Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo News 2024

Kifaru Bwana said:
The male should come in this year. On points, MCZ now maintains 3 female bongo.
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Any idea where the third female came from and when and where the male will come from?

Also is there any indicator that the zoo will be able to get the female jaguar from Belize? I’m curious with the arrivals of the gorilla, spider monkey, bongo, giraffe, snow leopard and others to see if the zoo is really making a push to boost the breeding programs. I’d love to see some other species become breeding animals at the zoo like caribou, elk, zebra (if we can get more in), tapir, rhino (once exhibit is complete), and especially the big cats (tigers, jaguars, lions). Wishful thinking as I know the zoo doesn’t have much funding and is making huge changes but hope that we can become a breeding facility for many species!
 
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James Krasting said:
Any idea where the third female came from and when and where the male will come from?

Also is there any indicator that the zoo will be able to get the female jaguar from Belize? I’m curious with the arrivals of the gorilla, spider monkey, bongo, giraffe, snow leopard and others to see if the zoo is really making a push to boost the breeding programs. I’d love to see some other species become breeding animals at the zoo like caribou, elk, zebra (if we can get more in), tapir, rhino (once exhibit is complete), and especially the big cats (tigers, jaguars, lions). Wishful thinking as I know the zoo doesn’t have much funding and is making huge changes but hope that we can become a breeding facility for many species!
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The potential for some new babies may help the zoo bring in more visitors, that way they can get more funds to renovate some of their exhibits. Then they will be able to breed species in better conditions as well.
 
James Krasting said:
Any idea where the third female came from and when and where the male will come from?

Also is there any indicator that the zoo will be able to get the female jaguar from Belize? I’m curious with the arrivals of the gorilla, spider monkey, bongo, giraffe, snow leopard and others to see if the zoo is really making a push to boost the breeding programs. I’d love to see some other species become breeding animals at the zoo like caribou, elk, zebra (if we can get more in), tapir, rhino (once exhibit is complete), and especially the big cats (tigers, jaguars, lions). Wishful thinking as I know the zoo doesn’t have much funding and is making huge changes but hope that we can become a breeding facility for many species!
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That is also my hope, that we become more of a whole life zoo and not just a geriatric one. Granted I know there’s been a few species that have been breeding, though it seems most of the animals aren’t being requested for the SSP breeding programs. Hopefully that will change as the zoo updates its facilities and brings more people in.
 
Made a visit to the zoo today because of the nice weather. Lots of people there for a Tuesday in February. Animals were pretty active but still lots of animals inside being February such as the hibernating animals and almost all African animals. The volunteer in the big cats building mentioned that kash is being introduced to a new female the zoo acquired. So hopefully the zoo will announce that shortly. Also mentioned the female jaguar should arrive this year at some point. Both Marlee and Ziggy are on contraceptives and Kendi and Maya have shown real interest in eachother. Zoo is hoping for another calf next summer. Those are 3 big signs of breeding programs for the zoo. The 2 yaks will be headed back to the zoo that loaned them to Milwaukee very soon as they start the demolition of the “pachyderm mall”. Penguin habitat project will start in the next couple weeks. As Aziza and the females are being introduced, Maji is viewable in the indoor enclosure. Baby Debrazza Monkey is very active, I believe the new spider monkey, Topaz was in the indoor enclosure with her companion. Couldn’t tell if it was her or the other pair as the spider monkey was halfway in the door going behind the scenes. The two siamangs are together as well can’t remember if someone mentioned that previously. Saw a zebra in the watering hole exhibit all alone. Wonder if they will acquire any others to breed or at least be a companion. Ring tailed lemurs have the first 5 or 6 spaces in the small mammals building. First two are for training sessions. Would love to see how they could renovate a new small mammal building with bigger spaces for them as the director has mentioned. Lots of excitement though as it seems the zoo is starting to make a push for changes and bringing in more animals.
 
Emailed the zoo last week in several different areas, and many of them speak to what people have been sharing recently.

The zoo/zoo society is finishing up the new master plan, and strategic plan soon, they will be releasing more information soon.

There has been a tropical building in discussion, however no final plans or timeline has been discussed.

The wooden walkway from the penguins to the great apes building will be closed during construction of the renovated penguin exhibit. As it currently stands the wooden pathway will not be altered due to construction and will reopen the same.

The gorilla and bonobo observation deck has been open, weather permitting. They hope to open it more this upcoming year.

The hippos, red river hogs, and the oryx’s will be staying during the construction of the new rhino and hippo area. The animals will be staying at the zoo during construction though they may be off exhibit at times.

The area near the elephant exhibit that used to house mountain goats, there has been discussions on what animal may thrive in that space, however nothing has been decided.

The SSP has recommended that the zoo begin their breeding program with bongos. A male has been recommended to the zoo more information to follow.

