I finally made it back to Toledo and I have a lot of updates.
The Carnivore Cafe is now fully open, all four entrances are accessible to guests. The cages that formerly held big cats are again available to dine in, and the zoo has purchased all new chairs and tables. The two former restaurants have been walled off and all the informational signage about the history of the building, has been removed. It would appear this building is now being used for guest seating, whether it’s permanent or just for the colder remains to be seen.
Construction behind the Reptile House has begun and all the outdoor exhibits that were behind the Reptile House have been completely removed. I talked with a zoo employee and I was told that the Reptile House will be closing at the end of the year. It will remain that way for a year and a half, as the interior will be getting maintenance new gas and water lines. And I’m sure they will connect it to the new outdoor exhibit. I am hopeful they won’t change too much on the inside as I am a huge fan of the current reptile house layout, bias aside it is my all time favorite Reptile house.
Finally and I am not 100% sure on this but the exhibit that was formerly home to Denda will now be home to the zoos 9 year old male Orangutan Wakil. This is not a confirmation as the Kingdom of the Apes was closed that day so I had to peer through the glass and it looked like Wakil’s name and photo. Again not a confirmation just what I gathered.