I'm overdue on this, but here's some updates from my time at the Zoo a couple weeks ago:
- For the first time, I managed to enter through the fairly new West Entry. I know this doesn't sound like anything major, but I'm surprised it took me this long since the area opened back in 2018. While not as grand as entering through the U.S. Bank Gathering Place on the other side of the property, it makes for an attractive first impression in its own way. The architecture is more modern, yet has a bit of a cozy feeling thanks to the choice of colors, and mix of wood and stone making up the structures. It also helps that
Otter Passage (which opened at the same time) is present straight away as opposed to the additional walking to get to the penguins. Maybe it's a staffing or post-Covid issue, but it's a shame that this section is mainly open on extra busy days only.
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Small Mammals Building: Per my visit, this structure was down to the following: a female two-toed sloth, a Prevost's squirrel, cotton top tamarins, a colony of fruit bats, prehensile-tailed porcupines, three-banded armadillos, and fennec foxes. Based on what I overheard from a keeper, I think the foxes may be gone by now - slowly but surely, Milwaukee's once sacred collection of small mammals is dwindling down. I already stated my take a few pages back on this thread, but it's really setting in now that we are down to the last few species. I'm sure there's certain reasons behind it, but I still feel like some of these animals could've been salvaged in one way or another; for example, move the armadillos and sloth to the Primates, or build new mongoose and fox habitats in
Adventure Africa. Someday maybe... To finish off a lighter note, most of the animals were given some Halloween-themed enrichment items. The two fennec foxes stood out the most, arguably the highlight of the day, as they jumped and tore at a head of lettuce that was hanging from a rope, and rummaged through some pumpkin bins for treats!
- African elephants Brittany and Belle seem to be adjusting the loss of their herd mate Ruth, though it was strange to see two pachyderms after a while of having a trio. I'd be intrigued to see how this plays out for the two of them, since Ruth was pretty easy-going around Belle, but Brittany would avoid her at all costs, probably due to intimidation with losing her matriarchal role. The girls were standing at opposite ends of the habitat on my visit, so we'll see...
- There is a net draped over the prairie dog habitat, presumably to keep debris from falling into the habitat, and likely birds from stealing their food.
- Construction: looks like
Adventure Africa: Phase 3 is in the home stretch! The larger black rhino habitat is looking like it will be the strongest of the outdoor displays. Still a bit on the small side for the horned pachyderms in my opinion, but the landscaping looks great, and the concrete pad, whether it's for keeper demos or guest encounters, will surely be popular. I couldn't get a good look at the building after my unexpected sneak peek a few months ago, with the only thing I noticed this time around being a size comparison chart with all the rhino species when one enters the building on the giraffe side.
As mentioned before, the pathway that goes between the rhinos and camels is now open to guests. It was pretty surreal weaving about where Malayan tapirs and Asian black bears once stood!
The landscaping isn't complete yet, with only a stark metal fencing present alongside the trail. Personally, I feel like it should be either replaced with something more lowkey or African-esque (a comment I have for the majority of this complex) or not even be present at all if the surroundings are going to be filled in. I will say though that it was pretty cool to see the doors to the former bear dens - wonder if some signage will eventually be erected.
Finally, the biggest changes are on the side closest to the
Family Farm. Not only is the pathway fully opened again, but one can even see what has become of the old habitats. The red river hogs will still be present in their original space, but all the other elements have been eliminated, leaving only a grassy paddock, a small shade structure in the back, and the mock rock pool in the middle. Even the shaded overlook has been taken away with only a wooden deck remaining. While the hogs do have a little more space, I miss all the other features from the old habitat - the logs, bushes, the small tree added to the habitat, but now there isn't anything. Next door, it's not just rhinos that'll be inhabiting the old elephant/oryx habitat, for zebras will be moving in too much to my surprise! I would imagine the two animals will rotate though, for it's a small space for both species to share. The habitat itself is little more than a grass paddock whose moat was filled in, with the watering hole untouched. I'm wondering if most of the pool was eliminated, then that would offer more space. I do hope these findings are all fixed or addressed eventually, as I'd like for this complex to finish off with a bang after many years. There's still a little more time though as I haven't even heard an opening date yet, so I'll reserve full judgement for when the complex opens in its entirety.
- I saw the 2025 special exhibit "Exploration Dinosaur." Nothing too noteworthy to mention, except I liked some of the new additions that I don't recall seeing in the past, such as Sarcosuchus and Quetzalcoatlus. I do like the temporary dino exhibits, but I wish there was something else added to the formula to spice things up for a change. I remember some years ago there were sandboxes with fake fossils and tents that looked like a paleontologist dig site - that was a nice touch to get the kids involved in both learning and playing. I think it also be cool to integrate some live animals as well. Technically that happened when the Zoo added blue-tongued skink and frilled lizard to the collection earlier this year, but I'm referring to something that would add more incentive to check out that temporary area, like a few small monitors, turtles, or even something bigger like a temporary Komodo dragon or snapping turtle display.
(Thankfully I saw my first badger at the Los Angeles Zoo last year.)
