Detroit Zoo Detroit Zoo News 2025

MIZOOenthusiast070128 said:
A new crane exhibit would be nice in the Asia section. I suspect the new exhibit in the African birds are with the flamingos will be for crowned cranes, but could be something else.
Click to expand...
The new exhibit is for rheas and sandhill cranes. I also forgot to mention a few other things
  • There is a new habitat being redone in the NACC. it is the former smooth sided toad exhibit.
  • There also might be capybaras and sloths in discovery trails! A volunteer stated both might be added to add for "appealing" species for children.
  • I believe all bats are gone, as I have not seen them since October.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
The new exhibit is for rheas and sandhill cranes. I also forgot to mention a few other things
  • There is a new habitat being redone in the NACC. it is the former smooth sided toad exhibit.
  • There also might be capybaras and sloths in discovery trails! A volunteer stated both might be added to add for "appealing" species for children.
  • I believe all bats are gone, as I have not seen them since October.
Click to expand...
I wonder if the crane and Rhea exhibit will remain once the current Rhea, Ethel, dies. She's very old, unless I'm mistaken. I love sandhill cranes, but seems like a waste to split that exhibit just for sandhill cranes.

Yeah, I loved the bats, nice but if extra variety to the collection. Maybe the bats are gone because they're converting the Penguinarium into a bat house? Quite a stretch, I'm sure.

I wonder where the sloths and capybara would go? Anteater exhibit might get crowded with giant anteaters and capybaras, although they were together for a short period years ago. I hope they're not gonna replace the giant anteaters with capybaras. Exciting news though!!
 
The zoo just posted a video with an interview of a nocturnal zookeeper and it showed a video of bats, and she talked about taking care of bats so maybe they are still there. I think the sloth shown was the old one though, so maybe the footage is old, but it seems weird that they would bring up bats in a new interview and post the video if they don't have them anymore.
 
MIZOOenthusiast070128 said:
The zoo just posted a video with an interview of a nocturnal zookeeper and it showed a video of bats, and she talked about taking care of bats so maybe they are still there. I think the sloth shown was the old one though, so maybe the footage is old, but it seems weird that they would bring up bats in a new interview and post the video if they don't have them anymore.
Click to expand...
The zoo's sloth, Homer has been at the zoo for 17 years I think. I saw him last week. I think they probably still have the bats as they are still signed and shown in the video. In the video, the bats were shown in an area not scene from the glass.
 
Went today.
New on the completed:
* You are now told to be quiet and walk slowly during the butterfly-aviary transition, and further signage pointing out the need for quiet and slow movements has been posted around Tuki the macaw. Seems she's having trouble getting used to the place and noisy children.
* According to a volunteer, there is a "sparrow" (presumably house) in the Aviary, but it isn't signed as you will hardly ever see it and it isn't even supposed to be there. Notheless, it has moved in and won't leave the building. Also FYI there is a apparently a non-zero-percent chance of one of the laughingthrushes landing on you - he does not know fear.
* Significantly more chinstraps than before, according to another volunteer "from Texas".
* Swamp monkeys and Schmidt's guenons are currently on rotation (saw the latter)
* Again zero mousebirds in The Hideaway. Exhibit's all set up for birds with enrichment and everything, but no birds in there.
* Pelican/tortoise/stork habitat had a lot of very specifically juvenile black-crowned night herons in it. They could be wild, but the fact that they were just flocking with the storks, not leaving, and were all youngsters makes me wonder about the possibility of new unsigned rescues.

News on Discovery Trails construction (as seen by train from Africa to the front; excellent view):
* Canopy Trail is almost done it looks like, pending its pinwheel-like decorations only. Towers over the construction fence and is easily visible from the camels. Very tall.
* Gathering Pavillion is close to done, again at least in structure.
* Stingray building coming along nicely.
* Very large, suspicious pile of dirt/sand, looks very diggable. We may have had our first prairie dog steps.
* Quite a bit of mock rock near the back, probably future anteater/bush dog stuff.
* Old barn seems to be being kept. They are instead building new, much larger pastures around it, with maybe 60% complete. They are also building a second, smaller barn, probably animals/staff only. It's all almost a dead ringer to the concept art I posted of the area a while back, same fence pattern and appearance.

