Roger Williams Park Zoo Roger Williams Park Zoo News 2025

Zoofan15 said:
1.1 red panda were born July 4:

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Zoo officials said the kits were born on July 4, marking the first successful birth of red panda kits in the zoo's history.

The kits, one male and one female, were born to Zan and Kendji, Roger Williams Park Zoo said.
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They have received the names of KATARA and SOKKA.
Roger Williams Park Zoo on Instagram: " Our red panda kits have names! Introducing Katara (1st) and Sokka (2nd) ❤️ Inspired by the iconic brother–sister duo from Avatar: The Last Airbender! These tiny siblings are already showing big personalities, and we can’t wait to share more of their journey as they continue to grow. "
 
Updates from visit on November 2nd, 2025
  • There were a lot more keepers/volunteers in the Faces of the Rainforest exhibit (5+), is there an event?
  • Giant otters were off exhibit but I saw an individual from the small entrance into BTS
  • Inside the tamandua enclosure, the tamandua was very active, and I didn't see the toucan but a Blue-throated Piping-Guan (Pipile cumanensis) was added back (not free-roaming anymore after the incident)
  • In the World of Adaptations exhibit, the African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) were put on exhibit recently but I didn't see any individuals (there is also viewing into the behind the scenes space with another cage behind the rat enclosure)
  • I overheard volunteers (maybe a keeper) about another big cat enclosure being added, either lions at the African savanna exhibit or Jaguars for Faces of the Rainforest (like in the masterplan)
 
MOG2012 said:
In the World of Adaptations exhibit, the African Giant Pouched Rat (Cricetomys gambianus) were put on exhibit recently but I didn't see any individuals (there is also viewing into the behind the scenes space with another cage behind the rat enclosure)
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Did you happen to take a picture of the signage?
 
There is now a second barn owl in the enclosure at the farmyard.

Two new male red-necked wallabies have joined zoo's mob. There are now five of them.

Sage, one of the two female yellow-rumped caciques, has passed away. Leopold, the golden lion tamarin born in the spring of 2024, also recently died.

The newish eastern rosella has passed away, leaving the other rosella, a longtime resident of the zoo, once again alone.

The keel-billed toucans have returned to their mixed-species enclosure after being behind-the-scenes these past few months for breeding. Monster the blue-throated piping guan was on exhibit with them, which I was personally very happy about. He might just be my favorite animal at the zoo.

The Bali mynas have been moved to (an)other zoo(s).

The female boat-billed heron will soon be moving to another zoo as well, if she hasn't already. In her place are two males of the same species.
 
I have some questions regarding the Zoo;
  • What is being built & what was demolished near the savanna area? How much space is being taken up?
  • Is there any space and are they building the pinipped & shorebird aviary from the old masterplan of the Zoo near the penguin enclosure?
  • In the education center near the adaptations exhibit, is it the old one (if so, what will be there), or the newly built one?
  • What is the easiest way to view the pouched rats? I didn't see them during my last visit.
  • Where and how large are the old Faces of the Rainforest / Tropical America building?
  • Where was the moose & grizzly bear enclosure going to be built in the masterplan?
  • Are there any major changes that are going to happen to the Zoo (or plans)?
 
MOG2012 said:
I have some questions regarding the Zoo;
  • What is being built & what was demolished near the savanna area? How much space is being taken up?
  • Is there any space and are they building the pinipped & shorebird aviary from the old masterplan of the Zoo near the penguin enclosure?
  • In the education center near the adaptations exhibit, is it the old one (if so, what will be there), or the newly built one?
  • What is the easiest way to view the pouched rats? I didn't see them during my last visit.
  • Where and how large are the old Faces of the Rainforest / Tropical America building?
  • Where was the moose & grizzly bear enclosure going to be built in the masterplan?
  • Are there any major changes that are going to happen to the Zoo (or plans)?
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Additionally, what fish are in the unsigned tank next to the piranhas in Faces of the Rainforest?
 
MOG2012 asked: Additionally, what fish are in the unsigned tank next to the piranhas in Faces of the Rainforest?
not sure of exact species but as of 11/28/25
Freshwater Angelfish
Twig Catfish
Cory Catfish sp.
Bleeding-heart Tetra
Rummy-nose Tetra
A Suckermouth Catfish sp. (Black with white spots)
A tiny catfish sp. possibly another Cory sp.
 
