Thanks for posting! The trio of primate exhibits (Hamadryas baboons and geladas) on the right-hand side have the potential to be spectacular; the Madagascar and West African Forests seem to not have been altered that much from the original plans; and the penguin/shark exhibits will be interesting. My fingers are crossed that it all opens by early July as I've planned an 18 day zoo trip of California that will see me hopefully visit at least 45 different zoos and aquariums. For example, the state has lots of aquariums (around 20) and most are fairly small and easily toured in an hour by a solo individual. I am desperate for Africa Rocks to open by then so that I can tour the $70 million complex directly after it opens to the public.
Thanks for posting! The trio of primate exhibits (Hamadryas baboons and geladas) on the right-hand side have the potential to be spectacular; the Madagascar and West African Forests seem to not have been altered that much from the original plans; and the penguin/shark exhibits will be interesting. My fingers are crossed that it all opens by early July as I've planned an 18 day zoo trip of California that will see me hopefully visit at least 45 different zoos and aquariums. For example, the state has lots of aquariums (around 20) and most are fairly small and easily toured in an hour by a solo individual. I am desperate for Africa Rocks to open by then so that I can tour the $70 million complex directly after it opens to the public.
Not to be the Debbie Downer, but the cutting out of aye-ayes from the plan is highly disappointing. Also, leopard and ratel and vervet monkey are interesting species choices, considering that there are not captive breeding populations for these? (Unless they put Amur leopards there, which seems rather silly). The addition of geladas will be neat though, and the penguin-shark combo is very cool.
leopard are interesting species choice, considering that there are not captive breeding populations for these? (Unless they put Amur leopards there, which seems rather silly).
It most likely will be an Amur leopard in a African based habitat. that would be enough to call it a African leopard. (unless they get extremely lucky and find a Real African leopard.)
Not to be the Debbie Downer, but the cutting out of aye-ayes from the plan is highly disappointing. Also, leopard and ratel and vervet monkey are interesting species choices, considering that there are not captive breeding populations for these? (Unless they put Amur leopards there, which seems rather silly). The addition of geladas will be neat though, and the penguin-shark combo is very cool.
Agreed on the aye ayes, as well as any other species that may have been in the nocturnal building. I heard gray/grey (whichever) mouse lemurs were on the plan at one point.
Since the zoo imported 0.2 Amur leopard from France, the leopard exhibit in AR was split. Amurs will move to AR for a breeding setup.
Ratels are listed as not recommended for management, but it seems they are here to stay. Some are in non-AZA zoos. If new imports occur the population would be viable, but right now they can go either way. If they do get phased out eventually, I wonder what will go in their exhibit.
As of the 2008 Old World Primate TAG RCP, vervets are on their way in. San Diego already holds (and is breeding) South African vervet. According to the comments on this photo Columbus has quite a few vervets as well.
Despite all the cuts, I can't wait for the exhibit to open.
@ctfctf7: if you are referring to the plaza in between the penguins and the rest of the complex, then it is the Hunte Building.
As a cat fanatic I would love to see a true African leopard as well. This will not happen and I hope most ZooChatters understand we do not represent the general public and to them a leopard is a leopard. Some zoos in the USA already have Amur leopards in an African exhibit (Palm Desert is a good example).
I am glad everyone's favorite trip thread poster (Snowleopard) has publicly announced his summer 2017 plans (which I have privately known about for a few weeks). I hope to join him in July at two or three points on his journey, SD being one of them. Since we have some other very active forum members in San Diego, maybe we can finally do the USA meetup that has never worked in the past.
As a cat fanatic I would love to see a true African leopard as well. This will not happen and I hope most ZooChatters understand we do not represent the general public and to them a leopard is a leopard. Some zoos in the USA already have Amur leopards in an African exhibit (Palm Desert is a good example).
I am glad everyone's favorite trip thread poster (Snowleopard) has publicly announced his summer 2017 plans (which I have privately known about for a few weeks). I hope to join him in July at two or three points on his journey, SD being one of them. Since we have some other very active forum members in San Diego, maybe we can finally do the USA meetup that has never worked in the past.