Unlike previous delays, I truly think Discovery Trails is going to open on time.
 
Last edited:
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
Significantly more chinstraps than before, according to another volunteer "from Texas".
Click to expand...
Should be sea world San Antonio, likely as a result of the SWC closure.
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
Swamp monkeys and Schmidt's guenons are currently on rotation (saw the latter)
Click to expand...
They weren’t on rotation on Wednesday, but this could of changed.
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
Again zero mousebirds in The Hideaway. Exhibit's all set up for birds with enrichment and everything, but no birds in there.
Click to expand...
last Wednesday they had birds, they have been on exhibit since June.
AlmightyKingPrawn said:
Stingray building coming along nicely.
Click to expand...
did you see a tank?
Thanks for the updates. Bush dogs are currently held in the animal hospital and the reptile house is currently receiving roof work, for a more “green house look”. There are now six aardvarks at the zoo, 1.3.2.
 
The zoo has made their second construction update for discovery trails on their socials. Today, they announced it will open in 2026 along with many other things. The new stingray building, called “Stingray Cove” ;) will feature southern stingrays, cownose rays, crabs, and bamboo sharks. There may also be more species to come. They also announced the “Senses Trail” and “Base Camp Giftshop” which both will not include species, catered towards families. The previous announcement showed off the barnyard (goats, alpacas, sheep, chickens, donkeys, pigs and more), the canopy trail and the gathering pavilion. The end of the video hinted at what’s next, stating it will be the biggest announcement yet with much information not known by the public. The website lists bush dogs and anteaters, a farmers market, and mosaic plaza. There might also be building for some smaller species according to a keeper, (sloths, bats, tamarins, amazon fish, inverts) I’ve also heard the bush dogs might have underwater viewing! Discovery Trails - Detroit Zoo
 
USZOOfan42 said:
The zoo has made their second construction update for discovery trails on their socials. Today, they announced it will open in 2026 along with many other things. The new stingray building, called “Stingray Cove” ;) will feature southern stingrays, cownose rays, crabs, and bamboo sharks. There may also be more species to come. They also announced the “Senses Trail” and “Base Camp Giftshop” which both will not include species, catered towards families. The previous announcement showed off the barnyard (goats, alpacas, sheep, chickens, donkeys, pigs and more), the canopy trail and the gathering pavilion. The end of the video hinted at what’s next, stating it will be the biggest announcement yet with much information not known by the public. The website lists bush dogs and anteaters, a farmers market, and mosaic plaza. There might also be building for some smaller species according to a keeper, (sloths, bats, tamarins, amazon fish, inverts) I’ve also heard the bush dogs might have underwater viewing! Discovery Trails - Detroit Zoo
Click to expand...
Here’s hoping that Neotropical building becomes a reality, would be great to finally have a New World monkey at the zoo!
 
USZOOfan42 said:
The zoo has made their second construction update for discovery trails on their socials. Today, they announced it will open in 2026 along with many other things. The new stingray building, called “Stingray Cove” ;) will feature southern stingrays, cownose rays, crabs, and bamboo sharks. There may also be more species to come. They also announced the “Senses Trail” and “Base Camp Giftshop” which both will not include species, catered towards families. The previous announcement showed off the barnyard (goats, alpacas, sheep, chickens, donkeys, pigs and more), the canopy trail and the gathering pavilion. The end of the video hinted at what’s next, stating it will be the biggest announcement yet with much information not known by the public. The website lists bush dogs and anteaters, a farmers market, and mosaic plaza. There might also be building for some smaller species according to a keeper, (sloths, bats, tamarins, amazon fish, inverts) I’ve also heard the bush dogs might have underwater viewing! Discovery Trails - Detroit Zoo
Click to expand...
I wonder if that's maybe why we haven't seen the bats? I'm not sure where they would fit this neotropical building with the plans I've seen. I also must have missed that they will have pigs (and others). When did they announce this? Do we know what the other domestics might be? Where did they say they would have crabs? Horseshoe crabs?
 
MIZOOenthusiast070128 said:
I wonder if that's maybe why we haven't seen the bats? I'm not sure where they would fit this neotropical building with the plans I've seen. I also must have missed that they will have pigs (and others). When did they announce this? Do we know what the other domestics might be? Where did they say they would have crabs? Horseshoe crabs?
Click to expand...
I have no idea on the building, mind you this is all from volunteers and plans could fall through. All the species I listed are options, and the zoo would only choose 2-3 species along with indoor viewing for anteaters. They announced the domestics in june I believe. Crabs are shown in the concept art.
 
