The new Madagascar exhibit is a 1.5 million dollar (USD) project, that is the first major step in the zoo's 13 million dollar master plan. It's also the largest capital improvement in the zoo's 115 year history.
Could you give us a review of this zoo, red? It looks like a nice little zoo that is working hard to modernize. This Madagascar exhibit looks like a nice start.
Review of Current Zoo
The Brandywine Zoo is Delaware's only AZA accredited zoo and one of the smallest AZA accredited zoos. The first exhibit is an excellent exhibit an the hillside for two Andean Condors. There's a pool and lots of rock and shrubbery for them and it looks very natural. After this there are two side-by-side, mesh-enclosed exhibits, the first has a Bobcat and the second has a North American Porcupine. These are pretty average exhibits. After this, there is an artificial hive for Italian Bees. Next are three side-by-side exhibits, separated by stone walls. In order, these contain Himalayan Red Pandas, a Sandhill Crane, and a Serval. These exhibits aren't very natural and the pandas and Servals could use a bit more space. Next are two more side-by-side exhibits. They house two Golden Lion Tamarins and two (mother and son) White-faced Sakis. I like that the zoo kept some tamarins after the Exotic Animal House was destroyed by a fallen tree, since Callitrichids are what their known for (the Exotic Animal House had 24 of 7 species), however these two habitats are the zoo's weakness. They're rather small and have concrete floors. After those exhibits is Reptiles of Oceania, viewing windows into three terrariums that have a Green Tree Python, two Solomon Islands Skinks, and 3? Mossy New Caledonian Geckos. There is a nice educational mural to compliment these exhibits. Up ahead is a small aviary that housed the flock of guineafowl before the construction of the Madagascar exhibit was done. I suspect that with the large perches that were recently placed, it will have macaws while construction is underway for their new exhibit. There are two more small, side-by-side aviaries. One is empty and the other has two Burrowing Owls. Across the path is the Barnyard, a petting area for Goats and Chickens. There's a window to look into their indoor barn. A nicely landscaped aviary named Eagle Ridge is next. It houses two or three Bald Eagles and 2 Common Ravens. Up ahead is the South America aviary that contains a flock of Scarlet Ibises and a Capybara. The final exhibit is the new Madagascar exhibit. It is built on the site of the former Goat yard, macaw exhibit, Capybara exhibit, and Llama/rhea exhibit, all of which were outdated. As you can see, this is an excellent exhibit with glass window viewing. The residents are 3.0 Ring-tailed Lemurs from the Bronx Zoo, 2.1 Black-and-white Ruffed Lemurs from the Duke Lemur Center, a breeding pair of Crowned Lemurs from the Duke Lemur Center (not on exhibit yet), two Radiated Tortoises, and a flock of five Helmeted Guineafowl. Overall Brandywine is a pretty outdated and small zoo, although that will be changing over the coming years per the zoo's 2016 master plan.
Master Plan
The Brandywine Zoo's master plan is a major overhaul and expansion of the zoo that will separate it into six geographically-themed areas (except for the herpetarium). I will write a species list below for each exhibit and any additional information that I happen to know about them. South America:
Chilean Flamingo, Hoffmann's Two-toed Sloth, Southern Pudu, Sun Parakeet, Blue-and-yellow Macaw, White-faced Whistling-Duck (currently behind-the-scenes), and an unspecified turtle species. I imagine that the Scarlet Ibises may be included as well. Guests will be able to feed the flamingos. This will be located before entrance and will be completed in 2022.
Andean Condor (current exhibit)
Jaguar
Capybara
"Callitrichids." I assume the Golden Lion Tamarins will be in this exhibit, since they already have some. It will actually be two exhibits connected by an ariel tunnel, similar to Zoo360 at Philadelphia Zoo. Herpetarium:
Tree Pangolin. This one is iffy and may not actually happen. If so, I believe it will be in an outdoor yard next to the herpetarium.
Komodo Dragon. Indoor/outdoor exhibit.
The rest is unknown, however it's safe to say that the reptiles from Reptiles of Oceania will be included. Madgascar:
Obviously already built and the species were stated above. North America:
North American River Otter. This exhibit will have a slide for guests to slide through the exhibit.
Bald Eagle. Possibly ravens, as well.
Canada Lynx Asia:
Snow Leopard
Markhor. Rotating between two exhibits with the Snow Leopards.
Siamang
Himalayan Red Panda
Sloth Bear Africa:
Red River Hog, Bat-eared Fox
Spotted Hyena
Mantled Guereza, Cape Porcupine
Here's a link to the plan from 2016. Some things have changed http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/parks...posed-Illustrative-Plan-Animal-Collection.pdf
