zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Two gray foxes Urocyon cinereoargenteus have arrived and are in quarantine.
Renovations have begun at the top of the former Wolf Run exhibit on South Rim (where a summer habitat has been for tortoises in recent years). This may be a temporary exhibit for the gray foxes until they move to their permanent habitat when Wild Utah opens in 2024.
Renovations have begun at the top of the former Wolf Run exhibit on South Rim (where a summer habitat has been for tortoises in recent years). This may be a temporary exhibit for the gray foxes until they move to their permanent habitat when Wild Utah opens in 2024.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
The red panda habitat in Asian Highlands has been blocked off to give the mom privacy. The sign by the red panda exhibit says that Priya gave birth to two cubs (I am assuming this is a misprint?!)
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zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Construction Update on Wild Utah:
The walls of the Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center are being completed and the building is starting to take shape. The path to the new center from the existing bridge has been installed.
Extensive rock work is underway on the desert bighorn sheep exhibit and looks beautiful! This will be the most impressive habitat in the new exhibit, and not just because I love Caprinae. The bighorn habitat is built into the side of the foothills instead of a standalone mountain exhibit like that of Denver Zoo. The backdrop of this exhibit includes the Rocky Mountain Range adding to the habitat's authenticity. The bighorn will definitely have the best view of any animals at the zoo, as they can overlook the entire Salt Lake Valley. My only worry for this habitat is the sheep's holding area which may be an eyesore. However, the building looks low enough that hopefully it will blend into the rest of the foothills. I am sure plantings will also help fix this situation.
Construction of the new train depot is nearly complete and new track has already been laid. Once finished, the old fort playground and current train depot can be demolished.
The only buildings that have yet to be started are the holding areas for the small carnivores and the cougar/burro holding areas. However these plots have been leveled so I assume work will begin soon. Rock work continuing from the bighorn habitat into the cougar habitat is being started. This makes it look like the cougar habitat will go above the existing Moffat Tunnel, giving the animals a nice space to climb.
Finally, the planned trail to Emigration Creek has been cleared which mostly includes the area where the old mining display was.
The walls of the Norma W. Matheson Education Animal Center are being completed and the building is starting to take shape. The path to the new center from the existing bridge has been installed.
Extensive rock work is underway on the desert bighorn sheep exhibit and looks beautiful! This will be the most impressive habitat in the new exhibit, and not just because I love Caprinae. The bighorn habitat is built into the side of the foothills instead of a standalone mountain exhibit like that of Denver Zoo. The backdrop of this exhibit includes the Rocky Mountain Range adding to the habitat's authenticity. The bighorn will definitely have the best view of any animals at the zoo, as they can overlook the entire Salt Lake Valley. My only worry for this habitat is the sheep's holding area which may be an eyesore. However, the building looks low enough that hopefully it will blend into the rest of the foothills. I am sure plantings will also help fix this situation.
Construction of the new train depot is nearly complete and new track has already been laid. Once finished, the old fort playground and current train depot can be demolished.
The only buildings that have yet to be started are the holding areas for the small carnivores and the cougar/burro holding areas. However these plots have been leveled so I assume work will begin soon. Rock work continuing from the bighorn habitat into the cougar habitat is being started. This makes it look like the cougar habitat will go above the existing Moffat Tunnel, giving the animals a nice space to climb.
Finally, the planned trail to Emigration Creek has been cleared which mostly includes the area where the old mining display was.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Confirmed today that the renovations happening at the top of the old Wolf Run exhibit are for a new habitat for pygmy goats. They will be added later this summer.
Other updates:
Chimeegui (1.0 snow leopard) was on exhibit today. First time he has been out in a while.
A member from the Small Cat Taxon Advisory Group recently came to Hogle to collect semen samples from Asim (sand cat), Ryder (black-footed cat), and Patenka (Pallas's cat).
Rocco (1.0 rhinoceros iguana) has moved to his outdoor summer habitat on the west side of SAB. Ryder the black-footed cat now has access to Rocco's indoor habitat.