I made the wrong assumption of what the stingray building was lol. But yeah, you can see a lot of the progress I saw on the train here, including the towering canopy trail that, again, is visible from the camels. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: " Discovery Trails Update: New Features Unveiled! Opening in 2026, Discovery Trails continues to take shape — and in this update, we’re unveiling even more brand-new features coming to the Detroit Zoo. Here’s what else you'll experience: • Get ready to feed and interact with stingrays and bamboo sharks in the incredible Stingray Cove aquatic habitat • Enjoy the Senses Trail, a playful path where kids and families can use sight, sound, smell and touch to connect with the natural world • Grab a souvenir, get your face painted or transform into your favorite animal with fun costumes at Base Camp We’re laying the foundation for something bigger than ever before — and there’s still more to come! Stay tuned for even more exclusive previews of Discovery Trails. #DetroitZoo #DiscoveryTrails #ZooConstructionUpdate #ComingSoon"
 
Ray concept art BTW
Stingray-Cove_080425_with-vignette.png
 
Chimpanzee infant named:

The female chimpanzee born July 4 has been named ‘Nakili’, a Swahili name meaning ‘copy’.

From socials:

Meet Nakili, pronounced (Nah-key-lee), which means “a copy” or “to copy” in Swahili. This name was chosen by our zookeepers as they felt it was very fitting because Nakili is a perfect little copy of her Mother, Nyani, who is also a twin.
 
According to a volunteer (and keeper 2 years ago), the next plan in the upcoming master plan aside from smaller developments (new entrance and giraffe exhibit) it seems we will see a “Malayan Temple” and “Asia” areas with proposed species being the following:
• Orangutan Species
• Asian Small Clawed Otters
• Gibbon Species
• Malayan Tapirs
• Tree Kangaroos (im so hopeful :D)
• New Sloth Bear exhibit
• Francois Langur
• Various avian species (notably fruit bats, rhinoceros hornbills, waterfowl, and more)
• Various Herps and Aquatics
• Clouded Leopards
• New White Naped Crane Exhibit
• New Vulture and White Stork aviary
• “Mixed Hoofstock Exhibit” (possibly 3 separate exhibits)
According to the volunteer, we can expect the zoo to phases out Bactrian Camels, and the White Lipped Deer. The African monkeys may also move. The exhibit is expected to take up the camels, vultures, red panda picnic site, “behind the scene space” and the seasonal area for dinosaurs. It will range from the small snack area near the otters all the way to the gorillas; hopefully sooner than later. This plan was an idea of the director’s since she started in Detroit according to a keeper. I am hopeful we can see this plan meet the light of day.
 
USZOOfan42 said:
According to a volunteer (and keeper 2 years ago), the next plan in the upcoming master plan aside from smaller developments (new entrance and giraffe exhibit) it seems we will see a “Malayan Temple” and “Asia” areas with proposed species being the following:
• Orangutan Species
• Asian Small Clawed Otters
• Gibbon Species
• Malayan Tapirs
• Tree Kangaroos (im so hopeful :D)
• New Sloth Bear exhibit
• Francois Langur
• Various avian species (notably fruit bats, rhinoceros hornbills, waterfowl, and more)
• Various Herps and Aquatics
• Clouded Leopards
• New White Naped Crane Exhibit
• New Vulture and White Stork aviary
• “Mixed Hoofstock Exhibit” (possibly 3 separate exhibits)
According to the volunteer, we can expect the zoo to phases out Bactrian Camels, and the White Lipped Deer. The African monkeys may also move. The exhibit is expected to take up the camels, vultures, red panda picnic site, “behind the scene space” and the seasonal area for dinosaurs. It will range from the small snack area near the otters all the way to the gorillas; hopefully sooner than later. This plan was an idea of the director’s since she started in Detroit according to a keeper. I am hopeful we can see this plan meet the light of day.
Click to expand...
By no means am I doubting you at all, but it would be great if the zoo actually released some official news about these plans instead of just leaving us to go off various whispers from staff. Hopefully eventually they do!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top