The zoo said the elk exhibit will be going under renovations. Once the renovations are completed they’ll consider bringing a male elk back.

The SSP has given the zoo a recommendation to begin breeding program of a lion. However, the lion that has been approved, has been having health issues. Until the health issues have been cleared the zoo is putting a pause on seeking a male. Also the zoo would have to make adjustments to holding, stay tune.

Lastly, for the female jaguar from Belize, the zoo is working on getting a permit to transport her here, however the permit has not been approved, so the timetable for her arrival has not been set yet.
 
savetherhino said:
So the zoo has three tigers?
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I believe 3 now? The volunteer said that Kash is being introduced to a new female. Unless he meant in the very near future. I did notice that he was supposed to be in the indoor enclosure but was back behind the scenes with the door open to the exhibit. So maybe that is part of the introduction to a new female. Kash and his sister are the 2 tigers the zoo has and a 3rd has either just arrived or soon to arrive from what I was told on the visit!
 
James Krasting said:
I believe 3 now? The volunteer said that Kash is being introduced to a new female. Unless he meant in the very near future. I did notice that he was supposed to be in the indoor enclosure but was back behind the scenes with the door open to the exhibit. So maybe that is part of the introduction to a new female. Kash and his sister are the 2 tigers the zoo has and a 3rd has either just arrived or soon to arrive from what I was told on the visit!
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I knew about Kash and Tula. I was wondering if they'd ever get Kash a mate
 
MKE Zoo guy said:
Emailed the zoo last week in several different areas, and many of them speak to what people have been sharing recently.

The zoo/zoo society is finishing up the new master plan, and strategic plan soon, they will be releasing more information soon.

There has been a tropical building in discussion, however no final plans or timeline has been discussed.

The wooden walkway from the penguins to the great apes building will be closed during construction of the renovated penguin exhibit. As it currently stands the wooden pathway will not be altered due to construction and will reopen the same.

The gorilla and bonobo observation deck has been open, weather permitting. They hope to open it more this upcoming year.

The hippos, red river hogs, and the oryx’s will be staying during the construction of the new rhino and hippo area. The animals will be staying at the zoo during construction though they may be off exhibit at times.

The area near the elephant exhibit that used to house mountain goats, there has been discussions on what animal may thrive in that space, however nothing has been decided.

The SSP has recommended that the zoo begin their breeding program with bongos. A male has been recommended to the zoo more information to follow.

The zoo said the elk exhibit will be going under renovations. Once the renovations are completed they’ll consider bringing a male elk back.

The SSP has given the zoo a recommendation to begin breeding program of a lion. However, the lion that has been approved, has been having health issues. Until the health issues have been cleared the zoo is putting a pause on seeking a male. Also the zoo would have to make adjustments to holding, stay tune.

Lastly, for the female jaguar from Belize, the zoo is working on getting a permit to transport her here, however the permit has not been approved, so the timetable for her arrival has not been set yet.
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Thank you so much for all of the fascinating news. Glad the walkway will remain and that the oryx and the elk have a long-term future here for now.

Also fun to find out tigers, jaguars, bongos and maybe some day lions will be breeding.

Glad there is discussion about mountain goat. I always think it's a dreadful shame Milwaukee, Racine and Brookfield all have specific, designated empty habitats for caprids. I realize Brookfield's exhibit is a special case but it just makes me feel like there is a "vacuum" for a caprid species that could fill these spaces if the existing programs cannot.
 
James Krasting said:
Yeah the third tiger is a mate for Kash. I’m just uncertain if it has arrived or is coming in the near future.
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Excellent and exciting news! It really seems the new management is very much set on an impressive route for modernising the zoo and re-invigorating breeding programs for some iconic species at MKZ and bringing in new animals for species in (future) focus.

Cannot wait to see the release of the planned for new Masterplan. I think it will be a game changer and that the management will engage the city on a more progressive route promoting the zoo's modernization, renovation and making it fit for purpose 20-30 years into the future. This will require the Counties to chip in with more rich funding than has previously been the case.
 
JVM said:
Glad there is discussion about mountain goat. I always think it's a dreadful shame Milwaukee, Racine and Brookfield all have specific, designated empty habitats for caprids. I realize Brookfield's exhibit is a special case but it just makes me feel like there is a "vacuum" for a caprid species that could fill these spaces if the existing programs cannot.
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The former dall sheep exhibit, which was near the brown bear and moose exhibits at the time, was an extension of the North American area. Now that that area has been rebranded as Africa, it seems like an African animal would need to go there to make sense. I've promoted the idea that klipspringers could go in there a la Africa Rocks at San Diego, but now that I've thought it over more Aoudad are technically African even though they aren't really featured in AZA zoos. Nubian Ibex are also technically at least sort of African and are in AZA zoos.
 
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