Buffy and Willow (0.2 Von der Decken's hornbills) have been taken off exhibit.
The west doors to the SAB are open once again and the partition wall at the entrance has been modified. You can now walk around the SAB in either direction.
Other updates:
Chimeegui (1.0 snow leopard) was on exhibit today. First time he has been out in a while.
A member from the Small Cat Taxon Advisory Group recently came to Hogle to collect semen samples from Asim (sand cat), Ryder (black-footed cat), and Patenka (Pallas's cat).
Rocco (1.0 rhinoceros iguana) has moved to his outdoor summer habitat on the west side of SAB. Ryder the black-footed cat now has access to Rocco's indoor habitat.
Buffy and Willow (0.2 Von der Decken's hornbills) have been taken off exhibit.
The west doors to the SAB are open once again and the partition wall at the entrance has been modified. You can now walk around the SAB in either direction.
Other 2023 News:
On June 15th, the zoo announced its gender (1.0) and name, Wallace.
We have a name! Can you guess his name... - Utah's Hogle Zoo
On June 21st, it was reported that the zoo transferred a (1.0) Amur leopard named Jordan to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota.
MSN
On August 13th, the zoo announced that they acquired (0.2) striped skunks from an unspecified rehabilitation facility and will be on exhibit starting August 31st.
A *sweet* opportunity to name the zoo's... - Utah's Hogle Zoo
On June 15th, the zoo announced its gender (1.0) and name, Wallace.
We have a name! Can you guess his name... - Utah's Hogle Zoo
On June 21st, it was reported that the zoo transferred a (1.0) Amur leopard named Jordan to the Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota.
MSN
On August 13th, the zoo announced that they acquired (0.2) striped skunks from an unspecified rehabilitation facility and will be on exhibit starting August 31st.
A *sweet* opportunity to name the zoo's... - Utah's Hogle Zoo
I've noticed a couple of things about Hogle since I've been coming back since the pandemic happened.
1. They no Longer have Eurasian Lynx. Anybody know when and why they left?
2. The last couple of times I've visited, Baron and Vulcan (The Zoo's Male Lions) have been out. I haven't seen the three lionesses. I've emailed the zoo about this, and haven't gotten an answer yet. Are they out at different times? Has anybody who's been there recently seen them?
1. They no Longer have Eurasian Lynx. Anybody know when and why they left?
2. The last couple of times I've visited, Baron and Vulcan (The Zoo's Male Lions) have been out. I haven't seen the three lionesses. I've emailed the zoo about this, and haven't gotten an answer yet. Are they out at different times? Has anybody who's been there recently seen them?
1. I would agree, I believe they have since passed. They arrived back in 2006 upon the opening of Asian Highlands.
2. I am not sure why they're separated, possibly because to prevent inbreeding with Calliope? I have however seen them behind the scenes.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
A little clarification on the the lion pride:
The males are usually separated from the females to prevent any breeding. Lion breeding within the AZA has slowed over the years as there is simply not much space within the institutions to maintain "natural" prides. Males from every litter must be moved at some point to minimize competition, and there are only so many spaces that can hold bachelor groupings. Most zoos have lions as they have been deemed an iconic "must have" in collections. It will be interesting to see the future management strategies of this species. Hogle Zoo's pride has also well represented genes within the AZA population, so there is not a need for more of their offspring.
The absence of breeding lions at Hogle Zoo also has to do with space. At the time of the cubs' birth, Hogle had the most lions in the smallest space. This may seem concerning, but it is actually quite the feet that keepers were able to maintain tempers among the pride during that time. The facility simply couldn't handle another large litter.
So for now the females, including Calliope, are separated from the males as they take turns being on exhibit. Those who are off exhibit, have access to the indoor holding and two small outdoor yards (which are visible through the fence near Meerkat Manor).
