Most likely will be Crested capuchins. I’ve see them during my last visit and one of their previous videos made mention of them as well. I can’t wait to see it when it’s all done
Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park Santa Ana Zoo News
- Thread starter Duckbill
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Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
The butterfly exhibit, "Flight -- A Live Butterfly Experience" is now open at the Santa Ana Zoo. Yesterday was my first visit and I was told that the exhibit has had a soft opening this year due to the cooler than average weather. It has only opened in the last week and hasn't been officially announced. The aviary is open until 4 PM and is a wonderful experience with a multitude of colorful butterflies. However, there is no signage as to the specific species exhibited.
According to the City of Santa Ana’s website, construction is set to last until Fall of 2024. Project cost is at $7.4 million. Seems to align with the recent video published in the zoo’s YouTube channel about the construction update for Amazon’s Edge.
Giant River Otter/Primate Trails at the Santa Ana Zoo - City of Santa Ana
Giant River Otter/Primate Trails at the Santa Ana Zoo - City of Santa Ana
Made an short, impromptu visit yesterday, was going OC Zoo as I wanted to photograph the new Jaguar Just some minor updates:
Just some minor updates:- Mentioned earlier in the news thread, there was signage for the new Chinese Alligator habitat coming soon. Appears to be designed by CLR like much of the Zoo’s Master Plan. Will upload photo to show off poster/design.
- Amazon’s Edge still a work in progress. The wire framework for the tree in the primate habitat was taking shape. Shaded structures with new board walk was noticeable.
- Very few species were signed and seen in the Colors of the Amazon aviary. What I can confirm to have seen: Scarlet Ibis, Green Peafowl(possible hybrid?), Western Pond Turtle, Sunbittern.
- Tierra De Las Pampas grassland habitat remained empty. Only the Giant Anteater is present in the habitat across from it.
On their species list from July 2023, they're identified as Javan green peafowl:
https://www.santaanazoo.org/collection2023_2.pdf
The most recent USDA Inspection Report from 5/22/24 identifies them as "Green Peafowl/Indonesian Peafowl (Pavo muticus)".
Thank you for the info!
On July 18th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) dromedary camel named Amina which is on exhibit.
Santa Ana Zoo
Santa Ana Zoo
On August 9th, the zoo announced their ring-tailed lemurs are off display due to ongoing exhibit renovations.
Santa Ana Zoo
Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
This week I visited the Santa Ana Zoo and have the following updates:
- Significant progress has been made on the upcoming River's Edge exhibit, which will feature giant river otters and crested capuchins. Most notably, the large artificial tree that is the focal point of the habitat has been completed.
- A new dromedary camel named Amina is on exhibit with the male Amir. The zoo's Bactrian camel passed away earlier this year.
- Work has begun to upgrade the older primate enclosures one by one. A zookeeper showed me one that has already been dismantled, which had been located next to the golden-headed lion tamarin habitat.
- All of the mountain yellow-legged frogs in the breeding center are in the tadpole stage.
- The Exploration Outpost currently has a very sparse collection of insects, amphibians, and reptiles. Some terrariums are unsigned while others are filled with artificial butterflies and bugs.
- Many cute Halloween decorations are placed throughout the zoo.
Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
A new video has just been posted to the Santa Ana Zoo's YouTube channel showing the latest progress on the upcoming River's Edge exhibit. Apparently, there will be three primate habitats (crested capuchin, spider monkey, and tamarin) besides the giant river otters. No completion date has been given, but substantial progress has been made. The video also shows some of the behind-the-scenes quarters for the animals.
Is the new Masterplan already available? Or are they dealing ATM with an older Masterplan (like for River's Edge exhibitry right now?
My guess is that it is the same from 2018. For what it is worth, a much older master plan that I remember seeing had taxa like Humboldt penguins, Pacaranas, Manatees, and I believe White-lipped peccaries on it, but not this time.
BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
Any new updates on Amazon’s Edge? Might be taking my family to Disneyland this June, as wondering if it will be complete by then in which case I’d love to stop by and give it a check out.
On February 26th, it was announced that the zoo received a critical violation from the USDA due to a (1.0) sun conure going missing on January 21st, as well as a non-critical violation for an observation of a rat running inside the walk-through aviary exhibit.
On March 15th, the zoo announced a good deal of updates to multiple construction projects including*;
River's Edge - Pathways to open in the near future, with the foundations of new enclosures to be completed in April.
