renovated exhibit (still empty)

What was held in here before?

It was originally built (in the 1970's or 80's) for margay which it held for about three decades. When the last one died (and they were phased out of North America) it briefly held raccoon. They even modified it by adding a small pond. The raccoon died after about a year if I remember correctly, the small pond was removed, and it held a porcupine for a few years. A couple years ago the porcupine was moved to the former thick-billed parrot aviary next to the mountain lion exhibit and this exhibit has been empty ever since. (The porcupine died about a year ago and now that exhibit is empty as well).

I should add that I inquired on Facebook what animal will go in here, but the museum replied that they can't say at this time.

@Arizona Docent I wish the Margays were still in there! They are very cute wild cats and have very interesting adaptations. Do you think any more Margays will be imported to the U.S.?

@CheeseChameleon2007 It seems unlikely we will see margays again. There are two very, very old individuals left - assuming they are still alive - both in southern California. One is at Santa Ana Zoo and one is at EFBC's Feline Conservation Center. I did hear an off-hand remark about a year ago from a staff member at Desert Museum that one idea being tossed around for this exhibit is to import a margay from a European zoo. For a cat lover like me that would be a dream come true, but I doubt it will happen.

@Arizona Docent I am so with you. I love cats, like, a lot. I can't even comprehend why I think cats are so fascinating and most of the time, cute. That being said, Its pretty easy to notice how much of a cat lover I am, If you've seen me interact with my pet cats at home. There adorable!