Detroit Zoo Detroit Zoo News 2025

USZOOfan42 said:
This is pure speculation but is it possible the next expansion / renovation is Asia? There are many signs including the arrival of sloth bears in a small habitat, white naped cranes, a new (Asian) vulture exhibit, and a volunteer stating she’s heard rumors of it.
Click to expand...
What Asian vulture species are you alluding to?
 
USZOOfan42 said:
Cinereous Vultures, the zoo currently mixes them with lappet faced.
Click to expand...
Aha, I would say they are Eurasian. For Asian, I was more thinking about the south Asian Subcontinent and hence long-billed vulture Gyps indicus, slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris, white-headed vulture Gyps bengalensis and as a huge rarity red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus. Hence an essentially pan-European and Asian vulture do not come into it....

I would prefer for both vulture species to have their own breeding aviary. I do not think that 2 large territorial vulture species like the cinereous vulture and lappet-faced vulture will not thrive well, let alone get to some desired and good breeding results!
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Aha, I would say they are Eurasian. For Asian, I was more thinking about the south Asian Subcontinent and hence long-billed vulture Gyps indicus, slender-billed vulture Gyps tenuirostris, white-headed vulture Gyps bengalensis and as a huge rarity red-headed vulture Sarcogyps calvus. Hence an essentially pan-European and Asian vulture do not come into it....

I would prefer for both vulture species to have their own breeding aviary. I do not think that 2 large territorial vulture species like the cinereous vulture and lappet-faced vulture will not thrive well, let alone get to some desired and good breeding results!
Click to expand...
The zoo should have 2.2 cinereous and 1.1 lappet faced that somewhat rotate, bts they have an aviary and usually it’s the lappet faced and one pair of cinereous out.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
The zoo should have 2.2 cinereous and 1.1 lappet faced that somewhat rotate, bts they have an aviary and usually it’s the lappet faced and one pair of cinereous out.
Click to expand...
Detroit Zoo has a breeding success with the cinerous vulture in the recent past. Unfortunately, the male of the breeding pair passed away in 2023. The female has been repaired with another male. The zoo also have indeed another pair on loan from another zoo (which also happened not too long ago either)!

I am not familiar with lappet-faced vulture being on site right now. The historical record shows that they did have a wild born pair in the past, but both have since died. This pair bred ..., however all their hatchlings died first day of hatching.
 
Rip Max the macaw. Given my report from my last trip last year that she was sluggish and unresponsive on her perch compared to how she used to say hi to everyone, I'm sadly not surprised.
Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Max, a beloved, 36-year-old green-winged macaw who called the Detroit Zoo home for more than a decade. Max was a cherished member of the Detroit Zoo family since 2011. She played an instrumental part in educating and engaging guests with her vibrant personality and captivating vocalizations, eventually becoming an ambassador for macaw conservation and highlighting the struggles that many macaw species face in the wild, particularly due to the pet trade. Max also thrived in training sessions and developed special bonds over the years with her dedicated animal care team, and she will be remembered by all who had the privilege of meeting her. Max's intelligence, charm and connections she made with our guests will never be forgotten. Our animal care team is devastated by her loss, and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts as they navigate this difficult time."
 
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
Rip Max the macaw. Given my report from my last trip last year that she was sluggish and unresponsive on her perch compared to how she used to say hi to everyone, I'm sadly not surprised.
Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the sad news of the passing of Max, a beloved, 36-year-old green-winged macaw who called the Detroit Zoo home for more than a decade. Max was a cherished member of the Detroit Zoo family since 2011. She played an instrumental part in educating and engaging guests with her vibrant personality and captivating vocalizations, eventually becoming an ambassador for macaw conservation and highlighting the struggles that many macaw species face in the wild, particularly due to the pet trade. Max also thrived in training sessions and developed special bonds over the years with her dedicated animal care team, and she will be remembered by all who had the privilege of meeting her. Max's intelligence, charm and connections she made with our guests will never be forgotten. Our animal care team is devastated by her loss, and we ask you to keep them in your thoughts as they navigate this difficult time."
Click to expand...
Real shame. Seems we will get more macaws on habitat though, with the renovation in place. May she rest in peace.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
Real shame. Seems we will get more macaws on habitat though, with the renovation in place. May she rest in peace.
Click to expand...
Now after some thought, she was probably on “hospice” when I last visited. With solair’s passing and now this hopefully this doesn’t turn into an empty habitat. I still wonder if we will see a replacement for Solair. A recent USDA report lists two other macaws too.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
Now after some thought, she was probably on “hospice” when I last visited. With solair’s passing and now this hopefully this doesn’t turn into an empty habitat. I still wonder if we will see a replacement for Solair. A recent USDA report lists two other macaws too.
Click to expand...
Yes, I do hope they get some macaws on exhibit and perhaps even create some potential breeding pairs. Would be nice to link up with some in situ restoration projects?!!!
 
Few things I’ve noticed based off the website that wasn’t previously listed:
• Bald Eagles are off habitat (can confirm based off previous visit)
• Vultures are shown on the map in the flamingo and eland habitats.
• Giant Anteaters are on exhibit in the aardvark habitat. They are only on exhibit until the zoo “opens up for the season” in which the aardvarks will regain their place.
 
Few things to note from a visit today:
• There’s a new macaw on exhibit named tuki, she’s a blue and gold macaw
• The Jamaican boa exhibit is on construction
• Ape habitat construction is almost finished, a lot of climbing features
• There is a new dart frog exhibit on construction in NACC
• 1.1 white naped cranes, 0.0.1Turkey vulture, 0.0.2 sandhill cranes, 0.1 greater rhea can all be seen bts at the flamingo exhibit, a keeper said bush dogs can also be seen
• It seems the zoo is trying to breed their giraffes, pairs were kept separate
• All birds were on exhibit
• Both mousebird and rock python exhibits remain unchanged
• All of the African lions are now mixed
 
Last edited:
Decided to look at the collection as listed by their latest USDA inspection report from the end of last year. Spotted some interesting things:
* A pair of bush dogs has been here since at least December.
* The unsigned "mystery bird" that I suspected was perhaps a tanager hybrid that I reported on my last visit is actually a crimson-backed tanager. The only other facility outside Colombia I can find that has/had this species is the Dallas Zoo, so this is a rarity!
* Large groups of Seba's short-tailed bats and Jamaican fruit bats behind the scenes, likely holdover from the Bat Zone. This is also where I suspect their southern flying squirrels to come from.
* They also have a pair of budgies.
* Squirrel monkeys are gone.
 
Honestly it’s a shame they decided not to keep the squirrel monkeys, Detroit could really use a New World monkey.
 
Rip AJ, who was the oldest living tree kangaroo when he passed.
Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of A.J., a beloved Matschie’s tree-kangaroo, who was compassionately euthanized earlier this month. A.J. was a cherished member of the Detroit Zoo family for more than 17 years, and at the time of his passing, he was 23 years old -making him the oldest known living Matschie’s tree kangaroo in the world. Born in January 2002, A.J. touched the hearts of many caregivers and volunteers who had the privilege of working with him. Known for his curious and sassy personality, A.J. loved to munch on flowers, enjoy snacks and play with his favorite enrichment items. His caretakers fondly recall making birthday cakes from his favorite foods, and how he loved watching the world go by from his high perch in the trees. In recent years, A.J. spent much of his time behind the scenes, providing him with a calm and quiet environment, to best support his needs. Throughout his life, our team worked tirelessly to ensure A.J. received the best care, adjusting his environment and diet to keep him comfortable in his later years. Please keep the staff who cared for A.J. in your thoughts as we celebrate his long and meaningful life."
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top