To clarify, is the newly revealed Asia Zone intended to be the end-all, be-all for the zoo's look at the region, filling all available space in the area, or is it perhaps more of a 'phase 1' where this is the current plans and future expansion is definitely possible? I've not followed as extensively as others but my curiosity is definitely piqued.
North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2023
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OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
The zoo definitely has the space to expand (they've only used up 500 of their 2600 acres). However, with the current masterplan, they are going to build an Australian and Amazon sections to the park. I would that after this is done, expanding Asia might be on the table.
This seems to be what the zoo is aiming for after the masterplan has been fulfilled. As far as I know, they are planning to build a hotel on site so people will have a place to stay because it will take more than one day to see everything.
I think there's a big area in-between an exhibit not as comprehensive as Africa, and an exhibit that looks to me like just tigers and a few side exhibits. I don't think anyone would expect this to be the same scale as the other two sections, however this proposal does seem to me like less of an Asia zone and more of a "here are tigers and a few other species" zone. I hope this is only "Phase One" of Asia, as the zoo certainly has room available to expand the zone and include additional species in the future (e.g. a second big cat, sloth bears, primates, ungulates, a walk-through aviary, fruit bats, gharials, etc.).
As for your comment about not wanting it to be a "two-day zoo", I know in theme park design there's one line of thought that creating more than can possibly be experienced in one day adds perceived value to visitors, and makes visitors more likely to want to return. I'd imagine some of these philosophies apply to big zoos as well. Most visitors aren't going to see the whole zoo, but that's okay. It'll only make people more likely to come back later and hopefully have a completely different experience. Furthermore, I've never seen many people on here complaining that Omaha, San Diego, or Bronx take more than a day to see everything, and I suspect many zoochatters would be thrilled to have another two-day zoo located in a completely different part of the country.
The zoo made it a point to highlight more "regions" rather than "continents" as a way of making the site more digestible for visitors. Hence why Asia's truncated from being a full-on continent, but has highlights like tigers, komodo dragons, gibbons, cranes, vultures, Asian small-clawed otters, warty pigs and a bunch of other herptiles. I'm not the biggest fan of where the entrance is as it interrupts the North America section's flow (Cypress Swamp, Rocky Coast, Streamside, Northwoods, Prairie). I am kind of dreading doing North America then looping back and doing Asia, though the tram would make things significantly easier to navigate.
If you look closely, there is an outline of something, possibly an enclosure, in that area. I don't see any suggestion of a holding building, though.
What even is a vulture crane?
You are right, and it is the same color as the "Habitat" green.
It's a typo or just shortening vulture/crane or otherwise vulture and crane.
There are banded knob-tailed geckos (Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus) in the Desert building now. In the old Baja rat snake habitat. The rat snake is now in one of the former rattlesnake habitats at the beginning of the nocturnal zone.
https://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article279522174.html
Not sure if this link has been highlighted earlier but since this site is behind a paywall...
The N.C. Zoo would get the go-ahead to rebuild one of its most popular attractions — the aviary — under a proposed state budget acquired by The News & Observer this week. Deep in the document, where it briefly describes specific appropriations for projects within the state Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, it reads, “NC Zoological Park New Aviary Exhibit Building. Provides funding to construct a new Aviary Exhibit Building at the North Carolina Zoo. The total amount authorized for the project is $60 million.”
Of the total, the budget would authorize $3 million in fiscal 2023-24 and another $3 million in fiscal 2024-25. Those amounts align with Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal, crafted earlier this year, in which he asked for:
The R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary opened in 1982, partially funded by the tobacco company. It was the first permanent indoor exhibit at the park, which sits outside of Asheboro. The building was closed in December 1998 for 18 months of repair and renovation, which included replacing the heating, cooling and ventilation systems, as well as some of the floors. But 22 years later, the building was in bad shape again.
In order for the aviary’s 100 or so tropical birds and more than 2,000 exotic plants to thrive, the building’s humidity had to be kept high, comparable to a rainforest. But the moisture was hard on the structure, causing mold to grow and metal and concrete to degrade.
In addition, the roof leaked despite repeated repairs, and the ground under the building was slowly washing away because of erosion on the site. Eventually, engineers said the building was beyond repair and needed to be closed to protect the animals, guests and zoo staff. The aviary’s birds — 33 species — were relocated to other parts of the park or sent to other accredited zoos.
