Still under construction, visited a few days ago.
Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2025
- Thread starter Elena
- Start date
The Cape Vulture exhibit is set to debut on Thursday, February 6th! Link is to zoo press release 
A NEW HOME FOR CAPE VULTURES OPENS AT THE L.A. ZOO - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A NEW HOME FOR CAPE VULTURES OPENS AT THE L.A. ZOO - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
It looks like a really good exhibit, it kept repeatedly getting delayed over and over again, but I am so glad to see that this long-awaited exhibit is finally finished.The Cape Vulture exhibit is set to debut on Thursday, February 6th! Link is to zoo press release
A NEW HOME FOR CAPE VULTURES OPENS AT THE L.A. ZOO - Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
I’ve been awaiting for this exhibit for years, finally excited to see it this week! And at the perfect time as my fiancé will be flying in next weekend so I’ll be much eager to take her to see it
A very nice new and fitting exhibit for the Cape Vulture!
How many of their Cape Vultures will call this place their home?
What number of breeding pairs do they hold now?
How many of their Cape Vultures will call this place their home?
What number of breeding pairs do they hold now?
It looks like there is a committee of 7 vultures to be part of this new exhibit. As for breeding pairs, I’m too sure but I know they’ve bred this specie in the past so there’s hope we may get chicks!
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I had a look earlier this morning - it is actually 4:25am here (and I must go into work not much later - and in 2022/23 they held 4.6 vultures in 2023. Whereas at least 3 different pairs had bred in the past ..., from what I garner right now from all the info I poses they had not for a few years. Most of their birds are now still young (2010 onwards, with several others a little older ... and one that was part of the original import from South Africa and part of one of their original breeding pairs).
Yet, I seem to remember from some of the monthly reports that come out regularly and are - so regularly - posted here thanks to our LA Zoo regulars ... I thought I had seen that they may have had more recent breeding success or more - perhaps - changes within their Cape vulture group. Must check over the entire 2022-2025 monthlies .... soon!
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Well, there is a GIANT role screaming for PUBLIC AWARENESS. Zoos are definitely in a position along with natural history collections what we have lost in the name of "economic growth" and "human progress" ... (call that what you will).
I was there for a Staff Preview on Tuesday, so far the Cape Vultures were quite bold and inquisitive with the People, they were actively interacting with each other and using every part of the Habitat, for example, a pair of them on the cliffs already filled with their feces were building a nest and hopefully, we'll have some Vulture Chicks.
The Viewing area is great with an African-style theme with signage and glass viewing with black dots since Birds can't see glass although the vultures were picking on the sealants and the staff is aware of that and will fix it.
For the landscaping of the Vulture area, it seems the Zoo is continuing its trend of replacing chain-link fences with wooden stick-pole fencing other than the Vultures, but also the Gerenuks, Bongos/Duikers, the entrance to the African Small Animals Roundhouse, and the bridge to the Orangutans and Elephants. There are new plants alongside new benches, trash and recycle bins, and signage for the mentioned animals above. The Gerenuks, Duikers, and Bongos are back and the entrance area to the Roundhouse was under construction when I was there, but would be back with the Return of the Von Der Decken's Hornbills and Turacos.
The Viewing area is great with an African-style theme with signage and glass viewing with black dots since Birds can't see glass although the vultures were picking on the sealants and the staff is aware of that and will fix it.
For the landscaping of the Vulture area, it seems the Zoo is continuing its trend of replacing chain-link fences with wooden stick-pole fencing other than the Vultures, but also the Gerenuks, Bongos/Duikers, the entrance to the African Small Animals Roundhouse, and the bridge to the Orangutans and Elephants. There are new plants alongside new benches, trash and recycle bins, and signage for the mentioned animals above. The Gerenuks, Duikers, and Bongos are back and the entrance area to the Roundhouse was under construction when I was there, but would be back with the Return of the Von Der Decken's Hornbills and Turacos.
Visited today during a break in the rain and it’s great. Want to echo Thomas’ observation about how active the vultures are. I don’t know if this is novelty, the “winter” weather, or normal for the species but it was quite fun. They’re very social.
Added a few photos to the gallery
Added a few photos to the gallery
I was told by the staff that the winter climate here is similar to the Southern African climate in winter which these birds are from.
Lori Patton
Well-Known Member
@jpc323 -- Were you able to go into the roundhouse by the vultures that has been inaccessible for the past couple years? It used to hold a black duiker, Von der Decken's hornbill, and Lady Ross's turacos. Also, the zoo has updated its map on the website and lists Pink's Hot Dogs where the Gorilla Grill was located. Did you see if Pink's was open?
The roundhouse that’s close to the aviary has new signage up for Von Der Decken’s Hornbill, Abyssinian Ground Hornbill, and a Southern Pudu. I can confirm I see the first 2 in the exhibit.
Got to the zoo pretty early yesterday that it was basically me and zoo staff at the exhibit 
I loved it, especially that they refurbished and renovated an old exhibit into a new one. The style to the habitat is simple and appears to meet the needs of the vultures. I’m hopeful for the swan lake opening hopefully soon. A project like this one I truly love, not having to be a massive multi-species exhibit complex which I do love quite a few! But seeing this new exhibit dedicated to a single species and one that’s not the most popular is something I certainly enjoy. Definitely recommend coming during the rainy weather, less crowds and more time with the birds.
I loved it, especially that they refurbished and renovated an old exhibit into a new one. The style to the habitat is simple and appears to meet the needs of the vultures. I’m hopeful for the swan lake opening hopefully soon. A project like this one I truly love, not having to be a massive multi-species exhibit complex which I do love quite a few! But seeing this new exhibit dedicated to a single species and one that’s not the most popular is something I certainly enjoy. Definitely recommend coming during the rainy weather, less crowds and more time with the birds.
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@Julio, too right and I do believe the Cape vultures will replay LA Zoo visiting public and members a new look at vultures within the ecosystem (an African counterpart to the local Californian resident iconic birds of prey ... Californian condors most handsomely!Got to the zoo pretty early yesterday that it was basically me and zoo staff at the exhibit
The fact that the first birds seem to have already started courting, pairing up and nest-building just proces the new exhibit is also well received by the birds themselves and re-start a new era of Cape vulture breeding at the LA Zoo. I would also love to see an in situ component starting with zoos in South Africa and the ex situ in range conservation recovery project (several birds from the US have already been sent to the off-site breeding facility close to one of the natural colonies' of Cape vultures - which is managed by a private conservation NGO and a few very inspired conservationists... -!!!