Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo News 2025

[EagleScout610]

Did a short visit today since it's my last free Monday before classes resume.

Main Zoo

• Finally got to see the Aye Aye. Was beginning to wonder if it had passed away.
• Saw Sinchi, the new Andean Bear. He's a little larger than Pacha and will actually stay still for a second.
• The last exhibit on the top row at PC&A is now empty, as is the 2nd set of Slow Loris exhibits.
• Wondering if they’ve stopped rotating the American Bears, since every time I’ve gone since summer the Grizzlies have been in the exhibit on the right. On another note, I haven’t seen V the American Black Bear since summer, so I’m beginning to wonder if she has passed.

Primate Forest

• The last of the theming has been torn off the front of the building, all that remains are the murals where the Orchid Room and exhibits were. On my last visit some of the temple rockwork could still be seen attached to the wall.
• Trailers and equipment have arrived in the lot where the aluminum plant was.
• Caught a glimpse of one of the Orangutans flipping around the fake tree inside the dome.

 

[forms93]

The Zoo is bringing back their trading cards for 2025!

 

[TigerValley98]

Crews battle fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit This is a developing story.

Fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit | wkyc.com

 

[TigerValley98]

Crews battle fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit This is a developing story.

Fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit | wkyc.com

No animals hurt in fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

 

[EagleScout610]

Crews battle fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit This is a developing story.

Fire at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo's Rainforest exhibit | wkyc.com

That's not a small fire either. Hoping everyone, humans and animals, are ok

 

[Matthew Typpo]

We’re lucky that it happened this early into construction, and I’m happy to hear that everyone is ok.

 

[TheFrogLady]

We’re lucky that it happened this early into construction, and I’m happy to hear that everyone is ok.

Glad that everyone is ok. Hope they can salvage the Rainforest exhibit though. It was one of my favorites at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo.

 

[Matthew Typpo]

Glad that everyone is ok. Hope they can salvage the Rainforest exhibit though. It was one of my favorites at the Cleveland Metropark Zoo.

The salvaging shouldn’t be really difficult since they just finished doing most of the demolition of the area so they can easily remove the damaged structure while their at it, at least once the investigation that is probably going to happen on the structure is done.

 

[TheFrogLady]

The salvaging shouldn’t be really difficult since they just finished doing most of the demolition of the area so they can easily remove the damaged structure while their at it, at least once the investigation that is probably going to happen on the structure is done.

That’s good! If I understand correctly, aren’t they remodeling the building anyways and expanding it?

 

[Matthew Typpo]

That’s good! If I understand correctly, aren’t they remodeling the building anyways and expanding it?

Yes they just tore a bunch off so they can expand Primate Forest on to it

 

[EagleScout610]

That’s good! If I understand correctly, aren’t they remodeling the building anyways and expanding it?

Yes. The area that caught fire was formerly enclosed and recently torn down to make room for the expansion. For reference here's what that spot looked like in November, with the area of the fire being on the far right.

 

[EagleScout610]

https://fox8.com/news/crews-respond-to-fire-at-cleveland-metroparks-zoos-rainforest/

Dr. Kuhar talked about the fire.

 

[EagleScout610]

I noticed in the video Dr. Kuhar did about the fire at the RainForest that "Most of the animals have moved out of the building and a few are still there".

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Glad it did not turn into a disaster and most if not all animals and staff were not affected.

Perhaps, it may even be to the benefit of expediting the renovation process (just wondering and guessing)?

 

[Matthew Typpo]

Glad it did not turn into a disaster and most if not all animals and staff were not affected.

Perhaps, it may even be to the benefit of expediting the renovation process (just wondering and guessing)?

I think one of the articles mentioned that they were going to remove a bunch of the stuff that was damaged before the fire even happened

 

[EagleScout610]

Glad it did not turn into a disaster and most if not all animals and staff were not affected.

Perhaps, it may even be to the benefit of expediting the renovation process (just wondering and guessing)?

From photos I took a few days before and after the fire it seems the dead foliage that was remaining took the brunt of it. Of course thats just guessing on what I can see.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

From photos I took a few days before and after the fire it seems the dead foliage that was remaining took the brunt of it. Of course thats just guessing on what I can see.
View attachment 762903 View attachment 762902

Could they get back some insurance damages money and put it to go use for renovation. I assume the builders/contrators are the ones having to take the financial pill?

 

[USZOOfan42]

Here’s a quote from an article somewhat confirming that the gharials will stay. “The animals that were inside -- including orangutans, frogs, and crocodiles -- were quickly evacuated to a safe location. No animals or firefighters were hurt and the fire was out by 4 p.m.”

 

[EagleScout610]

What caused the fire at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s RainForest exhibit?

 

[Toledo Zoo Guide]

Here’s a quote from an article somewhat confirming that the gharials will stay. “The animals that were inside -- including orangutans, frogs, and crocodiles -- were quickly evacuated to a safe location. No animals or firefighters were hurt and the fire was out by 4 p.m.”

Does that mean the Gharial’s are staying? And if not are there any animals that are able to stay until renovations are completed?