Roger Williams Park Zoo Roger Williams Park Zoo news 2023

I went to the zoo today, nothing much to report besides what has already been said, though as I was walking through North America, there was a construction vehicle (I think excavator) inside the summer exhibit for the giant tortoises outside the giraffe exhibit.
 
notes from my visit today:

1. The Aldabra giant tortoise enclosure has been demolished and a stack of fencing that the enclosure used was near where it was. I think @Smaggledagle saw the preparation for this.
2. The red panda defecated into his food bowl. One star review, I guess.
3. there are two new branches fastened to some of the primate enclosure beams for the free-roaming tamarins
4. I am now fairly certain that there are two giant wood rails, named Evan and Rachel, who are at the zoo on a breeding recommendation. The worker could have been talking about a different species, but I asked about the rails, so she was probably talking about them.
5. Providence and Cora were together in the public indoor enclosure
6. not really zoo related because it could happen anywhere but there were two rodent like animals crawling around in between the guest path and the eagle enclosure
7. I forgot to mention a few posts ago that the last goldfish in World of Adaptions is no longer there. The fish most likely died, knowing how old it was.
8. no evidence of the former aoudad enclosure remains
9. covers have not been added to the outdoor zebra/wildebeest holding, as was the plan
10. A small new building is being constructed on some of the land that was formerly taken up by the hoofstock enclosure. I heard that this might be a new aviary, but this wasn't confirmed.
11. a travelling animatronic dinosaur exhibit will be at the zoo sometime around October
12. the main path toward the elephants has significantly less trees, with the remaining ones marked for removal
 
wild boar said:
notes from my visit today:

1. The Aldabra giant tortoise enclosure has been demolished and a stack of fencing that the enclosure used was near where it was. I think @Smaggledagle saw the preparation for this.
2. The red panda defecated into his food bowl. One star review, I guess.
3. there are two new branches fastened to some of the primate enclosure beams for the free-roaming tamarins
4. I am now fairly certain that there are two giant wood rails, named Evan and Rachel, who are at the zoo on a breeding recommendation. The worker could have been talking about a different species, but I asked about the rails, so she was probably talking about them.
5. Providence and Cora were together in the public indoor enclosure
6. not really zoo related because it could happen anywhere but there were two rodent like animals crawling around in between the guest path and the eagle enclosure
7. I forgot to mention a few posts ago that the last goldfish in World of Adaptions is no longer there. The fish most likely died, knowing how old it was.
8. no evidence of the former aoudad enclosure remains
9. covers have not been added to the outdoor zebra/wildebeest holding, as was the plan
10. A small new building is being constructed on some of the land that was formerly taken up by the hoofstock enclosure. I heard that this might be a new aviary, but this wasn't confirmed.
11. a travelling animatronic dinosaur exhibit will be at the zoo sometime around October
12. the main path toward the elephants has significantly less trees, with the remaining ones marked for removal
Click to expand...
While I appreciate the news and remarks from visits, please make sure that what you post is relevant to the zoo. I've mentioned this to others before as well, and it's especially an issue with newer members, but a few of these things really didn't need to be posted. Specifically, the red panda defecating in the food bowl and two rodents near the eagles are in no way relevant and should've been omitted to the post. In the future, there's no real need to include irrelevant observations like these in news postings.

If you have any pictures of the zebra and ed center construction, however, I'd love to see them! Crazy to think the aoudad exhibit is gone, I have fond memories of seeing that exhibit back when I was a child. The new ed center is sorely needed though, so I'm not disappointed. It's change, but it's good change.
 
Smaggledagle said:
On February 27th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) serval named Velma from the now-defunct Exotic Feline Breeding Compound in California.

http://www.wildcatzoo.org/efbc_newhomes.png
Click to expand...
That's certainly an interesting acquisition. I'm sure many will appreciate the zoo having an additional cat in the collection, and small cats are a niche the zoo currently doesn't have filled. I'd be interested to see if this serval becomes an exhibit animal, or if the plan is to keep it as an animal ambassador.

