Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter ThylacineAlive
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Ebony and Javan Langur are the same species and the zoo has 0.2 left
I remember there being a large group of monkeys in the Jungleworld habitat across from the tapirs. Or are those silvery lutung? If so, then oops
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Yup, those are silvery lutungs.
Visited the zoo yesterday and can report a number of changes, though I didn't see the entirely facility so may have missed some stuff.
Bad news first:
-The zoo's Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill female is no longer encased in her nestbox, meaning either breeding was unsuccessful or they've pulled the egg to incubate off-show. I did recently find out the zoo's pair did successfully breed in 2018, however, so they are a proven pair.
-Only one Black-Faced Ibis was visible and the female was no longer sitting on a nest.
-I initially noticed this some time ago but given how secretive the species can be at times I don't think I ever reported it, but it appears the zoo's Buff-Crested Bustards are moved off-exhibit. There are precious few females left in the population, so I imagine they've moved off for breeding purposes.
-The zoo's Keel-Billed Toucan appears to have moved off-exhibit.
-The Yellow-Crested Cockatoo has moved off-exhibit, but is still visible in the far side aviary in the Pheasantry that you can just barely see from the public path.
Better news:
-The zoo's Bactrian Deer herd is both maturing and growing nicely. The males are huge! There are also at least a couple fawns on-exhibit.
-The Przewalski's Wild Horse herd also has a new foal.
-At least one Formosan Sika Deer is still alive and was on-exhibit, the first time I've seen the species or even heard them mentioned by the driver in two years.
-The former Bornean Eared Frog and paradise fish habitat in JungleWorld is being redone for Chinese Big-Headed Turtle.
-The zoo's maturing dwarf crocodile has finally been moved from that smaller terrarium opposite the Gray's Monitors to the former Cuban Crocodile pool. A new, smaller dwarf crocodile has taken its place.. I wish they would replace them with a more appropriate-sized species for that space, like a small turtle, semi-aquatic snake, or larger frog species.
-The zoo's mantellas are finally visible on-disply, both the Green and Brown.
-The zoo's Chilean Flamingos, and Brown and Peruvian Pelicans have all gone back on-show. No sign of the Lesser Adjutant Storks. I did not visit any of the crane enclosures or Northern Ponds to see if those birds have been returned as well.
-In the ABH, the first habitat on the left that previously contained African Pygmy-Goose, Black Crake, and Superb Starling has been converted to a habitat for Guam Kingfisher and Guam Rail.
-Himalayan Monal have moved into the former Kea habitat in World of Birds.
-There's a Crested Wood-Partridge chick in the World of Birds nursery. More excitingly, there is a Many-Colored Fruit-Dove chick visible towards the back of the room as well.
-Three new bird taxa have joined the zoo's collection: Blue Eared-Pheasant, Berlioz's Silver Pheasant (ssp. berliozi), and Sulawesi Ground-Dove. The former two are on-show in the Pheasantry and the latter is mixed with the Maleo in World of Birds. The zoo has also brought in an additional pair of Lesser Bornean Crested Fireback. The zoo already had a single female mixed with the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise which was a new arrival from within the last year. Now they've added an additional pair to the collection which is visible in the Pheasantry.
One additional thing, the zoo has added a sign for Red Junglefowl to the Sulawesi Knobbed Hornbill aviary. I didn't see any fowls in there, but I asked someone and the zoo doesn't have Red Junglefowl, just Green and Sri Lankan still. Not really sure what's going on there.
~Thylo
Bad news first:
-The zoo's Sulawesi Dwarf Hornbill female is no longer encased in her nestbox, meaning either breeding was unsuccessful or they've pulled the egg to incubate off-show. I did recently find out the zoo's pair did successfully breed in 2018, however, so they are a proven pair.
-Only one Black-Faced Ibis was visible and the female was no longer sitting on a nest.
-I initially noticed this some time ago but given how secretive the species can be at times I don't think I ever reported it, but it appears the zoo's Buff-Crested Bustards are moved off-exhibit. There are precious few females left in the population, so I imagine they've moved off for breeding purposes.
-The zoo's Keel-Billed Toucan appears to have moved off-exhibit.