The males are usually separated from the females to prevent any breeding. Lion breeding within the AZA has slowed over the years as there is simply not much space within the institutions to maintain "natural" prides. Males from every litter must be moved at some point to minimize competition, and there are only so many spaces that can hold bachelor groupings. Most zoos have lions as they have been deemed an iconic "must have" in collections. It will be interesting to see the future management strategies of this species. Hogle Zoo's pride has also well represented genes within the AZA population, so there is not a need for more of their offspring.
The absence of breeding lions at Hogle Zoo also has to do with space. At the time of the cubs' birth, Hogle had the most lions in the smallest space. This may seem concerning, but it is actually quite the feet that keepers were able to maintain tempers among the pride during that time. The facility simply couldn't handle another large litter.
So for now the females, including Calliope, are separated from the males as they take turns being on exhibit. Those who are off exhibit, have access to the indoor holding and two small outdoor yards (which are visible through the fence near Meerkat Manor).
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
End of summer update:
A male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae was born on August 29, 2023 to dam Poppy and sire Scooby. This is Poppy's third calf. The calf is already out in the main savanna habitat.
A new California sea lion Zalophus californianus is on exhibit in Rocky Shores.
The older of the two new female stripped skunks Mephitis mephitis is now out of quarantine and on exhibit in the Tropics Zone of the Small Animal Building. She occupies the exhibit next to the fruit bats which formerly held the southern flying squirrels. The flying squirrels have moved to the empty exhibit that is directly to the right of their former exhibit.
Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis now occupy the former eastern hellbender tank in the Temperate Zone of SAB.
Sanura, the elderly black-footed cat Felis nigripes, passed away on September 1, 2023. Her exhibit in the Temperate Zone of SAB remains empty.
The Von der Decken's hornbills are back on exhibit in the Tropics Zone of SAB.
Construction of the domestic goat exhibit on the South Rim has seemed to stop. This may be a project the zoo revisits in the spring.
New flags greet zoo guests at the front gate. New signage can be found throughout the park. These were updated for the zoo's annual fundraiser which occurred on September 8, 2023.
A male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae was born on August 29, 2023 to dam Poppy and sire Scooby. This is Poppy's third calf. The calf is already out in the main savanna habitat.
A new California sea lion Zalophus californianus is on exhibit in Rocky Shores.
The older of the two new female stripped skunks Mephitis mephitis is now out of quarantine and on exhibit in the Tropics Zone of the Small Animal Building. She occupies the exhibit next to the fruit bats which formerly held the southern flying squirrels. The flying squirrels have moved to the empty exhibit that is directly to the right of their former exhibit.
Western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis now occupy the former eastern hellbender tank in the Temperate Zone of SAB.
Sanura, the elderly black-footed cat Felis nigripes, passed away on September 1, 2023. Her exhibit in the Temperate Zone of SAB remains empty.
The Von der Decken's hornbills are back on exhibit in the Tropics Zone of SAB.
Construction of the domestic goat exhibit on the South Rim has seemed to stop. This may be a project the zoo revisits in the spring.
New flags greet zoo guests at the front gate. New signage can be found throughout the park. These were updated for the zoo's annual fundraiser which occurred on September 8, 2023.
Also, the zoo has a new hyrax.
And the zoo's website unfortunately says that the possibility of elephants returning is highly unlikely.
It's here under "Will elephants return to Utah's Hogle Zoo?" : Elephant Updates - Utah's Hogle Zoo
Which is a bummer, but kinda makes sense given that I have no idea on how the zoo could've expanded the habitat. It's a smaller zoo, space isn't easy to come by.
And the zoo's website unfortunately says that the possibility of elephants returning is highly unlikely.
It's here under "Will elephants return to Utah's Hogle Zoo?" : Elephant Updates - Utah's Hogle Zoo
Which is a bummer, but kinda makes sense given that I have no idea on how the zoo could've expanded the habitat. It's a smaller zoo, space isn't easy to come by.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
As Beastking04 mentioned in their last post, the return of elephants is unlikely (never say never).
One point they make is that the zoo is “small” and that “space isn’t easy to come by.”