In other news, "Dinosaurs Among Us" has officially been announced as coming to the zoo this summer, along with a new bird show. It seems as though it will be a little more engaging/unique than the typical dinosaur animatronic attraction. I know these exhibits aren't typically popular on this site, but kids usually love dinosaurs, so hopefully this exhibit will be a good revenue-booster for the zoo, and bring more people through the gates. RWPZ is also nicely set-up for this kind of display since it has the wetlands trail that isn't the most usable for exhibit space, but can accommodate dinosaurs, jack-o-lanterns, etc. The following quote is from the zoo's website about the upcoming attraction:
Dinosaurs are roaring to life at Roger Williams Park Zoo! Adventure awaits at the Zoo’s newest special attraction, Dinosaurs Among Us, running April 7th through August 13th. This immersive walk-through will take you back in time to a world of prehistoric wonder. Come face-to-face with nearly 60 life-size animatronic and interactive dinosaurs, during this one of a kind experience.

The prehistoric adventure continues with walking dinosaur rides, dinosaur-themed selfie stations, meet and greets with baby dinosaurs, and hands-on fossil dig stations. Run, don’t walk! Plan your visit today.

After your visit make sure to visit the modern dinosaur descendants here at the Zoo—birds! Enjoy interactive bird shows, happening daily (weather permitting) and make wild discoveries as you get an up-close look at falcons, macaws, owls, and more.
Click to expand...
Source: Dinosaurs Among Us - Roger Williams Park Zoo
 
I hope the dinosaurs don't overtake the wetlands trail. My family enjoys that part of the zoo. It's peaceful, natural, and we enjoy seeing the giant turtles in the pond. I'm always disappointed when it's closed during the day for the Halloween event, and if the dinosaurs are there, it'll be closed to non ticket-holders from spring through fall. For Halloween, the closed trail even means the bison and muntjac are not visible. I understand it brings in money and visitors, but they should find a way to keep these exhibits open to regular visitors.
 
Neil chace said:
That's certainly an interesting acquisition. I'm sure many will appreciate the zoo having an additional cat in the collection, and small cats are a niche the zoo currently doesn't have filled. I'd be interested to see if this serval becomes an exhibit animal, or if the plan is to keep it as an animal ambassador.
Click to expand...

Velma was a normal exhibit (non ambassador) serval at EFBC. She has a curled tail which is a somewhat distinctive and interesting feature, I think. She was born at the Gladys Porter Zoo in Texas in January 2016.
 
Literally in fits at the name "Dinosaurs: Among Us". My freaking Planet Zoo project had the exact same thing, animatronic dinosaur walking trail called "Dinosaurs Among Us" just for the meme of the name alone. Now it's a reality. Life is so beautiful.

Planet_Zoo_Screenshot_2022.01.29_-_20.05.25.27.png
 
Does anyone have a species list for Tropical America? I don't really care when its from because I just want a refresher of the general layout.
 
wild boar said:
Does anyone have a species list for Tropical America? I don't really care when its from because I just want a refresher of the general layout.
Click to expand...

Front Entry: Emerald Tree Boa, Green Anaconda
Main Area (Side Exhibits): Green Aracari, Pale-Faced Saki/Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine, Golden Lion Tamarin, Red-Footed Tortoise/Radiated Tortoise/Burmese Brown Tortoise
Main Area (Free Ranging): Cottontop Tamarin, Linne's Two-toed Sloth, Elegant-Crested Tinamou, Other Free-Flying Birds
Nocturnal Section: Jamaican Fruit Bat, Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Outdoors Exhibits: Giant Anteater, Chilean Flamingo/Chiloe Widgeon/other birds?

To determine what birds I don't remember/didn't pay attention to may have been missing from the above list, I opened the internet archive and here's a list of other species listed during 2012:
Yellow-Rumped Cacique, Red-Crested Cardinal, White-Faced Whistling Duck (possibly with flamingoes?), Silver Beaked Tanager, Sunbittern, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Two-Spotted Assassin Bug (location unknown), Giant Brazilian Cockroach (location unknown)

Conservation Corner: North American Burying Beetle, Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, Spotted Turtle, Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt, Axolotl, possibly something else?
 