Chinese Alligator Exhibit - Fencing is currently being installed with the interior caging waiting to be set up.
Empty Area Near Ocelots - The space is being renovated for a new unspecified species (the zoo says capybaras).
Monkey Row Area - Soil moving began in late March, with the spider monkeys moved behind the scenes.
Pygmy Marmosets - Will inhabit the former skink exhibit (the facility doesn't mention if it's moving into the blue-tongued skink or the prehensile-tailed skink exhibit).
Rain Garden - About 50% done with the rainwater tanks and piping already installed.
New Crosswalk / Pole Fence Projects - A new crosswalk design was finalized, with construction beginning in 2026. The design for the Pole Fence was also completed.
New Education & Community Building - The design of the building was finalized with construction proposals supposedly releasing in March.
Construction Update 3/15/2025 - Santa Ana Zoo
On March 20th, the zoo teased a new frog exhibit in the upcoming River's Edge complex, though it did not give any more specifics.
Santa Ana Zoo
* The zoo also announced there will be new pathways that will "enhance the visitor experiences".
On March 15th, the zoo announced a good deal of updates to multiple construction projects including*;
River's Edge - Pathways to open in the near future, with the foundations of new enclosures to be completed in April.
Chinese Alligator Exhibit - Fencing is currently being installed with the interior caging waiting to be set up.
Empty Area Near Ocelots - The space is being renovated for a new unspecified species (the zoo says capybaras).
Monkey Row Area - Soil moving began in late March, with the spider monkeys moved behind the scenes.
Pygmy Marmosets - Will inhabit the former skink exhibit (the facility doesn't mention if it's moving into the blue-tongued skink or the prehensile-tailed skink exhibit).
Rain Garden - About 50% done with the rainwater tanks and piping already installed.
New Crosswalk / Pole Fence Projects - A new crosswalk design was finalized, with construction beginning in 2026. The design for the Pole Fence was also completed.
New Education & Community Building - The design of the building was finalized with construction proposals supposedly releasing in March.
Construction Update 3/15/2025 - Santa Ana Zoo
On March 20th, the zoo teased a new frog exhibit in the upcoming River's Edge complex, though it did not give any more specifics.
Santa Ana Zoo
* The zoo also announced there will be new pathways that will "enhance the visitor experiences".
peruvianbirdie
Well-Known Member
I recall asking one of the staff awhile back from my first visit about the debut of the Chinese Alligators and the staff member said they might opt for American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) instead. This might be due to lack of availability of the species but of course this was at February so chances for the Chinese Alligators can be high now.
BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
Ngl kind of hope they do go for American Alligators instead just so they could continue the South American theming.
While on the subject, I hope maybe someday (not anytime soon due to finding) they could phase out the camels and use their land to make a nice Jaguar exhibit, imitating either Woodland Park Zoo’s Jaguar exhibit or San Diego’s Leopard exhibits with the bridges. Again, would continue the theming of South American wildlife.
You’d probably like to check out the zoos master plan:
2018 Santa Ana Zoo Master Plan - City of Santa Ana
It proposes moving the camels to the children’s zoo and be replaced by a red panda/muntjac exhibit and butterfly walkthrough. As for the Chinese alligator the zoo is not strictly set on a South American theme. It is more so something they’ve fallen into due to the 50 monkeys rule. The master plan includes exhibits from Africa, North America, and Asia. Plus the new alligator exhibit is located in the children’s zoo which doesn’t really focus on any geographic setting.
BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
I just found the master plan online, it is really gorgeous and very professionally planned out, both from a visitor's enjoyment/amnemities point of view, and from an animal's welfare perspective.
I do have mixed feelings about the species selection though.
Even though sloth bears, red pandas, and bongo antelope are some of my favorite species of all time, I feel they should have just went all out with the South American/Monkey theming. On the zoo's website and on their Google Maps summary it markets itself as a facility specializing in South American wildlife, and I think keeping and expanding on such a theme would have been very interesting (it piqued my family's interest when they read that out loud that's for sure). It makes the zoo seem more exotic and unique in my opinion.
For example, with the land they have they could have gone all-out with South American theming (similar to Bioparc Valencia in Spain going full African themed with nothing but African animals):
- Instead of sloth bears why not go with Andean Bears?
