Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo News 2023

TinoPup said:
According to the website, Congo Gorilla Forest is closed until March 1st. It is normally open in winter.
Click to expand...
Do you think winter is the reason for the closure or could the zoo be doing some sort of maintenance on the exhibit? Even if it isn't anything that changes the visitor experience, I wouldn't be surprised due to the age of the exhibit if it's in need of some repairs.
 
Neil chace said:
Do you think winter is the reason for the closure or could the zoo be doing some sort of maintenance on the exhibit? Even if it isn't anything that changes the visitor experience, I wouldn't be surprised due to the age of the exhibit if it's in need of some repairs.
Click to expand...

I think it's just maintenance work.
 
Visited the zoo for the first time in 2023 today. A few changes noted:

-Philippine Sailfin Lizards have been added to the Maleo aviary in World of Birds. While this makes for a unique site, I do wonder about any potential threat they may pose to some of the smaller flighted birds. Most small passerines have been removed, however the magpie-robin remains.
-A few Pink-Headed Fruit-Doves have been moved into the Maleo aviary as well. A pair of adult Many-Colored Fruit-Doves have replaced them on-exhibit with the Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha.
-The zoo has brought in some Chinese Stripe-Necked Turtles which have gone on-exhibit in JungleWorld with the Weber's Sailfin Lizard and Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtles.
-A Lesser Adjutant has been added to the JungleWorld aviary.
-Lesser Scaup have been added to the SeaBird Aviary
-The zoo has put an unsigned Philippine Pitviper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) on-exhibit in World of Reptiles, which was identified by a keeper for me. As far as I can tell, Bronx is the only zoo in the nation with this species.

~Thylo
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Visited the zoo for the first time in 2023 today. A few changes noted:

-Philippine Sailfin Lizards have been added to the Maleo aviary in World of Birds. While this makes for a unique site, I do wonder about any potential threat they may pose to some of the smaller flighted birds. Most small passerines have been removed, however the magpie-robin remains.
-A few Pink-Headed Fruit-Doves have been moved into the Maleo aviary as well. A pair of adult Many-Colored Fruit-Doves have replaced them on-exhibit with the Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha.
-The zoo has brought in some Chinese Stripe-Necked Turtles which have gone on-exhibit in JungleWorld with the Weber's Sailfin Lizard and Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtles.
-A Lesser Adjutant has been added to the JungleWorld aviary.
-Lesser Scaup have been added to the SeaBird Aviary
-The zoo has put an unsigned Philippine Pitviper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) on-exhibit in World of Reptiles, which was identified by a keeper for me. As far as I can tell, Bronx is the only zoo in the nation with this species.

~Thylo
Click to expand...

Jacksonville also holds Philippine Pit Viper. Is the adjutant easy to spot in JungleWorld?
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Visited the zoo for the first time in 2023 today. A few changes noted:

-Philippine Sailfin Lizards have been added to the Maleo aviary in World of Birds. While this makes for a unique site, I do wonder about any potential threat they may pose to some of the smaller flighted birds. Most small passerines have been removed, however the magpie-robin remains.
-A few Pink-Headed Fruit-Doves have been moved into the Maleo aviary as well. A pair of adult Many-Colored Fruit-Doves have replaced them on-exhibit with the Chestnut-Breasted Malkoha.
-The zoo has brought in some Chinese Stripe-Necked Turtles which have gone on-exhibit in JungleWorld with the Weber's Sailfin Lizard and Roti Island Snake-Necked Turtles.
-A Lesser Adjutant has been added to the JungleWorld aviary.
-Lesser Scaup have been added to the SeaBird Aviary
-The zoo has put an unsigned Philippine Pitviper (Trimeresurus flavomaculatus) on-exhibit in World of Reptiles, which was identified by a keeper for me. As far as I can tell, Bronx is the only zoo in the nation with this species.

~Thylo
Click to expand...

Which tank is the Philippine Pit Viper in?
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Philippine Sailfin Lizards have been added to the Maleo aviary in World of Birds. While this makes for a unique site, I do wonder about any potential threat they may pose to some of the smaller flighted birds. Most small passerines have been removed, however the magpie-robin remains.
Click to expand...
What species were removed?
 
