Orange County Zoo Orange County Zoo news

DavidBrown said:
Do they still have a beaver exhibit? That was one of the highlights when I visited this zoo several years ago. At that time their star exhibit was Samson the hot-tubbing bear, a black bear who was roaming around back yards in Orange County and using hot tubs before he was captured and sent to the zoo.
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They do indeed! It was wonderful to see a beaver as I’ve never seen one in person, it was quite active and I really liked the way it’s habitat was designed. Perhaps I’m wrong but I think I counted 2 black bears in the bear habitat, both taking siestas :D
 
Arizona Docent said:
The zoo will be the temporary home of two orphaned mountain lions. These are the two surviving cubs of a litter of four that were found abandoned in Thousand Oaks. There is no indication of whether or not they will be on public display.

4 Mountain Lion Kittens Found At Thousand Oaks Office Building | Agoura Hills, CA Patch

Two mountain lion kittens survive after four are found outside Thousand Oaks office building (usclocknews.com)
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A naming competition is being held for the two Puma cubs:

Options:
  • Nala and Sarabi
  • Sierra and Sequoia
  • Sage and Poppy
  • Estrella and Luna
  • Lucy and Ethel
Orange County Zoo Holding Naming Contest For Mountain Lion Cubs
 
Smaggledagle said:
On February 27th, 2023, it was announced the zoo acquired a (0.1) Canada lynx named Louise and a (0.0.1) ocelot named Ixchel from the now-defunct Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in California.

http://www.wildcatzoo.org/efbc_newhomes.png
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They acquired 2 Brazilian ocelots, a female named Ixchel who was born at the Los Angeles Zoo on 3/13/18 and a male named Tiago who was born at the El Paso Zoo on 3/2/19.
 
The exhibit next to the old mountain lion exhibit (where Santiago the older male lives) is now occupied by bobcats. There are supposed to be 2 of them in there per what an employee told me. I didn't see any out during my visit yesterday.
 
Adventuredl said:
The exhibit next to the old mountain lion exhibit now houses 0.1 Canadian Lynx.
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This should be Louise who moved there after the Exotic Feline Breeding Compound closed in February 2023. I'm happy to hear they've put her on exhibit.
 
Made a visit to see Mickey the Jaguar yesterday and only noticed a couple things

  • The Large Mammal Exhibit has blossomed very well over the last 2 years. More foliage and enrichment items in each habitat. Mountain lions reside in the first two habitats and the jaguars in the back ones. Originally was told during my first visit it was intended to rotate all of the cats in the exhibit complex but seems to have stuck as they are now. Keeper talks at 12 and 3, for the Mountain Lions and Jaguars respectively.
  • The habitat near the Red Tailed Hawks that held a Canadian Lynx was empty. No obvious signage for any animal in the habitat either.
  • The Ringtail as active for the first time during all my visits and was curious as to the zoo guests who would stop by.
 
DavidBrown said:
Does the Orange County Zoo still have a beaver exhibit? On my one visit there back in the late 1990s that was a unique exhibit that they had which no other zoo in Southern California had.
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Indeed it is! I didn’t see a beaver but it looked like it was occupied. I think it will be part of the renovation they plan according to their older master plan.
 
Some sad updates from my visit yesterday:

  • One of the young female mountain lions passed away from very aggressive cancer.
  • The bald eagle passed away. That exhibit is now occupied by a turkey vulture.
  • Yo Yo, the older of the 2 black bears, passed away.
The beaver was visible during my visit.

Louise the Canada lynx was also visible, at times perched in one of the trees in her exhibit.

Ziggy the melanistic jaguar had access for at least part of the day to the 2 exhibits on the right side.
 
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