Neil chace said:
Front Entry: Emerald Tree Boa, Green Anaconda
Main Area (Side Exhibits): Green Aracari, Pale-Faced Saki/Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine, Golden Lion Tamarin, Red-Footed Tortoise/Radiated Tortoise/Burmese Brown Tortoise
Main Area (Free Ranging): Cottontop Tamarin, Linne's Two-toed Sloth, Elegant-Crested Tinamou, Other Free-Flying Birds
Nocturnal Section: Jamaican Fruit Bat, Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Outdoors Exhibits: Giant Anteater, Chilean Flamingo/Chiloe Widgeon/other birds?

To determine what birds I don't remember/didn't pay attention to may have been missing from the above list, I opened the internet archive and here's a list of other species listed during 2012:
Yellow-Rumped Cacique, Red-Crested Cardinal, White-Faced Whistling Duck (possibly with flamingoes?), Silver Beaked Tanager, Sunbittern, Blue-Crowned Motmot, Two-Spotted Assassin Bug (location unknown), Giant Brazilian Cockroach (location unknown)

Conservation Corner: North American Burying Beetle, Oriental Fire-Bellied Toad, Spotted Turtle, Japanese Fire-Bellied Newt, Axolotl, possibly something else?
Click to expand...

Whistling duck was with the flamingos, as well as another waterfowl species I cannot think of at this time (I remember seeing 4 species in the flamingo mixed exhibit). There was also King Vulture which was on exhibit outside the exit of Tropical America before they were moved to the Island of Adaptations.
 
Smaggledagle said:
Whistling duck was with the flamingos, as well as another waterfowl species I cannot think of at this time (I remember seeing 4 species in the flamingo mixed exhibit). There was also King Vulture which was on exhibit outside the exit of Tropical America before they were moved to the Island of Adaptations.
Click to expand...
I also remembered there being four species, one being white-faced whistling duck, but I can't think of what the other was. Thank you @Smaggledagle and @Neil chace.
 
The new building in front of the wildebeest enclosure is going to be for Photo Memories. Apparently, some small exhibits could be included here as well, but there are currently no specific animals planned. Unfortunately, it is not an aviary (an uncertain staff member suggested that as a possibility), but there is still potential for some great new additions to the zoo.
 
From the zoo's website:


NEW! Interactive Bird Shows take flight: April 14 – September 4

Birds take flight at the Zoo this year as they display their natural behaviors and abilities during daily shows. Get an up-close look at falcons, macaws, cranes, owls and more as they fly, call and mimic their interpreter —along with some surprise encounters that make this a don’t miss treat (weather dependent)!


I am looking forward to the cranes in the demonstrations. I have never seen a zoo do this, although I'm sure it has been done before. A bird show will really enhance the zoo this summer, especially because Dinosaurs Among Us makes walking through the Wetlands Trail an additional charge.
 
wild boar said:
I am looking forward to the cranes in the demonstrations. I have never seen a zoo do this, although I'm sure it has been done before.
Click to expand...
You're correct, it has been done before. Disney's Animal Kingdom has a grey-crowned crane as part of their Feathers in Flight show. Regardless, it'll still be an exciting addition to the zoo this summer, I've seen bird shows at a few other places before and they are always entertaining.
 
wild boar said:
A bird show will really enhance the zoo this summer, especially because Dinosaurs Among Us makes walking through the Wetlands Trail an additional charge.
Click to expand...

I'm happy the dinosaurs will bring in more visitors and income, but I'm most disappointed about the wetlands trail being off limits to regular visitors. What I'd really like is for the zoo to return to longer hours to 5 or 6 pm.
 
Neil chace said:
The zoo has updated its map to include the dinosaurs, and, interestingly enough, four new species in the African section that have yet-to-be-announced: Bat-eared Fox, Kirk's Dik-Dik, Hornbill (species unspecified), and an Aviary for unknown birds.

Map: https://www.rwpzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/2023-RWP-Zoo-Map.pdf
Click to expand...

What I'm curious about is why there is no mention of the new education building listed, as its covered by the Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top