Not sure if this link has been highlighted earlier but since this site is behind a paywall...
The N.C. Zoo would get the go-ahead to rebuild one of its most popular attractions — the aviary — under a proposed state budget acquired by The News & Observer this week. Deep in the document, where it briefly describes specific appropriations for projects within the state Department of Cultural and Natural Resources, it reads, “NC Zoological Park New Aviary Exhibit Building. Provides funding to construct a new Aviary Exhibit Building at the North Carolina Zoo. The total amount authorized for the project is $60 million.”
Of the total, the budget would authorize $3 million in fiscal 2023-24 and another $3 million in fiscal 2024-25. Those amounts align with Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget proposal, crafted earlier this year, in which he asked for:
- $3 million to take down the old aviary building, which has been closed to visitors since 2022.
- $3 million to design a new aviary on a different site on the zoo grounds that would be subject to less erosion.
- $60 million total to bring the building to completion.
The R.J. Reynolds Forest Aviary opened in 1982, partially funded by the tobacco company. It was the first permanent indoor exhibit at the park, which sits outside of Asheboro. The building was closed in December 1998 for 18 months of repair and renovation, which included replacing the heating, cooling and ventilation systems, as well as some of the floors. But 22 years later, the building was in bad shape again.
In order for the aviary’s 100 or so tropical birds and more than 2,000 exotic plants to thrive, the building’s humidity had to be kept high, comparable to a rainforest. But the moisture was hard on the structure, causing mold to grow and metal and concrete to degrade.
In addition, the roof leaked despite repeated repairs, and the ground under the building was slowly washing away because of erosion on the site. Eventually, engineers said the building was beyond repair and needed to be closed to protect the animals, guests and zoo staff. The aviary’s birds — 33 species — were relocated to other parts of the park or sent to other accredited zoos.
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Wow, a new aviary would be fantastic, it really was a lose to the zoo.
Wow, the problems with the aviary were even more pervasive than I originally thought. This is my first time learning of the 1998 renovation.
A new aviary would definitely be great for the zoo, as the loss of the original aviary ate into their bird collection. Hopefully, they can design the new structure to not fall apart from having to contain a humid climate.
A new aviary would definitely be great for the zoo, as the loss of the original aviary ate into their bird collection. Hopefully, they can design the new structure to not fall apart from having to contain a humid climate.
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Yep! That looks like everything!
There's now a tunnel made of shipping containers along the North America trail from the old geyser to the bison statue to protect visitors from construction on the Asia bridge.
Several Greater Kudus and one Addra Gazelle have been born at the North Carolina Zoo: Log into Facebook | Facebook
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Fantastic news! If I'm not mistaken, Addra Gazelle birthday are decently rare in the US.
The habitat that held a Western Hognose snake in the Desert building now holds a Madrean alligator lizard.
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Polar bear dies in transit:
Some sad news regarding Payton, who died in transit to Louisville Zoo:
Payton the polar bear dies while being transported from North Carolina Zoo - WWAYTV3
After the care team left the North Carolina Zoo with Payton, they performed routine checks on the 1,000-pound polar bear during the trip. On the second check, less than two hours away from the North Carolina Zoo, the care team found Payton non-responsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed that Payton had died.
Some sad news regarding Payton, who died in transit to Louisville Zoo:
Payton the polar bear dies while being transported from North Carolina Zoo - WWAYTV3
After the care team left the North Carolina Zoo with Payton, they performed routine checks on the 1,000-pound polar bear during the trip. On the second check, less than two hours away from the North Carolina Zoo, the care team found Payton non-responsive. He was immediately transported to a nearby large animal veterinarian, who confirmed that Payton had died.
Piece of September 2023 News Not Mentioned:
On September 27th, the zoo announced that (0.0.14) Virgin Island boas were born in 2023 so far.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/851815839949022
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On November 1st, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.0.2+?) plains zebras from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota.
ZOO NEWS: No time for hibernating
On September 27th, the zoo announced that (0.0.14) Virgin Island boas were born in 2023 so far.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/851815839949022
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 1st, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.0.2+?) plains zebras from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota.
ZOO NEWS: No time for hibernating
The Kookaburra and Blue-faced honeyeater have been moved out of Desert and the Burrowing Owl put in their old habitat. The White-faced Buffalo Weavers are now by themselves.