Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2025

They have had Red-tailed Black Cockatoo since at least 2022, and I believe some time prior.
I first saw the cockatoos in the binturong roundhouse in September 2021. That was shortly after it reopened since being closed for over a year due to COVID restrictions. The Bornean crested fireback pheasant is also in that roundhouse and Sep. '21 was the last time I saw the female. It would be great if the zoo could find a mate for the remaining male. That pheasant has a great personality and is really beautiful!
 
The USDA has provided additional information regarding the death of a female kookaburra in November 2024 which was noted in the December 2024 Animal Transactions report. Per their report for an inspection on February 4, 2025, she died as a result of an injury sustained in a suspected predator attack.
 

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The USDA has provided additional information regarding the death of a female kookaburra in November 2024 which was noted in the December 2024 Animal Transactions report. Per their report for an inspection on February 4, 2025, she died as a result of an injury sustained in a suspected predator attack.
That is a very interesting report about the kookaburra. I wonder if the bird was in the regular exhibit by the Australia House or somewhere behind the scenes. It's strange to think of a predator that could pull off part of a wing by reaching through a mesh enclosure with only one-inch square openings. I've attached a photo of the enclosure for those who are unfamiliar with it.
Kookaburra Aviary - Lori Lee Patton.JPG
 

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Few Updates:
-Trumpeter Swan and Pink's Dog is still under Construction.
-I asked staff that on less busy days, the Safari Shuttles are electric-powered carts and long train Electric-powered Shuttles are used on Busy Day and they are planning to slowly phase out the Nostalgic Animal-themed Safari Shuttles, the Zebra one is gone and the Cheetah one is moved to the off-site yard which is sad for us who grew up riding on them.
 
A few updates from my visits this week:
  • The cape vultures are already displaying nesting behavior. A nest was present on top of their rock wall.
  • As @Elena previously stated: our new male Jaguar, Sonríes, is out in exhibit. Was told by that plan is to have him alternate exhibit time with Johar our resident female. His name means “smile” in Spanish.
  • The swan lake habitat appears to be nearing completion. Their pool was being filled during my last 2 visits. Still fenced off.
 
A few updates from my visits this week:
  • The cape vultures are already displaying nesting behavior. A nest was present on top of their rock wall.
  • As @Elena previously stated: our new male Jaguar, Sonríes, is out in exhibit. Was told by that plan is to have him alternate exhibit time with Johar our resident female. His name means “smile” in Spanish.
  • The swan lake habitat appears to be nearing completion. Their pool was being filled during my last 2 visits. Still fenced off.
I observed the Cape Vulture Nesting, although the pair might be two males, from what I've been told by staff. But it seems the Vultures like their new habitat would motivate them to breed and have Vulture Chicks born at the Zoo.
 
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