Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo News 2022

Scruffy went to Honolulu.

Went to CMZ today (minus Wolf Wilderness and PCA) and noticed the following-

Kea is back in the sulphur-crested cockatoo/kookaburra aviary in Australian Adventure. This might be a seasonal change.
The education animal housing in former Tucker Court is complete (Nature's Innovation Station) with the following species: barred owl, Eurasian eagle owl, North American porcupine and red-tailed hawk
Burmese Python on exhibit in RainForest
Did not see the tree kangaroo in GumLeaf Hideout
I was surprised at all that was out at Australian Adventure. The budgerigar aviary was closed, but the red and gray kangaroos, wallabies, wallaroos and dingoes (along with goats and alpacas in the contact yard, even though it was closed...) were all out.
 
Just left CMZ. Here's what's changed:
  • Waterfront exhibit in Wolf Wilderness was closed as they were moving stuff for Winter Wild Lights.
  • Original rhino deck is closed for repairs
  • A volunteer told me that the Red Panda in African Savannah is the elderly one from PCA and he's basically in retirement/end of life care there. They also said the old Leopard exhibit will be a temporary exhibit for any animal that needs it until something can be moved in permanently.
  • Bear Hollow has begun marking out the outlines of the new viewing areas and more rockwork has been added to the bear building. The employee I was talking to said it's possible Bears open in April but that was just a rumor.
  • Sloth and Black Bears were off exhibit, Grizzlies were out in the left yard
  • Koalas off exhibit
Overall it was a very enjoyable trip to Cleveland. If you want my advice, go when it's cloudier on a weekday during school. Practically nobody there except employees.
 
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Today a zoo worker told me while discussing Bears and Primates, that lions had come up in conversation for a makeover. I know they had plans in the past but has anyone heard anything recent about replacing the lion yard?

Personally I don't think lions are the worst exhibit in the zoo, I do think it could use some upgrades.
 

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CMZman said:
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Today a zoo worker told me while discussing Bears and Primates, that lions had come up in conversation for a makeover. I know they had plans in the past but has anyone heard anything recent about replacing the lion yard?
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I hope a new lion exhibit is something the zoo has in the works. On my visit, there were really only four exhibits that I'd consider sub-standard:
1. (soon-to-be-former) Gorilla exhibit
2. Pinniped exhibit
3. Lion exhibit
4. Remaining bear grottoes

Really, it's quite remarkable what the zoo has done, with so many of the zoo's worst exhibits being revamped or replaced, and completing a number of significant upgrades even within the past decade (Asian Highlands, Tiger Passage, African Elephant Crossing).
 
Neil chace said:
I hope a new lion exhibit is something the zoo has in the works. On my visit, there were really only four exhibits that I'd consider sub-standard:
1. (soon-to-be-former) Gorilla exhibit
2. Pinniped exhibit
3. Lion exhibit
4. Remaining bear grottoes

Really, it's quite remarkable what the zoo has done, with so many of the zoo's worst exhibits being revamped or replaced, and completing a number of significant upgrades even within the past decade (Asian Highlands, Tiger Passage, African Elephant Crossing).
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Cleveland's true worst exhibit was removed with Monkey Island in 2019. The seal exhibit is practically empty now awadays (Only 2 Sea Lions and 1 Seal) so my theory is they're just waiting for it to empty out (I would have to find it but I believe someone on here said Cleveland's pinnipeds are older) then demolish it. As for the remaining bear grottos I would argue they're not awful like the ones that were recently removed.
 
I made a late November visit to the CMZ - my first in a while. Some thoughts:
  • Apparently, the zoo docents are participating in observation studies - they watch one individual animal and record its behavior several times a minute. What a great way to engage docents and use their time to collect evidence and assist the zoo in its animal husbandry.
  • A docent at AEC told me all five pachyderms are surprisingly free of arthritis and are extremely healthy overall for their age. Big kudos to the zoo's keepers for providing such high-quality care.
  • Kayembe is cute. That's all I have to say about that.
  • It's clear (to me) the A of PC&A is dying a slow death. Most of the tanks were surprisingly sparse. There doesn't seem to be much effort to improve - or even repair - the signage. It's the same dark corridor it has been since before I was born.
  • I'm a bit baffled by the potential future of "the top of the hill." PC&A was included in the last iteration of the master plan I saw, but with aquatics drying up and the gorillas (and whatever else) destined to head down the hill to the Rainforest, are cheetahs enough of a draw to bring people up the hill? The last time I was in the know, I was told the goal was to eliminate PC&A and everything on the hill if only to save money on gas for the trams (apparently an enormous expense.) But keeping cheetahs up there contradicts that. Probably a question nobody has an answer to, and too early to say - just curiosity on my part.
  • I hope the new primate expansion to the Rainforest means some iconic exhibits will be upgraded. The entrance loses its grandeur and immersion without the waterfall (maybe it's not off all the time, but it was when I went), and I'd love a 21st Century revamp of the first-floor rainstorm.
  • Bison fit in well at Northern Trek.
  • I appreciate the construction and intent behind the Maltz Rhino Reserve - still not a fan aesthetically.
  • The Bear Hollow project is much more intense than I anticipated - it'll really be something once it's finished. And the old grottos slowly fall into history . . .
  • Australian Adventure . . . is a thing that exists.
  • One CMZ area (other than ^^^) that hasn't factored into "the future" I've seen is the African Savannah. Other than giraffes (of which there are sadly only four,) that area is the same as it's been for decades. I'm still hoping for one large multispecies habitat for all its denizens and alterations to the terrain and landscaping for a new view and experience. Fingers crossed.
Overall, it was a pleasant visit. Quieter and less populated (people and animals) than I remember, to the point I was a bit concerned - then again, it was November.
 