-The Yellow-Crested Cockatoo has moved off-exhibit, but is still visible in the far side aviary in the Pheasantry that you can just barely see from the public path.
Better news:
-The zoo's Bactrian Deer herd is both maturing and growing nicely. The males are huge! There are also at least a couple fawns on-exhibit.
-The Przewalski's Wild Horse herd also has a new foal.
-At least one Formosan Sika Deer is still alive and was on-exhibit, the first time I've seen the species or even heard them mentioned by the driver in two years.
-The former Bornean Eared Frog and paradise fish habitat in JungleWorld is being redone for Chinese Big-Headed Turtle.
-The zoo's maturing dwarf crocodile has finally been moved from that smaller terrarium opposite the Gray's Monitors to the former Cuban Crocodile pool. A new, smaller dwarf crocodile has taken its place.. I wish they would replace them with a more appropriate-sized species for that space, like a small turtle, semi-aquatic snake, or larger frog species.
-The zoo's mantellas are finally visible on-disply, both the Green and Brown.
-The zoo's Chilean Flamingos, and Brown and Peruvian Pelicans have all gone back on-show. No sign of the Lesser Adjutant Storks. I did not visit any of the crane enclosures or Northern Ponds to see if those birds have been returned as well.
-In the ABH, the first habitat on the left that previously contained African Pygmy-Goose, Black Crake, and Superb Starling has been converted to a habitat for Guam Kingfisher and Guam Rail.
-Himalayan Monal have moved into the former Kea habitat in World of Birds.
-There's a Crested Wood-Partridge chick in the World of Birds nursery. More excitingly, there is a Many-Colored Fruit-Dove chick visible towards the back of the room as well.
-Three new bird taxa have joined the zoo's collection: Blue Eared-Pheasant, Berlioz's Silver Pheasant (ssp. berliozi), and Sulawesi Ground-Dove. The former two are on-show in the Pheasantry and the latter is mixed with the Maleo in World of Birds. The zoo has also brought in an additional pair of Lesser Bornean Crested Fireback. The zoo already had a single female mixed with the Lesser Bird-of-Paradise which was a new arrival from within the last year. Now they've added an additional pair to the collection which is visible in the Pheasantry.
One additional thing, the zoo has added a sign for Red Junglefowl to the Sulawesi Knobbed Hornbill aviary. I didn't see any fowls in there, but I asked someone and the zoo doesn't have Red Junglefowl, just Green and Sri Lankan still. Not really sure what's going on there.
~Thylo
Missed one other thing!
There capercaillie habitat was netted off due to the introduction of a couple ducks. I know Smew has historically been in that space so I snapped a pic through the net and moved on without thinking much of it. Was thinking back earlier and realized those ducks looked nothing like female/immature Smew so I checked my photos and turns out they're a couple of female/immature Harlequin Duck!
So another new species for the zoo.
~Thylo
I will be touring this Zoo later this week, and am absolutely stoked! 
Before that though, I have a few questions regarding some of the animals on display and advice for visiting:
- What is the best gate to enter in to allow for an easy flow with little/no backtracking?
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look? Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but do the Coquerel’s sifakas rotate with another species?
- When is the best time of day for the Wild Asia Monorail for both active and/or decently visible animals and not much of a wait in line?
- Are there still some areas closed off/limited access due to AI or Covid (like mask requirements)?
- Where is the best place in the Zoo to eat?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
Before that though, I have a few questions regarding some of the animals on display and advice for visiting:- What is the best gate to enter in to allow for an easy flow with little/no backtracking?
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look? Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but do the Coquerel’s sifakas rotate with another species?
- When is the best time of day for the Wild Asia Monorail for both active and/or decently visible animals and not much of a wait in line?
- Are there still some areas closed off/limited access due to AI or Covid (like mask requirements)?
- Where is the best place in the Zoo to eat?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
I can only answer to the vontsira question: they shouldn't be diffucult to see, when I saw them in Berlin they were quite active and loved to see what was going on outside their enclousure, so you should be able to see them quite easily if they're not asleep
SusScrofa
Well-Known Member
I will be touring this Zoo later this week, and am absolutely stoked!
