hippo exhibit to focus on rhinos or giraffes.
Sedgwick County Zoo | Master Plan
- I can see the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo phasing out rhinos when their current rhino dies, so they can expand the elephant habitat even bigger.
Zoos I can see getting the status all four large mammals within 10 years that currently don't have the status now and the odds of that happening are:
- San Diego Zoo (rhinos) I think it is obvious that the San Diego Zoo will get a new rhino soon. They might get a Black or White Rhino, since the Indian Rhino is no longer on the map.
- Houston (Nile Hippos) [Most likely by 2032] Go to page 32 on the PDF, and you'll see a photo of a Nile Hippo, which means that they will have both hippo species if the plan goes through.
Houston Zoo Strategic Plan, The Houston Zoo
- Fresno Chaffee (Nile Hippos) [Will likely open around 2026-2027]
Expansions Coming to Fresno Chaffee Zoo - I Love Fresno
- Milwaukee (rhinos) [Slated to open in 2024.] Here is the zoo backgrounder. Scroll down close to the bottom of the page to find it.
www.milwaukeezoo.org/media/backgrounded.php
- Los Angeles (rhinos and Nile Hippos) [Supposed to open by 2020] Here is the zoo's master plan: You'll need to click on the PDF and go to page 160.
Los Angeles Zoo Vision Plan Environmental Impact Report - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo)
Zoos that are currently in danger of losing their current status of having all of the four largest land mammals:
- Sedgwick County appears that Nile Hippos are getting booted, according to the Sedgwick County Zoo's master plan listed below, unless they are located in the Savanna area. The reason being is that I see Pygmy Hippos next to the baboons. The zoo currently has two geriatric hippos who are 51 and 50 years old, and when both die, then they will likely close the hippo exhibit to focus on rhinos or giraffes.
Sedgwick County Zoo | Master Plan
- I can see the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo phasing out rhinos when their current rhino dies, so they can expand the elephant habitat even bigger.
San Diego uses the rhino space to hold surplus male Indian Rhinos, as has been stated multiple times on this site. An African rhino is unlikely.
If you read the text on the side, it says "Possible exhibits may include ... wetland exhibits for hippos and Shoebill, ..." So there is no actual guarantee River Hippos will actually be included - especially as they sent off their Shoebills not too long ago.
The link you give does not show the upper savanna area however - from the poor bits I can find I wouldn't count out river hippos just yet.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
I can see the Sedgwick County Zoo having Pygmy Hippos in the current River Hippo exhibit once their current hippos die. I can also see the savanna having giraffes and some other African animals in an enclosure on one side, and having the other side exclusive to hippos.
Only after some major renovations I'd hope, as this appears to still be their hippo exhibit.
Photo credit to @snowleopard
That reminds me of Milwaukee County Zoo's old hippo exhibitOnly after some major renovations I'd hope, as this appears to still be their hippo exhibit.
Photo credit to @snowleopard
2024 is my guess unless the time line changed
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
This thread really should be moved to "Speculative Zoo Design"' so much prognostication with so little evidence.
You should eliminate the word "likely" from all future posts
That article is from 5 years ago. Since then the project has been put on hold and a new Master Plan is in the works. There can be no realistic projections of what will happen with hippos at Fresno.
You should eliminate the word "likely" from all future posts
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
Potter Park is not a top 80 US zoo, so that is why I didn't include it.
Sphenisciologist
Well-Known Member
oops, forgot about that