Africa house - soon to be renovated

Former shoebill indoor enclosure in the historical Africa house, which has been home to shoebill, black rhinoceros, pygmy hippo and several free flying bird species. This house will soon be renovated and become a Australia house with kangaroo, monitor lizards and koala.

I didn't know they were renovating this soon, what sort of timeframe is that expected to happen on?

What are the plans for the current inhabitants? I presume they are destined for the extension area, but that won't be ready for a number of years will it? Do they still have Shoebills?

Construction should begin somewhere this year, the freeflying birds are already taken out, the shoebills have left already to Belgium, one of the rhinos left for Rotterdam as well. Construction should be finished in 2017. I do not know if all animals now kept here will eventually return, it is still not completely certain whether they will keep black or white rhino in the Lewa savannah area, although the latest thing I heard mentions black rhinos, but that could still change...

How about the pygmy hippos? They're still there according to Zootierliste, but they don't appear on the most recent zoo map. Can they still be seen?

(I'm going to Switzerland in a month and will be visiting the Basel and Zurich zoos, so I'd like to know what I'll be missing, though missing pygmy hippos won't be a disaster since they also have them at Basel)

The signs are still there for the pygmy hippos, I did not see them however, but that does not mean anything... But on the other hand I would also not be surprised if they leave within the next month....

Btw. I would be happy to accompany you through the Basel Zoo, so just send me a pm if you're interested

What there aren't anymore birds in this house? That's sad, 2 months ago some birds were nesting.
The last thing I heard was that they will get white rhinos for the Savanna (like giraffes, zebras, antelopes and african painted dogs).