- What is the best gate to enter in to allow for an easy flow with little/no backtracking?
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look? Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but do the Coquerel’s sifakas rotate with another species?
- When is the best time of day for the Wild Asia Monorail for both active and/or decently visible animals and not much of a wait in line?
- Are there still some areas closed off/limited access due to AI or Covid (like mask requirements)?
- Where is the best place in the Zoo to eat?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
1. Pretty circular zoo, so no real difference I'd say. For what its worth, I enter through Bronx River gate when driving and Asia gate when taking subway.
2. Never seen it, tbh.
3. I've had trouble seeing it in the past, but when I visited last times they were out and about and easy to spot. I saw them in the earlier part of the day if that helps. The sifakas do not rotate.
4. Its pretty random as to what will appear, though I think ealier in the day is better just because it won't be as hot. Lines move quickly so I don't think it will be an issue, though I don't go during weekends or Wednesday...
5. Everything is open. One tip, there are capuchin monkeys on the side of the old monkey house (near Madagascar and sea lion fountain). People often miss them.
6. Dancing Crane Cafe serve typical generic zoo stuff. There is also this smaller shop called Pecking Order that is better but I think more expensive.
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
A few notes from my visit in April.
1. I saw the kiwi, so they should probably still be there. It was near the back of the exhibit, so I'd recommend trying to look there.
2. The mongooses were extremely active during my visit. If you don't see them at first I'd recommend waiting as they chased each other around and would pop up in sight every minute or so. Eventually they will probably be in front of the glass
I will be touring this Zoo later this week, and am absolutely stoked!
- What is the best gate to enter in to allow for an easy flow with little/no backtracking?
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look? Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but do the Coquerel’s sifakas rotate with another species?
- When is the best time of day for the Wild Asia Monorail for both active and/or decently visible animals and not much of a wait in line?
- Are there still some areas closed off/limited access due to AI or Covid (like mask requirements)?
- Where is the best place in the Zoo to eat?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
You can construct a tour with minimal backtracking from any of the gates.
I've seen the kiwi on less than half of my visits--they keep the cage very dark, so unless it's moving, you may be out of luck trying to spot it.
See above responses re: the mongoose/vontsira.
Wild Asia lines build fast. I always try to go first thing in the morning. Since I enter from the Asia gate, it's easy to do. As for sighting the animals, can't really say.
Nothing closed at least on my last visit.
Dancing Crane has the most options. The small stand where Wild Asia meets Africa (next to the zoo shuttle stop), if it's open, has some beverages you can't get anywhere else, i.e., beer: Dining - Bronx Zoo
I will be touring this Zoo later this week, and am absolutely stoked!
- What is the best gate to enter in to allow for an easy flow with little/no backtracking?
- In the Aquatic Bird House, how easy is it to see the kiwi, and what are the best places to look for it (if there’s still at least one there)?
- Madagascar: I’ve never seen ring-tailed mongoose before - how easy is it to see it/them, and what are the best places to look? Also, correct me if I’m wrong, but do the Coquerel’s sifakas rotate with another species?
- When is the best time of day for the Wild Asia Monorail for both active and/or decently visible animals and not much of a wait in line?
- Are there still some areas closed off/limited access due to AI or Covid (like mask requirements)?
- Where is the best place in the Zoo to eat?
There may be a few more questions I think of between now and then, but these are the big ones I can think of. Thanks!
-My preferred gate is the Bronx River Parkway entrance as it allows for easiest access to World of Birds without having to go out of your way.
-I haven't had trouble with the kiwi in a long time, you just need to be patient for a few minutes to let your eyes adjust. The kiwi is usually out and about as long as it isn't too crowded in the room.
-I don't think I've ever had trouble seeing the vontsira. The sifaka used to rotate with Crowned Lemur but the zoo doesn't hold that species anymore.
-Early afternoon I've found to be the best time to view the animals on the monorail. Noon to 3 is what I've heard workers there recommend, though from a lines perspective maybe 11-12 is your best bet.
-The only area that's closed off is where the capuchins are behind the old Monkey House. They used to be visible but not really since COVID. I've only been once in the past couple of years when there wasn't a fence placed in front of the entry to the path behind the building, and even then I think that was a mistake because the other end still had the fence up.
