North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2024

The new art piece that will go in ASIA has been revealed:
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It is interesting that a White Stork has been chosen. That and the mention of storks instead of cranes in the video from a couple days ago makes me think the species list has changed slightly (unless both cranes and storks are planned which is the best case scenario)
 

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A new video giving a few more details about the zoos future
- It seems like the zoo will be trying to start work on Australia as soon as they can
- The new aviary will be built alongside this new region
- Hotels are very likely in the zoos near future! A couple options are being discussed: A traditional hotel, glamping, or even a resort style hotel overlooking the Watani Grasslands!
 
They recently listed an open position for an animal management supervisor for herps and aquatics that gives a little more detail on what smaller animals to expect from the new Asia section, mentioning multiple turtles and tortoises, vipers, colubrids, more amphibians than just the giant salamanders, and various fish. No individual species listed except ones we already knew about and Chinese crocodile lizards but Asia's herp collection seems like it'll be larger than I expected.
- Animal Management Supervisor Reptiles, Amphibians & Fish
 
That is a really interesting find! Thank you for sharing that. Here is the relevant bit.
This position supervises a staff of Zookeepers that provide care for various species of animals including Komodo dragons, Chinese Alligators, King Cobras, Giant Salamanders, Asian Pit Vipers, Asian colubrids (snakes), Chinese Crocodile Lizards, Crocodile Monitors, multiple aquatic and terrestrial turtle/tortoise species, numerous fish species, and a variety of amphibians.
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At first, I wasn't 100% sure if the job posting was only referring to the Asia complex, as the quoted statement includes language that looks like it may be referring to animals already in the collection (such as giant salamanders as already represented by the hellbender or the zoo already having several turtle, tortoise, amphibian, and fish species).

But when I read this back over and looked a little deeper, yeah, I am pretty confident that this job posting is specifically for and only for the Asia complex. And this posting seems to reveal quite a lot regarding the collection. Assuming this is accurate, it does indeed look like Asia will have a far more substantial collection than what was originally let on.

These 2 statements also stuck out to me as they seem to reinforce the notion that this job position is specifically for Asia.
Develop staff in the areas of animal restraint and management strategies appropriate for Asian reptiles, amphibians, holding facilities and small bird areas as needed.
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May be assigned to work with other animal species in other work units as needed.
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Some thoughts;
  • That species lineup does sound really interesting assuming that is what's actually going on exhibit. This would greatly prop up their reptile and amphibian collection. Assuming, for example, that giant salamander species refers to any of the Asian species, this would give the zoo 2 species of giant salamander.
  • The specifically-named species lineup is also interesting. We are finally getting another crocodilian (and another alligator at that), some lizards, and what looks like multiple venomous snakes. But of course, I can't forget about the multiple aquatic turtle species being mentioned as well. That alone has me hyped.
  • Looks like we are getting more fish species as well. Right now, the zoo has about 17 species on display, all but one of which are in streamside, and I wouldn't consider that collection to be "numerous".
  • The "variety of amphibians" could imply we may be seeing frogs, toads, and even salamanders/newts.
Of course, this is all speculation, as the zoo has not officially revealed the species lineup beyond a few star species. But the fact that this posting is so specific with certain details, mainly being specifically for Asia as well as name-dropping specific species is all really telling.
 
I plan on visiting on Saturday with a short time frame so I plan on visiting only the Africa section, deserts, and rocky coast ( possibly others if I have more time). Is there any closures/ off habitat animals to look out for? Also is there any notable rarities?
 
Rocky Coast is on the exact opposite side of the zoo from Africa, so be prepared to cut your losses on that one if you find yourself short on time. I believe the North American porcupine in that area is still on loan to another zoo. And I think the least common mammals you'll run into, or at least the ones I'd personally be the most eager to see, are going to be the gray mouse lemur and brush-tailed bettong in the desert dome, and the fringe-eared oryx on the savannah. I'm not as well versed in non-mammals, so no advice there.
 
biggest_dreamer said:
Rocky Coast is on the exact opposite side of the zoo from Africa, so be prepared to cut your losses on that one if you find yourself short on time. I believe the North American porcupine in that area is still on loan to another zoo. And I think the least common mammals you'll run into, or at least the ones I'd personally be the most eager to see, are going to be the gray mouse lemur and brush-tailed bettong in the desert dome, and the fringe-eared oryx on the savannah. I'm not as well versed in non-mammals, so no advice there.
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I do plan on walking the whole zoo and skim through the other sections, and if I have extra time try to visit stream side and the swamp areas. I did not realize the desert dome had the bettongs, are they often viewable?
 
USZOOfan42 said:
I plan on visiting on Saturday with a short time frame so I plan on visiting only the Africa section, deserts, and rocky coast ( possibly others if I have more time). Is there any closures/ off habitat animals to look out for? Also is there any notable rarities?
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I do prioritize to see the baboons, puffins, bettongs and elephants.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
I plan on visiting on Saturday with a short time frame so I plan on visiting only the Africa section, deserts, and rocky coast ( possibly others if I have more time). Is there any closures/ off habitat animals to look out for? Also is there any notable rarities?
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biggest_dreamer said:
Rocky Coast is on the exact opposite side of the zoo from Africa, so be prepared to cut your losses on that one if you find yourself short on time.
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Rocky Coast might be doable IF you can catch a timely tram from Junction Plaza to the North American Plaza and walk from there (if you parked at the Africa lot, you can exit through the NA gate and take the shuttle bus to the Africa lot at the end of your visit). Otherwise, as @biggest_dreamer noted, it's quite a bit of distance away from the other stuff you plan to hit up and fitting it into your itinerary might be challenging if you are pressed for time.

The NC Zoo isn't very big on rarities, but notable animals to look out for in the Desert also include Von der decken's Hornbills (who just hatched 6 chicks), a decent Rattlesnake lineup, Desert Pupfish, and various free-flying birds such as Taveta Golden Weaver and Crested Coua.

If you can make it to Rocky Coast, they have one of the largest seabird colonies in the nation, home to Horned Puffins, Parakeet Auklet, and Thick-billed Murre. Their NA Porcupine, Rime, is still on loan at the Elmwood Park Zoo (and I actually got to see her there back in May!) for the time being and I am unsure when she is returning.
 
Astrotom3000 said:
Rocky Coast might be doable IF you can catch a timely tram from Junction Plaza to the North American Plaza and walk from there (if you parked at the Africa lot, you can exit through the NA gate and take the shuttle bus to the Africa lot at the end of your visit). Otherwise, as @biggest_dreamer noted, it's quite a bit of distance away from the other stuff you plan to hit up and fitting it into your itinerary might be challenging if you are pressed for time.

The NC Zoo isn't very big on rarities, but notable animals to look out for in the Desert also include Von der decken's Hornbills (who just hatched 6 chicks), a decent Rattlesnake lineup, Desert Pupfish, and various free-flying birds such as Taveta Golden Weaver and Crested Coua.

If you can make it to Rocky Coast, they have one of the largest seabird colonies in the nation, home to Horned Puffins, Parakeet Auklet, and Thick-billed Murre. Their NA Porcupine, Rime, is still on loan at the Elmwood Park Zoo (and I actually got to see her there back in May!) for the time being and I am unsure when she is returning.
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I do plan on taking the tram across the zoo, I do plan on being able to make it to the rocky coast and possibly streamside or cypress swamp.
 
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