ThylacineAlive said:
Sunda Parrotfinch, Black-Naped Fruit-Dove, and Bali Myna all appear to be gone from the enclosure now. I didn't see sign of the Oriental Pied Hornbill either.
Click to expand...
Are these species found elsewhere in the zoo? I am mostly curious about the hornbill and the parrotfinch. Oriental pied hornbills are definitely uncommon, but I am less sure about Sunda parrotfinches.
 
I genuinely hope this doesn't pass as it's nothing short of a spiteful middle finger to the Bronx Zoo.
 
SharkFinatic said:
A Brooklyn City Councilmember is introducing a bill to force the Bronx Zoo to “free the elephants.”
https://www.thecity.nyc/2023/3/16/2...ahana-hanif-nonhuman-rights-project?_amp=true
Click to expand...

"The bill would prohibit any riding on elephants, or forcing them to work or perform, and would separate male and female elephants into separate herds while banning any breeding. It would also require that elephants have access to physical and emotional stimuli..."

So really by definition the Bronx Zoo's elephants would be unaffected by this bill, which is totally pointless. Of course, I would assume it will be the Councilmembers introducing the bill or some local animal rights group that gets to decide what the definition of 'physical and emotional stimuli' is, which will undoubtedly be entirely unscientific and bent around proper definitions solely for the intent of forcing the zoo to go out of the elephants. Considering the article defines Happy as a performing elephant, I imagine they've laid the groundwork to have her removed under that pretense as well.

I find the brief line stating the forced separation of males and females to be painfully ironic, it doesn't really fall in line with the Councilmember's quote in the following sentence, that the bill "will ensure the complex social-emotional needs of elephants are met...".

EDIT: I initially missed the sentence stating that the Councilmember crafted this bill with the Nonhuman Rights Project, the same organization that failed to sue the zoo multiple times over this issue. Nice to see the lobbying on full display.

~Thylo
 
Last edited:
ThylacineAlive said:
"The bill would prohibit any riding on elephants, or forcing them to work or perform, and would separate male and female elephants into separate herds while banning any breeding. It would also require that elephants have access to physical and emotional stimuli..."

So really by definition the Bronx Zoo's elephants would be unaffected by this bill, which is totally pointless. Of course, I would assume it will be the Councilmembers introducing the bill or some local animal rights group that gets to decide what the definition of 'physical and emotional stimuli' is, which will undoubtedly be entirely unscientific and bent around proper definitions solely for the intent of forcing the zoo to go out of the elephants. Considering the article defines Happy as a performing elephant, I imagine they've laid the groundwork to have her removed under that pretense as well.

I find the brief line stating the forced separation of males and females to be painfully ironic, it doesn't really fall in line with the Councilmember's quote in the following sentence, that the bill "will ensure the complex social-emotional needs of elephants are met...".

EDIT: I initially missed the sentence stating that the Councilmember crafted this bill with the Nonhuman Rights Project, the same organization that failed to sue the zoo multiple times over this issue. Nice to see the lobbying on full display.

~Thylo
Click to expand...
It would affect the Bronx Zoo by requiring them to expand their elephant exhibit. From the same article you quoted:
The bill would require elephants here to have a habitat of at least 15 acres, compared to the acre each that Happy and Patty, both 50-something female Asian Elephants,
Click to expand...
 
Neil chace said:
It would affect the Bronx Zoo by requiring them to expand their elephant exhibit. From the same article you quoted:
Click to expand...
I'd personally rather they expand the elephant habitat, only issue is figuring out a way to do so that doesn't cannibalize the zoo's net collection. The 15 acres stipulation reads exactly like the legislation that coincided with San Francisco phasing out elephants and not bothering to get any more. That's all I'd say on the matter on this topic that cuts off any unnecessary speculation, as I did come up with a good idea for how Bronx could *in some astronomically-chanced, nebulous fantasy* go all in on elephants in the unique WCS style I know and cherish.

Past that, I do believe that deep down, all parties involved in this story have a reason to believe they have the elephants' best interests at heart, even if some of the guidelines and stipulations seem rather arbitrary. I'd love to see some sort of collaboration/solution to this story so there's no more headaches. Short term, sponsor toys/a rigorous enrichment program for Patty and Happy. Long term, work towards building the best bachelor or multigenerational elephant facility on the East Coast.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top