-The zoo's food is pretty standard wherever you go, though if the chicken place by the Dholes or the burger place by the Geladas are open they sometimes have some unique options (as far as US zoos go anyway).
As a note, remember there are a couple aviaries to the side of the sea lion pool at the original bird house and there's the pelican pond behind the Children's Zoo and just past Birds of Prey. These are where you'll be White-Crested Laughingthrush, Black-Faced Ibis, and Peruvian Pelican.
Enjoy your visit!
~Thylo
I've never had trouble seeing the kiwi, there's been one up by the glass on every visit Sometimes it just takes a second to realize the thing you think is a rock is kiwi.
You're going to have to backtrack no matter what you do. I prefer the southern blvd entrance. It's easy to park at and get out of, there's bathrooms and food nearby, and you don't have to backtrack to get to it at the end of the day like with the parking by world of birds. There's also a tram stop right there.
The food at the zoo is particularly expensive, btw. I only got a soda on my last visit and it was $5 for a basic one.
Sometimes it just takes a second to realize the thing you think is a rock is kiwi.You're going to have to backtrack no matter what you do. I prefer the southern blvd entrance. It's easy to park at and get out of, there's bathrooms and food nearby, and you don't have to backtrack to get to it at the end of the day like with the parking by world of birds. There's also a tram stop right there.
The food at the zoo is particularly expensive, btw. I only got a soda on my last visit and it was $5 for a basic one.
Thank you all for the replies and assistance!
It’s nice to know that the three species in question seem to be fairly easy to view. Other than the mongooses (first time), it’s been a while since I’ve seen the others and would be nice to check them out again. As for the tour route, it sounds like transport will depend on which gate I enter, and thus determine the route, where to eat, and when the monorail is taken. My targets for the latter are the elephants, Indian rhinos, and any of the major rarities; I know there’s the guar and a few deer species, but what others can be found in few, if any other, U.S. zoos?
Also, a few more questions I came up with:
- Congo Gorilla Forest: are the mandrill and red river hog still mixed together? And how easily visible are the okapi?
- How easy is it to see the dholes, and what are the best places to look for them?
It’s nice to know that the three species in question seem to be fairly easy to view. Other than the mongooses (first time), it’s been a while since I’ve seen the others and would be nice to check them out again. As for the tour route, it sounds like transport will depend on which gate I enter, and thus determine the route, where to eat, and when the monorail is taken. My targets for the latter are the elephants, Indian rhinos, and any of the major rarities; I know there’s the guar and a few deer species, but what others can be found in few, if any other, U.S. zoos?
Also, a few more questions I came up with:
- Congo Gorilla Forest: are the mandrill and red river hog still mixed together? And how easily visible are the okapi?
- How easy is it to see the dholes, and what are the best places to look for them?
Thank you all for the replies and assistance!
It’s nice to know that the three species in question seem to be fairly easy to view. Other than the mongooses (first time), it’s been a while since I’ve seen the others and would be nice to check them out again. As for the tour route, it sounds like transport will depend on which gate I enter, and thus determine the route, where to eat, and when the monorail is taken. My targets for the latter are the elephants, Indian rhinos, and any of the major rarities; I know there’s the guar and a few deer species, but what others can be found in few, if any other, U.S. zoos?
Also, a few more questions I came up with:
- Congo Gorilla Forest: are the mandrill and red river hog still mixed together? And how easily visible are the okapi?
- How easy is it to see the dholes, and what are the best places to look for them?
Most of the species on the monorail are rare, at least in accredited zoos. The formosan sika deer, gaur, sambar, barasingha, brow-antler deer, Himalayan tahr, hog deer, and bactrian deer can be found in few-if any accredited institutions. Some of those species are more common in the private trade though.
I saw the mandrill and red river hog mixed last year so it definitely still happens. I’m fairly certain I have never missed the okapi, so that one should be fairly safe. The dholes as well have been fairly active, having never missed them in my 4 visits in the last 2 years or so.
Thank you all for the replies and assistance!