This is something the zoo addressed long before the announcement was made this year that the zoo would end their elephant program. When discussing their 2014 master plan, Hogle Zoo had a plan to extend their elephant exhibit, knowing that they would need to add more elephants to their collection which included a breeding bull. One option was to phase out the southern white rhinoceros and turn their exhibit into a bull yard.
Another option was to create a path for the elephants that went past the Wildlife Amphitheater leading them to a new exhibit on the southernmost portion of the zoo. The area proposed for this exhibit has been a part of the South Parking lot (now only used for staff). This year, that space has been turned into warehouse storage with brand new structures.
This plan came after Philadelphia Zoo’s Zoo360, which started a trend to allow animals the option to choose where they spent their day throughout the zoo. This ambitious plan was never realized and was not included in the 2014 master plan. I think it is important to note that Hogle Zoo’s decision to end the elephant program was not without discussions surrounding extending the current habitat.
(Delete if not the appropriate thread) but I think there’s so much more than physical space at play here. While space is beneficial for elephant welfare I know studies show that social opportunities and social dynamics are just as important if not more. This encompasses herd dynamics centered around multi generation herd settings. I really think the reality of the situation and no pun intended, but the elephant in the room is that there just aren’t many elephants left in zoos, especially viable females in good reproductive health. This paired with the time it takes to produce calves. Sure you could throw money at it to house a bull but I think we’ve learned so much lately about social dynamics of bulls that housing a couple of bulls still wouldn’t be in the animals best interest. I think this is all being taken into consideration when examining existing programs as well as the future for other programs. The shift has definitely been interesting to watch as I’m sure we’ll continue to see programs phase out their program.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Perhaps you took my comment wrongly. Space was just one factor in this decision. The current exhibit doesn't have space for a multigenerational herd. I was simply suggesting that Hogle Zoo engaged the fact of bringing in more elephants, females and males included. Ultimately the zoo chose to send their females to a new zoo where a multigenerational herd was present. This was just a possibility zoo officials were considering before they made the DIFFICULT decision to say goodbye to there elephant program.
An expansion of the elephant habitat always included bringing in more females as well as a breeding bull.
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Elephant Farewell Party this Saturday (09/23/2023) at the zoo. The move is getting closer for Christie and Zuri:
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Confirmed from keeper:
Tentative plans for Elephant Encounter have been set for after the African elephants leave.
The male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae will be moved down to elephant encounter where they will share exhibit space with the southern white rhinoceros. These two species will share both the current rhino habitat and the soon to be former elephant work yard (circular center exhibit). This is why in the zoo's post about the most recent zebra calf the zoo stated, "we expect this foal to be the last “zebro” for a few years in the African Savanna" as the males will be separated from the females.
The main elephant habitat will undergo some renovations, including filling in the large pool, before introducing two new species. A bachelor herd of Przewalski's horse Equus ferus przewalskii will be coming from the Minnesota Zoo. This is the first time this species will be exhibited in Utah, and will make Hogle Zoo the 20th institution and 18th AZA zoo to hold Przewalski's horse in North America. They will share the habitat with domesticated Bactrian camels Camelus bactrianus, a species returning to the zoo since their last appearance in 2012. The addition of these two species reflects ones that the zoo are looking to add into their permanent collection, giving us insight into what the upcoming master plan may include.
Tentative plans for Elephant Encounter have been set for after the African elephants leave.
The male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae will be moved down to elephant encounter where they will share exhibit space with the southern white rhinoceros. These two species will share both the current rhino habitat and the soon to be former elephant work yard (circular center exhibit). This is why in the zoo's post about the most recent zebra calf the zoo stated, "we expect this foal to be the last “zebro” for a few years in the African Savanna" as the males will be separated from the females.
