Will the takin still be visible anywhere at the zoo or safari park?
San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2024
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Panda_Fan
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From my understanding, a lot of people said they would be kept off-exhibit.
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
I really hope that doesn't end up being the case, takin were one of the species I was looking forward to seeing during my visit later this year as I have never seen them before.
Currently the only place to see the takin is from the Skyfari offloading ramp, where you can sometimes see them off in the distance in their off-exhibit hillside yards. Usually, it is the mishmi takin herd that is most visible, and they have two new calves.
I have said it before, but I would be surprised if they are not put back on exhibit eventually. While they might not return once the renovations to Panda Canyon are complete, I would expect them to return in a future project. They were quite popular with guests, and half of the golden takin herd cannot leave the zoo, so they might as well be on exhibit...
@King of Komodo Dragons - Will you also be visiting the Los Angeles Zoo while in SoCal? The Sichuan takin there are usually pretty easy to see.
King of Komodo Dragons
Well-Known Member
unfortunately for budget reasons I will be sticking close to the san diego area, only currently planning to go to San Diego Zoo, the safari park, and Seaworld san diego. now that I am out of college I should hopefully have more opportunities to travel to zoos outside of Texas and Florida so even if I don't get to see takin during this trip I should hopefully have other opportunities in the future.
Oh that would be such a shame!! They’re a really cool species. Hopefully they do create a new area for them, because it’s bizarre to have them at the zoo but not visible.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Here is a video of the hippos back in their Ituri Forest exhibit. The exhibit looks really beautiful!
What are the new features?
I do not know if they did any renovations to their behind-the-scenes holding, but otherwise they replaced the filtration system and the glass viewing panels, added a new basking rock in the pool, added a new tour deck, and then updated the signage and some of the plantings outside of the exhibit.
Grizzly Bear King
New Member
According to a new video posted today to YouTube by RJB Wildlife, the Malayan Tapirs are back in their habitat on the Tiger Trail. As predicted earlier in this forum, there is no longer an Indian Rock Python in the terrarium next to the tapirs, but rather, the zoo converted it into an aviary.
Another noteworthy thing from this video is that the archway signage for Panda Trek seems to have been removed indicating a potential rename of the area once the giant pandas arrive.
Here is a link to the video:
Another noteworthy thing from this video is that the archway signage for Panda Trek seems to have been removed indicating a potential rename of the area once the giant pandas arrive.
Here is a link to the video:
Glad that the Malayan tapir are back on exhibit along the Tiger Trail in the Lost Forest part of SDZ!
Any information on the assemblage of bird species within this aviary?
At timestamp 4:58 you can see the signage for the aviary. It holds:
Pink-headed Fruit-dove, Black-throated Laughingthrush, Golden-crested Myna, Chestnut-backed Thrush and Palawan Peacock-Pheasant.
Besides the myna (a newer addition) this is the same lineup it had when I visited last year - so essentially they removed the Indian Rock Python and Asian Giant Toads from the smaller enclosure on the left (the birds were already in the same larger space to the right) then replaced the glass with wire on the whole setup.
The Indian Rock Python is on display at the Reptile House now; not sure what happened to the toads.
@Coelacanth18, thanks for your interjection and filling in the blanks. I am glad the birds within the aviary all have either an Asian origin or are vulnerable and endangered species. Happy the SDZ is doing so.
I somewhat deplore that the zoo has taken out the amphibians and reptile (constrictor snake species) from the exhibit. It is nice if zoos transgress mixed animal exclosures by having non competing species of various animal orders in the very same exhibit. Further be nice if they chance from Indian rock python to a rarer species from S.E. Asian region, same goes for the giant toads...
I do hope SDZ might add som amphibian and reptile exhibits along the trail when doing small project redesigning here (I do know they have an excellent herp Department and dedicated facility ... that is very much true) so as to make the vision / inmmersion value of the Lost Forest that much the greater (BTW: I know they have 2 exhibits for large crocodilians (at least one being Asian) here and the Reptile Walk is quite nearby (major Asian species focus on Komodo dragon)!!!!!
NOTA BENE: As I am an international reader and not have swathes of time to wade through videos and all news items it invariably happens - and probably I am not alone in this - that just "aviary" is not really that specific enough. I do hope locals and SW US readers will accept and understand that we maybe keen, but not "know all".
The toads moved with the python. Both species are on display together in the old sailfin lizard exhibit in the Reptile House.
AndrewH100
Active Member
Also from this video, I'm not sure if anyone else has seen the "plans" for the new panda area but I found this interesting (especially the overhead pathway transfer for the panda's to use). I took a screen shot from this video.
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I don't think the Zoo joined the earlier debate considering the mud curb at the base of the fence either.
I am skeptical about these plans based on the video as it appears the only real change is making the habitats bigger. Having the viewing just be a long pathway is underwhelming.
Luna the Baird’s Tapir gave birth to a calf on June 2. The sire is Felix. Mom and baby are doing well and currently bonding behind the scenes in the barn, but have access to a fenced yard between the two tapir/capybara habitats where guests can catch a glimpse.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The zoo's 3-year-old male Okapi Toby has moved to the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee.
Memphis Zoo
Memphis Zoo
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