It’s nice to know that the three species in question seem to be fairly easy to view. Other than the mongooses (first time), it’s been a while since I’ve seen the others and would be nice to check them out again. As for the tour route, it sounds like transport will depend on which gate I enter, and thus determine the route, where to eat, and when the monorail is taken. My targets for the latter are the elephants, Indian rhinos, and any of the major rarities; I know there’s the guar and a few deer species, but what others can be found in few, if any other, U.S. zoos?
Also, a few more questions I came up with:
- Congo Gorilla Forest: are the mandrill and red river hog still mixed together? And how easily visible are the okapi?
- How easy is it to see the dholes, and what are the best places to look for them?
Nearly everything on the monorail is at least uncommon in zoos, if not rare to non-existent. The elephants, rhino, and tiger and probably the most common species on the monorail. Species like blackbuck, himalayan tahr, and markhor are on the more common side as well, to give you an idea. The deer in particular rotate, so all species might not be visible.
The mandrill and hogs are still mixed, and there's currently several mandrill babies
The okapi can be iffy, only because the sight lines for the exhibit aren't great. There's multiple viewing spots and usually between them you can find the animal.-The dholes are easy, unless they're sleeping behind one of the few trees. There isn't really a best place, their red fur is easy to spot.
Chital is another species that fairly common outside of the AZA but rare within. I haven't seen the North Indian Muntjac or Brow-Antlered Deer on-exhibit in a while, but everything else seems to be out. There are a few locations where when the monorail is turning, you can turn and see the off-show yards. You may spot the Brow-Antlered Deer in there.
The Przewalski's Wild Horse and Bactrian Deer have young at the moment as well.
The Dhole have gone from complete no-shows to be exceptionally easy to see, thankfully. You should be good there.
A couple other tips:
-Pay attention to the zoo's Brown Bears. Two of their animals are of the Sitka ssp., endemic to the ABC Islands, which are rare.
-The zoo keeps White-Breasted Woodswallow unsigned in the second of the two-story Asian forest habitats in World of Birds, they're fairly easy to spot but hang out high up.
-There are some rare birds in the Butterfly Garden walkthrough greenhouse, including a European Quail and Bananaquit.
-The Black-Necked Crane can typically be spotted in an off-show yard behind the adjutant aviary.
-The zoo's Great Horned Owls are an odd subspecies from the Atlantic Northeast.
-If it's still there, the unsigned fruit-dove chick in the World of Birds nursery is a Many-Colored Fruit-Dove.
-Some odd turtles, including Chinese Big-Headed and Yellow-Headed Box Turtle, can be seen through the window of the World of Reptiles nursery.
-Mary River Turtle is unsigned in the Mertens' Water Monitor habitat as well as in the JungleWorld pools mixed with gharial. They're usually in the lower pools right when you enter the final room. Yellow-Headed Temple Turtle, Fly River Turtle, and Spotted Pond Turtle are all in there as well.
~Thylo
The Przewalski's Wild Horse and Bactrian Deer have young at the moment as well.
The Dhole have gone from complete no-shows to be exceptionally easy to see, thankfully. You should be good there.
A couple other tips:
-Pay attention to the zoo's Brown Bears. Two of their animals are of the Sitka ssp., endemic to the ABC Islands, which are rare.
-The zoo keeps White-Breasted Woodswallow unsigned in the second of the two-story Asian forest habitats in World of Birds, they're fairly easy to spot but hang out high up.
-There are some rare birds in the Butterfly Garden walkthrough greenhouse, including a European Quail and Bananaquit.
-The Black-Necked Crane can typically be spotted in an off-show yard behind the adjutant aviary.
-The zoo's Great Horned Owls are an odd subspecies from the Atlantic Northeast.
-If it's still there, the unsigned fruit-dove chick in the World of Birds nursery is a Many-Colored Fruit-Dove.
-Some odd turtles, including Chinese Big-Headed and Yellow-Headed Box Turtle, can be seen through the window of the World of Reptiles nursery.
-Mary River Turtle is unsigned in the Mertens' Water Monitor habitat as well as in the JungleWorld pools mixed with gharial. They're usually in the lower pools right when you enter the final room. Yellow-Headed Temple Turtle, Fly River Turtle, and Spotted Pond Turtle are all in there as well.
~Thylo
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