MOG2012 said:
  • What is the easiest way to view the pouched rats? I didn't see them during my last visit.
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If you read through USDA reports from this year, they had a lot of issues with their pouched rats and lost 2 of them to heat stroke this summer. They may be revamping things or holding their remaining ones off habitat for now.

From the report: "Keeper staff found 2 giant pouched rats deceased in their enclosures on Wednesday morning 6/25/25; the other two giant pouched rats housed in separate enclosures in the same room appeared normal. The Providence area was experiencing a multi-day period of temperatures and/or heat index values in the 90’s to 100 that began several days prior. Zoo management sent out messages to all keeper staff by email and by radio communication to follow the extreme temperature written guidelines for each building housing animals that the staff are to follow during those conditions.

"Zoo management determined not all of the additional measures that the keepers should have implemented on Tuesday 6/24/25 were done to alleviate the impact of the high temperatures on the giant pouched rats. The presumptive cause of death of the two rats was exposure to high temperatures according to veterinary staff."
 
wild boar said:
Monster the blue-throated piping guan was on exhibit with them, which I was personally very happy about. He might just be my favorite animal at the zoo.
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I was wondering about that. I don’t think he has signage there.
 
CMTM said:
I believe those should be Ancistrus dolichopterus
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May I ask what you are basing that off of? Do you have inside info? I'm not saying you're wrong but looking at pictures online don't quite match. I think it looks more like the Snowball Pleco based on size of spots but I only saw the tail end.
 
I have yet to see the Pouched Rats after several visits over the past few months. I do believe they are in the exhibit as you can see things chewed on etc. They are probably nocturnal and are hiding while we are there. Personally, I think the exhibit is horrible. There is nothing natural in the exhibit and it is opened to the bts areas which may make them skitish and if they prefer the dark the exhibit is not designed for that. I have been hoping to encounter a worker to find out when a time is that they may be visible, but no luck so far.
 
Birdlover said:
May I ask what you are basing that off of? Do you have inside info? I'm not saying you're wrong but looking at pictures online don't quite match. I think it looks more like the Snowball Pleco based on size of spots but I only saw the tail end.
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The exhibit was modeled off of Project Piaba, an organization that promotes a sustainable ornamental fishery based around the Rio Negro in Brazil. Dolichopterus is sort of the go-to pleco species for these exhibits (lots of zoos and aquariums have piaba tanks so there's sort of a stocking plan for institutions to follow). Hypancistrus inspector is also from that area and is sometimes used in these displays, but is significantly more costly to obtain. My guess was that they'd take the less expensive route like most places, but that was admittedly presumptuous of me.
 
FERNANDO the male Giant Otter has passed away at the age of 11 (he was considered as geriatric at this age)
Roger Williams Park Zoo on Instagram: "Our Zoo is heartbroken as we share the loss of beloved giant otter, Fernando. At 11 years old, Fernando was considered geriatric, as giant otters typically live 10-13 years. Fernando arrived at the Zoo with an old, orthopedic injury that healed abnormally in one of his hind legs. Over time, the injury led to arthritis and an altered gait, which placed undue stress on his feet. These factors resulted in pododermatitis, a painful inflammation of the skin and deeper tissues of the foot. The pododermatitis was well managed for years thanks to multimodal medical management and the diligent care of his incredible keepers. When his arthritis and pododermatitis worsened a year ago, our veterinary care team employed groundbreaking stem cell therapy to extend his comfort and mobility for another 11 months. Our vet department partnered with Michigan State University to develop a stem cell line from a sample of Fernando’s body fat to help treat his arthritis and pododermatitis. These stem cells were injected into Fernando's bloodstream. Treatment was successful and temporarily helped reduce inflammation and alleviate some of the weight-bearing issues, improving quality of life. Fernando received a recheck last Wednesday that confirmed the condition of his feet and ankle had worsened. Ultimately, it was determined that there were no further effective treatment options, and our team made the compassionate decision to euthanize Fernando. Fernando and his older brother, Romo, have lived here since 2018 and are both staff favorites. His big personality always shined through, especially when he was swimming and playing, often showing off to guests with his lively antics. Animal care is closely monitoring Romo as he adjusts to the absence of his brother and companion. Fernando will be so missed by all who knew and loved him."
 
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