Also, this is one of the smallest elephant exhibits in North America. There is barely any shade for the two elephants, and the surrounding enclosures at this zoo aren't much better.
The pachyderms are next to get new and improved exhibits. However, only the new hippo exhibit (with underwater viewing) is confirmed, though construction hasn't even started yet. I just hope the elephant exhibit will be something special.
The pachyderms are next to get new and improved exhibits. However, only the new hippo exhibit (with underwater viewing) is confirmed, though construction hasn't even started yet. I just hope the elephant exhibit will be something special.
Other than the mere mention of improved exhibits for pachyderms, there's no timeline or any info on the zoo website. I only know this info from the Zoological Society of Milwaukee website when the new hippo exhibit was announced in there.
I visited this zoo 3 years ago and it still has what may well be the absolute smallest, arguably worst elephant exhibit of any AZA-accredited institution. The new AZA laws regarding a minimum of 3 elephants take effect in 3 more years and what exactly does Milwaukee County Zoo have planned? If they moderately expand the enclosure in order to accommodate a third elephant then that would be a joke as they should either fundraise for a huge, multi-acre, modern elephant habitat or get out of the elephant business altogether. The knock on Milwaukee is that it was a great zoo in the 1970's and at times it seems as if very little has changed since then. The zoological wave of improved exhibits bypassed Wisconsin!
According to TeamTapir's info from his trip, the elephants are the biggest focus of the next master plan; they will either stay or leave. However, we won't know until about September because that is about when master plan details will be released.
Personally, I feel that the zoo should send Brittany and Ruth (our two elephants) away temporarily, and then bring them back when a brand-new habitat is built. The reason I feel this way is because the Zoo wouldn't have to worry about rushing a new exhibit to be built in two years before the AZA deadline and possibly end up with a habitat that wouldn't be as great as the desired product; there is no way our current exhibit can hold three even it is only for a brief time anyway. We have a history with elephants (including holding the world's 4th oldest African elephant at the time, until her death in 2006), and it would be great if they could stay.
Also, if Milwaukee were to get of its elephant program, there won't be a whole lot of elephant habitats left in the Midwest. Niabi is closing its habitat soon, Brookfield and Henry Doorly won't bring elephants back for a while yet, and the next closest to Milwaukee would then be Indianapolis and St. Louis.
I feel Milwaukee is starting to make a small comeback (a few new species added, black bear exhibit renovations) after a decade of little to no movement, and a new elephant habitat seems like the perfect first step.
I plan on visiting sometime in the next week, so I'll try to see what the buzz is so far.
We think it would be best for Milwaukee to not bring back its elephants ! Use that area to focus more on Rhinos and Hippos.Like Snowleopard has eluded to there is alot that can be upgraded at Milwaukee and upgaded elephants would be very expensive and take much needed money away from other much needed projects.At one time elephant expansion in Milwaukee was a done deal however now we believe its 50/50 at best and we think MCZ officails can see this too.The Pachyderm keeper we spoke to certainly noted that under no circumstances would elephants remain in the existing exhibit and the keeper was no doubt torn whether or not to expand or ship out !
The Philadelphia zoo sent its elephants to the International Conservation Center "temporarily." At least until officials decided spatial and monetary constraints outweighed the benefits of bringing their females back. The two Milwaukee girls could easily go to the ICC upon completion of its cow/calf barn at the end of this year... or the NEC.
