GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
Let's hope this one is actually male this time lol! Still can't figure out how they thought Jennifer was a male?
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2023
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Let's hope this one is actually male this time lol! Still can't figure out how they thought Jennifer was a male?
Nothing about hippos, but elephants were actually brought up. I forgot to mention this, but when asked if elephants were planned for the future, the response was quite interesting. The presenters stated that while they can’t make any guarantees, the zoo does have a concept in mind for elephants and that we will find out more when the master plan is released in September. They followed that up by mentioning that the planning team visited the National Zoo’s Elephant Trails and was impressed, suggesting they’d like to do something similar.
Man that was an important bit wasn’t it? I really should’ve put that in the original post.
Yes, so much yes. It seems they are only taking inspiration from the best places for a new exhibit that truly benefits the elephants. I’m not expecting it until the 2030s at best, but at least it’s something to look forward to for the future.
This Master Plan is sounding more exciting every day. Can’t wait to see the public plans in September once it’s all ready. Lincoln Park had their time, but now it’s Brookfield’s time to go big.
One of Lincoln Park’s sloths, eh? I’m sure he’ll have a good time in Brookfield hanging with Jennifer. No pun intended.
J-Law is now at Brandywine Zoo. Brookfield has one female, Raisin.
The zoos 2022 annual report has been released (thank you to @wilson for bringing it to my attention) which includes a new rendering of the Gorilla Conservation Center and a model of one of the outdoor gorilla enclosures. Plans for the Australia expansion are briefly discussed at the end along with some master planning details.
Australia Refresh:
“We are looking forward to opening phase 2 of the small-footprint habitat projects in 2024. New habitats are being planned for some unique and fascinating species from down under, including the adorable, eucalyptus-leaf-chewing koala. Visitors will also meet the largest tree dwelling mammal in Australia, the tree kangaroo.”
“In the wild, koalas and tree kangaroos face a number of threats including habitat, loss in a warming planet. At the zoo, they will serve as ambassadors for their species.”
“Many of the zoo’s wallabies will be relocated to a new habitat near Australia. An elevated boardwalk over the habitat will give visitors opportunities to see the animals up close and learn their conservation story.”
Master Plan Goals:
1.) Secure Brookfield Zoo as a leading zoological institution.
2.) Transform the zoo by providing a paradigm of new visitor experiences and animal habitats.
3.) Increase the meaningful impact of the zoo experience with implementation of new projects at multiple scales.
4.) Do things in a way no other zoo has done yet.
5.) Create an overall more cohesive experience.
One last interesting tidbit from the report is that not one, but two white-bellied pangolins were born last year. This brings the zoo’s total population to 11 individuals (5.6).
Australia Refresh:
“We are looking forward to opening phase 2 of the small-footprint habitat projects in 2024. New habitats are being planned for some unique and fascinating species from down under, including the adorable, eucalyptus-leaf-chewing koala. Visitors will also meet the largest tree dwelling mammal in Australia, the tree kangaroo.”
“In the wild, koalas and tree kangaroos face a number of threats including habitat, loss in a warming planet. At the zoo, they will serve as ambassadors for their species.”
“Many of the zoo’s wallabies will be relocated to a new habitat near Australia. An elevated boardwalk over the habitat will give visitors opportunities to see the animals up close and learn their conservation story.”
Master Plan Goals:
1.) Secure Brookfield Zoo as a leading zoological institution.
2.) Transform the zoo by providing a paradigm of new visitor experiences and animal habitats.
3.) Increase the meaningful impact of the zoo experience with implementation of new projects at multiple scales.
4.) Do things in a way no other zoo has done yet.
5.) Create an overall more cohesive experience.
One last interesting tidbit from the report is that not one, but two white-bellied pangolins were born last year. This brings the zoo’s total population to 11 individuals (5.6).
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One more thing that caught my eye in the annual report was the the following about the master plan.
“The process began with a land survey and facility condition assessment of 170 structures so we can understand the status of our buildings and grounds. The land survey by the American Land Title Association determined that the footprint of the Zoo is 235 acres—19 more than we had previously thought!”
“The process began with a land survey and facility condition assessment of 170 structures so we can understand the status of our buildings and grounds. The land survey by the American Land Title Association determined that the footprint of the Zoo is 235 acres—19 more than we had previously thought!”
Now this is interesting. Considering the fact that it has been a few years since the dubious import of pangolins have occurred. Assuming Brookfield didn’t get another import with pregnant pangolins, could these animals be considered as a true breeding success of pangolins?
Brookfield had several breeding successes in recent years, including the first second generation captive birth of this species.
IcthyoRider
Member
Does anyone know if there are any plans regarding the pachyderm house in general? Not elephants specifically
As of right now, tentative plans to just turn it into a viewing area looking into an African savanna exhibit.
Everyone's benchmark for success will vary. The zoo has had second-generation captive births as pointed out by @birdsandbats but from a long-term perspective it is not successful. There is not going to be a sustainable pangolin population in zoos. I'd like to be more proud of the program but since I was told the animals were imported pregnant I've not felt the same. I'm sure we've gained valuable research insight at least.
As MeiLover stated, it will become a Savannah viewing area. The writing on the wall is that if pachyderms continue at the zoo they will be in new facilities. I'm glad the historic building can still be re-utilized though, ala the Pepper Family Wildlife Center.
A little disappointed to confirm this is more of a refresh/expansion of an existing space instead of a renovation, but I was always nervous a renovation would lead to outright losing species. Tree kangaroo and koala will be fantastic additions to an already great collection though and I'm glad Puzzle will be getting a new space instead of living with bats or in the former frogmouth habitat.
A new wallaby exhibit isn't exciting by itself, as Brookfield already has two wallaby exhibits as it is, but perhaps if they are moving them to a new habitat, we may see new species move into their existing habitats? Maybe another macropod?
I hope we learn more about the Australia project soon and I hope they let themselves get even more ambitious.
IcthyoRider
Member
anything said about the species that would occupy the space? like mixing the rhinos with antelope?
Nothing set in stone yet.
A helmeted curassow from Lincoln Park Zoo was brought to Brookfield Zoo last week. The chick hatched on July 31 and is currently behind the scenes with two peafowl chicks for companionship. When it gets a little bigger, he will be introduced to the adult helmeted curassows.
Not to mention, regarding the Pangolins, the amount that have died. 45 were originally imported- many pregnant, and currently less than half of that remain despite births. The population is definitely not going to be sustainable long term, and added into the sketchy acquisition of the animals, I don't feel it was THAT worth it. You could also argue that had they remained in the wild they would have been poached anyways and at least we hopefully learned a lot about their husbandry.
Yeah, it depends if we define success by 'have we learned a lot and gained really valuable data?' or 'do we have a sustainable captive pangolin population?'. I think in the former respect, there's been considerable success, and in the latter, I can't say we've had it.
Tbh a savannah overview sounds good in concept. So keeping the building and revamping it for that purpose would be the best thing Brookfield has ever done.
That last part right there, shows a stark difference from how Brookfield used to be with their last leadership to now. It's hard to believe they are changing for the better with these goals and ambitious Idas in mind. Only time will tell how big these improvements will be in the next decade.
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