- Instead of red pandas and muntjac deer why not exhibit pudu and coatis? (probably not in the same enclosure)
- Use the land where the bongos would go for two connected rotational jaguar enclosures instead
- Replace the crested porcupine with brazilian porcupine
- Replace the meerkats with a marmoset exhibit, instead of making a themed termite mound play area make a themed tree/monkey play area where kids have to play like a marmoset
- Phase out the bald eagle and exhibit harpy eagles
- Theme their barn after a South American farm
- Implement South American themed plants and architecture throughout the park
- For each species connect them to the overall theme of primates, such as signage near the proposed harpy eagles and jaguars educating guests on how these species hunt monkeys
- Connect to the city's high Hispanic population with signage about South American culture and praising them for their accomplishments like their farming and agricultural industry
- To add to this, signage about saving the environment with information on how farmers and businesses could share the land with their local wildlife, reduce poaching, educate guests on the dangers of the exotic pet trade and how monkeys and jaguars don't make good pets, deforestation, etc.
- If there were the space, consider even adding Giant Galapagos tortoises, or even a small aquarium with South American fish like arapaima, plus a South American reef exhibit, plus Magellanic penguins, perhaps in place of the new camel exhibit
Obviously this is most likely unfeasible, but it just feels like there's so much potential in making an entirely South American themed zoo, especially in an area with such a high population of Hispanics. I'm sure they could still fill their 50 monkeys quota with just South American primates (howlers, spider monkeys, marmosets, squirrel monkeys, multiple tamarin species, pygmy marmosets, multiple capuchin species, saki monkeys, titi monkeys, etc.)
Alternatively, if they want to exhibit large species like sloth bears and bongo, why not just use the large land for more large primates, like a nice orangutan-siamang mixed species exhibit instead of sloth bears (could be connected to the proposed rotational primate exhibits, where they could have other Asian primates like francois langurs, spectacled langurs, gibbons, maybe even obtain a macaque species). And repurpose the land for the bongos for a mixed species mandrill, red-tailed guenon, and red river hog exhibit similar to Bronx's red hog/madrill or San deigo's mandrill/red-tailed guenon exhibits instead? Makes more sense than randomly having sloth bears and bongo.
- Theme the lower half of the park with Pampas and River's Edge after South America
- Theme the upper proposed forest areas after "Primates of the old world" with orangutans, siamangs, gibbons, spectacled langurs, francois langurs, mandrills, red tailed guenon, colobus monkeys and debrazzas in a mixed species exhibit, lemurs in mixed species exhibits, etc.)
- Again, replace the meerkats with marmosets and the crested procupines with brazilian porcupines since they feel so out of place near a pampas and anteater themed exhibits
I know it's just my ocd/perfectionist gettign the better of me, but the proposed theming feels a bit too random and over the place for me. Why exhibit red pandas and muntjac deer across from ocelots? Then lead into a bongo exhibit, then leads to a bald eagle exhibit, then leads to Asian primates and sloth bears? Those are random species from four random continents within feet of one another! Why not switch the proposed red panda exhibit to where the proposed eagle exhibit will supposedly be and vice versa. At least the red panda and muntjac would fit in with the Asian theming, while the bald eagle across from the ocelot could be a mini "Southern American" theme as guests transition up from SA to NA as they find ocelots and eagles in a Texas/Arizona/Mexico themed environment.
Also somewhat disappointed that they want to keep the camels, dromedary camels are a domestic breed and don't really have much conservational purpose compared to exhibiting Bactrians.
And to add further to the monkey theming why make another standard butterfly walk-through when they could be more creative and make a tamarin or squirell monkey or lemur walk-through? It could make the zoo stand out and make it more of a must-see attraction while further exciting guests nad increasing their love of monkeys. They could even sell food guests could feed the monkeys to make some more money on the side.
In general taking advantage of fun theming and modern exhibit trends like the proposed monkey bridges could and should maintain the theme of fun and creativity, all while taking advantage of its nearby proximity to Disneyland and enticing guests to stop by the zoo while they're already in the area.
It sounds like you’re stuck on the idea that a zoo needs to follow an ecoregion layout based on continents. The master plan is based on different habitat regions (riverine, grassland, and forest). And while a solely South American themed zoo may seem interesting, the habitat theme is simply easier to pull off. The South American idea keeps the zoos collection rigid, however the master plan is very fluid. By focusing on broad-reaching habitats it gives the zoo options for the collection, the master plan itself includes lists of alternative species for each exhibit. And keep in mind Santa Ana is trying to get their AZA accreditation, and the most important part of that is demolishing the old monkey row and rehoming those animals. Keep in mind most of the exhibit projects in the first 10 years of the plan are dedicated to primates, whereas the red panda, bear, and tapir projects are in the 10-20 year span. The zoos main focus right now is rehoming their entire primate population (including Asian and African species) to achieve re-accreditation, and the habitat based plan will do that effectively while leaving the zoo open for a wide-range of species.