Tiramtortlephant said:
  • It's clear (to me) the A of PC&A is dying a slow death. Most of the tanks were surprisingly sparse. There doesn't seem to be much effort to improve - or even repair - the signage. It's the same dark corridor it has been since before I was born.
  • I'm a bit baffled by the potential future of "the top of the hill." PC&A was included in the last iteration of the master plan I saw, but with aquatics drying up and the gorillas (and whatever else) destined to head down the hill to the Rainforest, are cheetahs enough of a draw to bring people up the hill? The last time I was in the know, I was told the goal was to eliminate PC&A and everything on the hill if only to save money on gas for the trams (apparently an enormous expense.) But keeping cheetahs up there contradicts that. Probably a question nobody has an answer to, and too early to say - just curiosity on my part.
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I sure hope that they don't get rid of PCA. From my recent visit, I felt that other than the gorillas it was a really good exhibit. Since most of the Primates now have access to multiple habitats, the zoo has managed to do a good job of re-utilizing historic exhibits for a smaller collection, and providing visitors a close-up experience with various primates, fossa, and cheetahs. Not the most naturalistic exhibits but they're designed well for the respective species, and have a lot of great enrichment/climbing opportunities. Are the gorillas the only thing leaving for the new Primate Forest? If so, it'd be an even worst shame to close the building as the zoo would be losing most of its incredible primate collection.
 
I think The Rainforest needs a bit of love. Im not saying its a bad exhibit in the slightest, just that it was really looking 30 yesterday. The waterfall in the lobby was barely trickling yesterday [I could be wrong but it seems like it's been turned down lately] The exhibit on the right in the aviary (Sloth and Agouti) seems very empty. Correct me if I'm wrong but I remember there being more animals in there that just the two. Fog on the rainy island exhibit wasn't working. Also the little deforestation diorama didn't play when I hit the button

Again, not saying Rainforest was in shambles or anything, just needed some touch ups.
 
Neil chace said:
I sure hope that they don't get rid of PCA. From my recent visit, I felt that other than the gorillas it was a really good exhibit. Since most of the Primates now have access to multiple habitats, the zoo has managed to do a good job of re-utilizing historic exhibits for a smaller collection, and providing visitors a close-up experience with various primates, fossa, and cheetahs. Not the most naturalistic exhibits but they're designed well for the respective species, and have a lot of great enrichment/climbing opportunities. Are the gorillas the only thing leaving for the new Primate Forest? If so, it'd be an even worst shame to close the building as the zoo would be losing most of its incredible primate collection.
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I think Gorillas are the only thing going out. The docent I talked to yesterday (BTW, if the zoo is empty the docents are very pleasant to talk with) said that it's currently up in the air what moves into their old exhibit
 
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If Cleveland does anything with the Lions then I think they should take the Bear Hollow approach: Fill in the moat and expand the exhibit out. There's a decent sized chunk of grassland (not part of the safari) that could be used and the people at the food court could get right up close with the lions
 

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CMZman said:
I think Gorillas are the only thing going out. The docent I talked to yesterday (BTW, if the zoo is empty the docents are very pleasant to talk with) said that it's currently up in the air what moves into their old exhibit
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From looking at the announcement video, I looks like the Colobus Monkey will also be moved.
 
Baryonyx said:
From looking at the announcement video, I looks like the Colobus Monkey will also be moved.
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How many Colobus do Cleveland still have, if any? The last few times I've been to the zoo I haven't seen them. Their signs are at PCA but the Monkeys themselves have been no shows
 
CMZman said:
How many Colobus do Cleveland still have, if any? The last few times I've been to the zoo I haven't seen them. Their signs are at PCA but the Monkeys themselves have been no shows
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I saw at least two or three on my visit, they were visible through the small windows when walking past the outdoor exhibits.
 
Does Cleveland have plans for getting new elephants once our elephants get up there in age and start moving on? Our youngest females are 40 and I doubt Willy would be able to breed at 44. Just a random thought
 
CMZman said:
Does Cleveland have plans for getting new elephants once our elephants get up there in age and start moving on? Our youngest females are 40 and I doubt Willy would be able to breed at 44. Just a random thought
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Elephant Crossing was intended to be a breeding facility. But I don't believe that zoos can plan years ahead for the eventual need for animals. It usually gets arranged when there is space and need. As the "Second Century of Stewardship" plan includes the expansion of Elephant Crossing with the inclusion of a night yard you might conclude that the zoo is thinking of elephants long term
 
Zooplantman said:
Referring again to the "Second Century of Stewardship" plan, there is indication of expanded cheetah yard. So PCA has some sort of future.
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That's when it becomes what goes into the building to draw people once Gorillas move out. I wonder if once Gorillas are out the plans for the area would change to move more of the primates out.
 
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