ABQ BioPark Zoo ABQ BioPark Zoo (aka Rio Grande Zoo / Albuquerque Zoo)

This is a good move. The Tropical America building stank horribly. As soon as you entered you were hit with a foul odor and I have actually seen guests walk in the door, take one whiff, and turn around and walk out. Also rainforest monkeys in cement cages (even made to look like cliffs) is not very tropical.
 
And the bandstand is of course a triumphal monument to zoological achievement!Its not too difficult to stop a building smelling you know..and virtually any cage can be easily improved at comparatively little cost.
 
Milwaukee Man said:
Construction will begin next fall on Penguin Chill! :)

Penguins set to come to Albuquerque in 2017 | KRQE News 13

A snack bar and Tropical America building will be demolished to make room for the new exhibit (smart move in my opinion).
Click to expand...

My impression of the Tropical House was that it actually wasn't too bad, with 4-5 primate species and a variety of other animals native to the Americas. Also, the facility had a fairly "jungle-like" appearance and here is a photo from my 2011 visit:

http://www.zoochat.com/941/tropical-america-202275/

Having said that, penguins are zoo superstars and traditionally bring in the crowds in such vast numbers that many zoos in the USA have been "renting" penguins for the summer in temporary exhibits.
 
Anyone have any idea where the younger white rhino female L(o)u L(o)u ended up?

It seems the zoo only has the older female and the White Oak's born bull rhino Chopper?
 
The most important part of the above news link is that it says they added 1400 square feet to the exhibit. This is a most welcome and needed addition indeed.
 
Here is an older article from last October announcing the death of the previous lions. In addition to mentioning the lion expansion (into an adjacent yard), it also says they will build a new jaguar exhibit across from the lions before acquiring new lions. I assume this would be the kangaroo yard (formerly cheetah yard). Does anyone know if this actually happened?
Tigers and bears but no lions (oh my) | Albuquerque Journal
 
Arizona Docent said:
Here is an older article from last October announcing the death of the previous lions. In addition to mentioning the lion expansion (into an adjacent yard), it also says they will build a new jaguar exhibit across from the lions before acquiring new lions. I assume this would be the kangaroo yard (formerly cheetah yard). Does anyone know if this actually happened?
Tigers and bears but no lions (oh my) | Albuquerque Journal
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So progress has begun with this, the new expanded yard (Former Emu exhibit) is under construction for the lions, and the kangaroos are also off exhibit for the other project. The Emus have now been relocated to Australia and are in the old Ankole exhibit which has also been remodeled.
 
Lots of little projects

The Rio Grande Zoo has a lot of little projects going on upon my last visit 7/16/16.

Many of the monkeys have been rotated into different exhibits with the spider monkeys being moved to monkey exhibit near the raptors exhibits, those monkeys (Species slipping my mind) moved to the Howler Monkey exhibit, and Howler monkeys being relocated tot he tropical America Building.

Under the new leadership of the reptile house, a slow shift from snakes to lizards is being seen with an increase of monitors and the new iguanas.

Australia portion now has new Frog-mouths in one of the old kookaburra exhibits as well as royal parrots? in the other. Kookaburras are located in the lorikeet exhibit. The Emus have now been relocated to this area as well in the old ankole cattle exhibit and the kangaroos may be on the way with their yard in predators closed for construction.

Siamang exhibit closed for rewiring after two escapes within 14 month span.

Bobwhite quail added to the Birds of the Americas exhibit.

African Slender snouted Crocodile now on exhibit next to Salt Water croc.
 
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