San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter Milwaukee Man
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I believe they were also replacing some/all of the viewing glass, iirc. I don't believe there's room to actually expand the exhibit.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
I need to get down there soon, I’ve been wanting to see them since I heard of their behind the scenes program!
Did these not use to be on display? I could've sworn I saw them in the old insect house way back in 2013.I need to get down there soon, I’ve been wanting to see them since I heard of their behind the scenes program!
I only had visited the zoo once when I was younger and can’t recall if they had them on display, I just knew of the species being held bts since being a member. They certainly hadn’t displayed them in the last 4 years since I’ve been a member which is when they started to renovate the old children’s zoo.
Based on a newsletter I received today, it looks like the next project for the zoo is a renovation of Polar Bear Plunge. Doesn’t make mention when it’s breaking ground or the extent of it, just indicates it will be their next venture so it’s safe to assume they’re going to continue to hold polar bears at the zoo for the foreseeable future.
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I’m excited to see they’ll continue to hold polar bears at the zoo and with the more recent exhibits the SDZWA has done, I’m hopeful for an even better home for their bears!
I’m glad they are, too. There were rumours they were going to go out of the species but I’m happy they aren’t.
What developments at the WAP are you thinking of?
The only one I know of at the WAP currently in development is the renovation of Elephant Valley. I was saying that I’ve loved their more recent additions at both parks(Tiger Trail and Walkabout Australia at WAP and Basecamp at the zoo). I think I just worded it wrong, my apologies
That is interesting news. I wonder if that is why they cleared out the reindeer exhibit, for potential expansion of the bear space.
I really wish that they would finally renovate the old Elephant Mesa (whatever they call it now) and build a decent giraffe and/or rhino space.
No need to apologise, my mistake.The only one I know of at the WAP currently in development is the renovation of Elephant Valley. I was saying that I’ve loved their more recent additions at both parks(Tiger Trail and Walkabout Australia at WAP and Basecamp at the zoo). I think I just worded it wrong, my apologies
It’s hard to disagree. The rhino and giraffe exhibits are nothing short of a disgrace. There are even other areas you could consider a priority. The lion and jaguars enclosures are poor despite being a only a decade old, the old bear grottos are also poor but could be improved without a huge amount of money. Even the sun bear exhibit is looking dated - lots of concrete!
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Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
How many polar bears do they have?
They have 1.2 polar bears: Kalluk(m), Tatqiq(f), and Chinook(f).
The last of the reindeer passed away, so I wonder if this in combination with the new ruling allowing the breeding of rescued bears has brought about the decision to renovate Polar Bear Plunge now. I think it is likely that this is a project of opportunity rather than something that has been planned long-term…
In other news, the pair of wrinkled hornbills in the aviary along the Koalifornia Boardwalk has been replaced by a mix of Bali myna, black-naped fruit-dove, black-naped oriole, black-throated launghingthrush, and Chinese hwamei.
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