San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2025

RJB Wildlife said:
A couple updates from the Zoo:
- The Meerkat habitat is currently undergoing a renovation. The guest boundary is being completely demolished at the moment.
- There are no plans to replace the demolished Aye-Aye habitats.
- Silvered Leaf Langurs appear to be off habitat and have been removed from the apps map.
- The Polar Bear pool is being drained weekly in order to keep the water clear. Underwater viewing is abysmal at the moment.
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Yeah, the Meerkats could definitely use a renovation.
 
A new herd of Visayan Warty Pig females (0.4) has moved in to one of the habitats previously housing Bontebok, just up the hill from Polar Bears. They have been living out of (easy) public view near the takin behind skyfari. Yesterday was their first day in their new digs and there was a privacy screen up. They did install a new grate all across the front. I was told that the plan is to bring in a breeding male for them at some point.
 
ZooGirlSD said:
A new herd of Visayan Warty Pig females (0.4) has moved in to one of the habitats previously housing Bontebok, just up the hill from Polar Bears. They have been living out of (easy) public view near the takin behind skyfari. Yesterday was their first day in their new digs and there was a privacy screen up. They did install a new grate all across the front. I was told that the plan is to bring in a breeding male for them at some point.
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Seeing the pigs, fishing cats, maned wolf and devils back at the zoo (or public display) is realy making me happy, I missed them so much! It's great to see animals like the pigs come back to what seemed a permanent off-display exhibit back to public display, and this could also be a sign for the takins/kiwis/tutuaras/aye-ayes making a return to a public display. Thanks @ZooGirlSD for the news!
 
ZooGirlSD said:
I was told that the plan is to bring in a breeding male for them at some point.
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Hopefully sooner than later, the population is small and pretty much all of the youngest animals are from the same pair at San Diego.

Panda_Fan said:
and this could also be a sign for the takins/kiwis/tutuaras/aye-ayes making a return to a public display.
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I'm not sure that the tuatara were ever on display at San Diego, and at which point I doubt they would be going forwards. Wouldn't hold my breath on the kiwi and Aye-ayes either. To that end, the four species that have returned had exhibits ready and waiting that had previously housed them (pigs aside, but that exhibit didn't need much to house them.) The kiwi, tuatara, and aye-aye would need something new entirely, which does not appear to be the zoo's focus right now.
 
Great Argus said:
I'm not sure that the tuatara were ever on display at San Diego, and at which point I doubt they would be going forwards. Wouldn't hold my breath on the kiwi and Aye-ayes either. To that end, the four species that have returned had exhibits ready and waiting that had previously housed them (pigs aside, but that exhibit didn't need much to house them.) The kiwi, tuatara, and aye-aye would need something new entirely, which does not appear to be the zoo's focus right now.
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If the San Diego Zoo ever had tuataras on display it has not been for many decades. They used to have a graphic up that said basically "we have these cool animals called tuataras, but you can't see them", but that went away too when they rebuilt Reptile Mesa.

Does the zoo still have aye-ayes? They were never functionally on exhibit, even though they technically were.

Still waiting for the new kiwi house that they promised when they knocked down the existing one to build Africa Rocks...
 
Great Argus said:
Hopefully sooner than later, the population is small and pretty much all of the youngest animals are from the same pair at San Diego.



I'm not sure that the tuatara were ever on display at San Diego, and at which point I doubt they would be going forwards. Wouldn't hold my breath on the kiwi and Aye-ayes either. To that end, the four species that have returned had exhibits ready and waiting that had previously housed them (pigs aside, but that exhibit didn't need much to house them.) The kiwi, tuatara, and aye-aye would need something new entirely, which does not appear to be the zoo's focus right now.
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My apologies, I thought they had them at display a very long time ago.
 
I visited the Zoo today and saw the new Visayan Warty Pigs and they seem to be adjusting well to their new habitat. The privacy screen has been removed. Here is a photo of their signage and you can see the new fencing that runs the length of the front of the habitat. IMG_6994.jpeg
 

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I did see the new female Maned Wolf out on habitat- she also has access to the back and has been a bit shy but I was told that she is adjusting really well. Her name is Cora and she was born in 2017 at Louisville Zoo. I was told that there is a male who has been chosen as a future mate for her, but the zoo where he is located wants to find a replacement before sending him to San Diego. FullSizeRender.jpeg
 

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bleunicorn said:
I have a couple questions - I hope it's not too much of a bother! Please let me know if this isn't the right place.

What the typical sources are for learning news about the zoo, other than direct communications from San Diego Zoo accounts/publications? Mainly specific information about individual animals and their exhibits. I'm always amazed at all the info people have to share, but no idea how I can be "in-the-know!"

Is this also the appropriate thread for Safari Park news? I didn't see a separate thread but maybe I just missed it.

Lastly, if anyone can share information on the black-billed magpie that was taken off exhibit near the polar bears, I would greatly appreciate it. I hope he is ok and will be back on exhibit, even if it's in a different area of the zoo. Searching for info on him is actually what led me to discovering ZooChat!

Thanks everyone. :)
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Rico the Magpie sadly passed away in November. He was quite old, and a favorite with the staff and locals. According to one of his keepers, he was moved to bird holding around Halloween time, as his eyesight wasn’t good, and some of the holiday lighting was bothering him. A few weeks after his move, it was noticed that he was having difficulty flying. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with
 
solanaskyes said:
Rico the Magpie sadly passed away in November. He was quite old, and a favorite with the staff and locals. According to one of his keepers, he was moved to bird holding around Halloween time, as his eyesight wasn’t good, and some of the holiday lighting was bothering him. A few weeks after his move, it was noticed that he was having difficulty flying. He was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with Aspergillosis. The decision was made to euthanize him.
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Timed out on the editing.
 
A couple updates from the Zoo:
- Updates to the Meerkat habitat continue with what appears to be glass viewing areas and new rock work.
- New Guinea Stick Insects are now exhibited on the lower level of Spineless Marvels where the cockroaches were, which have since been moved upstairs and replaced the Giant Malaysian Leaf Insects.
- The new Male Maned Wolf, Rio, arrived Yesterday and is behind the habitat.
- The Polar Bear Plunge filtration pumps are being repaired and the pool is being drained every Monday.
 
RJB Wildlife said:
A couple updates from the Zoo:
- Updates to the Meerkat habitat continue with what appears to be glass viewing areas and new rock work.
- New Guinea Stick Insects are now exhibited on the lower level of Spineless Marvels where the cockroaches were, which have since been moved upstairs and replaced the Giant Malaysian Leaf Insects.
- The new Male Maned Wolf, Rio, arrived Yesterday and is behind the habitat.
- The Polar Bear Plunge filtration pumps are being repaired and the pool is being drained every Monday.
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What have they done with the former coconut crab space in the invert house? Is it still empty? Last time I was there last fall they were talking about putting toads in there.
 
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