And keep in mind the zoo administrators, curators, and staff may not want an entire South American collection. Yes, Santa Ana has a large Hispanic population, that doesn’t mean the zoo should comprise of only South American species. It’s important for zoos to reflect their local diaspora and explore conservation stories related to those experiences, but it’s also important to educate people on other parts of the world. And Hispanic people are not one homogeneous group, Santa Ana’s Hispanic population is predominantly Mexican, Salvadorian, and Guatemalan. There is a connection to places like the Pampas and the Amazon through shared heritage and experiences, but local population is not a strong enough reason to devote an entire zoo to South American species.
People like Camels and Butterflies, they are both popular staples at the zoo. Just because they aren’t explicitly linked to conservation doesn’t make them any less important if it gets people thinking about wildlife. And keep in mind new doesn’t always mean good.
The master plan itself is ambitious and includes bringing on quite a few new and impressive species. Santa Ana Zoo would become the first zoo (atleast to my knowledge) in North America to specifically focus on habitats instead of ecoregions. The species selection is fantastic, and will work very well with this zoo. It may not be what you wanted or think is right for the zoo, but it is objectively a great lineup. With Rivers Edge opening up in the next few weeks I am personally excited for the future of the Santa Ana Zoo.
Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
@BenFoxster -- I'm curious whether you have visited the Santa Ana Zoo before or will your pending visit in June be your first time? Your ideas for a South American-themed zoo are definitely interesting and ambitious and you obviously have a great zeal for zoo exhibit planning. However, I generally concur with everything that @Westcoastperson has said in reply.
My first visit to the Santa Ana Zoo was last year and I liked it so well that I decided to take a break from membership at the L.A. Zoo to support Santa Ana instead. My reasons for doing this included many of the things that you mentioned you were not in favor of in terms of the species collection and theming. Specifically, the following animals/areas:
- Crean Family Farm -- The children's zoo has a very well-executed farm area with delightful buildings and a fun assortment of animals. The rides give it a county fair feeling and there is a fantastic new Goat Encounter (the goats have elevated ramps so they can walk above visitors). At a time when the L.A. Zoo has closed its petting zoo and all but abandoned its own children's zoo, I really appreciate the Santa Ana Zoo's ongoing investment in this area.
- Butterfly "Flight" Exhibit -- The butterfly house is easily the best I've been to and is quite a bit larger than the nearest one to Los Angeles at the Natural History Museum.
- Camels -- I'm thrilled that there are camels at the zoo! I rank camels right up there in my top 10 zoo animals and I haven't seen them at the L.A. Zoo since the year 2000.
- Bald Eagle -- Our national bird isn't very accessible for most Americans to see unless you are in certain areas of the country. Also, due to laws preventing bald eagles from being kept in captivity unless they are unable to fly, people aren't likely to see them in zoos. Until six months ago, I had never seen a bald eagle and I'm no spring chicken myself! Spirit, the zoo's eagle, is a gorgeous bird that you can view incredibly close up within only a few feet. If you want to see harpy eagles, there is a good exhibit at the L.A. Zoo.
I hope that you will visit the Santa Ana Zoo and get a chance to go on the rides and see all the animals. It's a charming little zoo that is doing its best to build new exhibits for the local community.
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BenFoxster
Well-Known Member
Don't get me wrong, I love the species selection too, (sloth bears, red pandas, and bongos are some of my personal favorite animals of all time), I was just caught off guard. Like I said, my family was pretty intrigued when they read the zoo's online description of being a " 20-acre zoo focusing on the animals and plants of Central and South America." Whenever I take my family and grand parents to zoos with me they always show a particularly high interest in their Mexiacn wildlife (which usually includes many South American species). Los Angeles' "Rainforest of the Americas" in particular was a strong highlight for them, as I was basically their tour guide telling them about how many of the species like the harpy eagles, jaguars, and tapirs range up into Mexico. My grandparents also adored the San Diego Safari Park's "Condor Ridge." Both exhibits filled them with nostalgia and reminded them of Mexico and Brazil. So I just thought the idea of a South American Zoo with South American architecture might be cute and unique. I don't have any issue with the species selection or whatever decisions the zoo feels would be best for its future.