The main elephant habitat will undergo some renovations, including filling in the large pool, before introducing two new species. A bachelor herd of Przewalski's horse Equus ferus przewalskii will be coming from the Minnesota Zoo. This is the first time this species will be exhibited in Utah, and will make Hogle Zoo the 20th institution and 18th AZA zoo to hold Przewalski's horse in North America. They will share the habitat with domesticated Bactrian camels Camelus bactrianus, a species returning to the zoo since their last appearance in 2012. The addition of these two species reflects ones that the zoo are looking to add into their permanent collection, giving us insight into what the upcoming master plan may include.
I wonder if this is the herd of Przewalski's from Minnesota Zoo that were to be sent to Russia before the pandemic and then never made it. I know Minnesota Zoo was hoping to find a place for them due to cost of keeping large herd.
zoocentral
Well-Known Member
Names and Elephant News:
The naming of new animals is a big ticket item for the zoo when it comes to their annual gala, and we now have names for the park's baby zebra and red panda.
The female Himalayan red panda Ailurus fulgens fulgens who was born on June 23, 2023 to dam Priya and sire Mow Mow has been named Dorji (Dor-jay). Her name is the Tibetan word for diamond. Dorji is the first red panda birth in the zoo's history. Priya only arrived to Utah in June 2022, so it is exciting to see how quickly she was able to bond with resident male Mow Mow. I think we will have many more cubs to look forward to in the future.
The male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae born on August 29, 2023 has been named Malcolm in honor of William Wallace's brother. Malcolm will eventually join the other male zebra on their move to Elephant Encounter once Christie and Zuri leave.
Speaking of elephants... The crates that Christie and Zuri will be in during their commute to their new destination have arrived and are being housed currently in the off-exhibit rhino yard. The female elephants have been training for their move by wearing the bracelets that will help keep them secure during the trip (Christie's bracelets are all gray while Zuri has a different color of bracelet on each leg). Once in the crates, a crane will lift them onto a truck. Once on the truck, they will begin their 40-hour commute to their new home. A couple members from the Hogle Zoo elephant team will be driving behind the truck to join them and care for the elephants during the journey. Those keepers will then spend seven months in the new destination to help Christie and Zuri settle in. This history making move is upon us zoo friends!
Coming up this week, I will be visiting the Wild Utah construction site and will provide an update on the exhibit's process.
The naming of new animals is a big ticket item for the zoo when it comes to their annual gala, and we now have names for the park's baby zebra and red panda.
The female Himalayan red panda Ailurus fulgens fulgens who was born on June 23, 2023 to dam Priya and sire Mow Mow has been named Dorji (Dor-jay). Her name is the Tibetan word for diamond. Dorji is the first red panda birth in the zoo's history. Priya only arrived to Utah in June 2022, so it is exciting to see how quickly she was able to bond with resident male Mow Mow. I think we will have many more cubs to look forward to in the future.
The male Hartmann's mountain zebra Equus zebra hartmannae born on August 29, 2023 has been named Malcolm in honor of William Wallace's brother. Malcolm will eventually join the other male zebra on their move to Elephant Encounter once Christie and Zuri leave.
Speaking of elephants... The crates that Christie and Zuri will be in during their commute to their new destination have arrived and are being housed currently in the off-exhibit rhino yard. The female elephants have been training for their move by wearing the bracelets that will help keep them secure during the trip (Christie's bracelets are all gray while Zuri has a different color of bracelet on each leg). Once in the crates, a crane will lift them onto a truck. Once on the truck, they will begin their 40-hour commute to their new home. A couple members from the Hogle Zoo elephant team will be driving behind the truck to join them and care for the elephants during the journey. Those keepers will then spend seven months in the new destination to help Christie and Zuri settle in. This history making move is upon us zoo friends!
Coming up this week, I will be visiting the Wild Utah construction site and will provide an update on the exhibit's process.
That's very disappointing considering they are DOMESTIC!
I thought Minnesota's herd that was to be sent to Russia was a breeding group. In any case, they are the animals in the musk ox enclosure, so if you're right, we'll hopefully see a new species in the lake enclosure there.
Thanks for sharing! These are some good updates.