I wouldn’t blame you if you did. I do think the zoo should release their master plan or even share some information about their future sooner than later. Most information of their future (this is only from staff and 1 budget analysis) are from contracting and budget reports. That’s terrible from an investors standpoint.
Hopefully they’re replaced with another, equally cool ungulate (or multiple species thereof). I do have faith in the current director for this.
I would guess it'll be released within a few years or less of the official opening of the Discovery Trails. Although with the sloth bear and the Asian cranes, it seems like she's already moving in that direction. My guess is we will get some of those exhibits, likely a handful of the big name species, and some of the small ones. They'll likely open it in sections, is my guess.
Do we know how many hoofed animals the exhibit can accommodate considering outdoor space and indoor/off-exhibit holding? There's plenty of antelope or gazelle to chose from, although I think there's risks with keeping different species of spiral horned antelope together for breeding reasons (if I remember right, I may be wrong). A female ostrich would be nice for a comparison to the male, if he can handle living with another ostrich after what he's been through.
I’m actually not sure how many individual ungulates it can hold. Don’t think they’ve ever had more than 3 eland in there at once though I may be wrong. I know lesser kudu were also formerly kept in there but I’m not sure how many they had at once.
Weren't some of the fallow deer in this enclosure alongside the elands? They were definitely kept somewhere in the Africa area.
They were everywhere after the closure of Belle isle’s deer exhibit during the pandemic. I believe 4-5 habitats held them; with the last ones passing away 2-3 years ago, before discovery trails started construction.
I believe there were several fallow deer in that exhibit. I want to say when they had lesser kudu they had three to four animals, I'm leaning towards four because I remember at least two males and a female, and I feel like they had one more.
I know nothing on any more domestic species, and I doubt we will see pigs, as they are not friendly in a petting zoo setting. Sheep may be included but time will tell. As for non domestics, I have heard there may be a capybara exhibit according to a volunteer. I doubt that though, as I think there would of been some sort of announcement of an animal of that caliber.
Maybe with the $6,000,000 dollar donation it could happen? I'm still hoping that tropical building, I think it was you that mentioned it, happens. Although they could just use the 6 million dollars to go towards the bill of the current project instead of adding something new.
I reported on last visit that there were way more from SeaWorld.
I wonder what changes will be made to Africa.
Likely just an overhaul; but construction for a new giraffe habitat should soon (according to contracting info), meaning it could be sooner than we think. I am guessing some sort of overhaul of the habitats for better viewing and spaces. I think we will see the arrival of new species, and some departures of current ones. Probably more primates and a "merger" of the two regions. Long as we keep zebras, the new crowned lemur, and aardvarks, I'm happy
What new law?
They are Polar Bears by the way.
https://michiganadvance.com/2025/10...nt-as-citations-hamper-zoo-breeding-programs/