What's happening with this exhibit? Is it still empty since the death of the latest polar bear? Will the zoo attempt to bring another bear in or will there be an African-themed enclosure built? This old grotto is next to Expedition Tanzania and it now seems rather bizarrely situated in the zoo.
What's happening with this exhibit? Is it still empty since the death of the latest polar bear? Will the zoo attempt to bring another bear in or will there be an African-themed enclosure built? This old grotto is next to Expedition Tanzania and it now seems rather bizarrely situated in the zoo.
And are Kobe and Koda Polar Bears? Your sentence doesn't quite make it clear.
Snowleopard- According to Reid Park's news thread, there is a Marabou Stork in part of the exhibit.
After Kobe the female polar bear was transferred out on a breeding recommendation, we received Snow the female polar bear from Sea World Orlando. She had a myriad of health issues and was a non-display animal there. Her skin conditions improved dramatically in our dry air but she had (an undiagnosed) congenital heart defect that caused her death a couple months ago.
Since polar bears are currently hard to come by, the zoo has decided to convert the two sided exhibit for two new species. This is a move I heartily agree with (and in fact suggested in a letter to staff over a year ago). Currently there is a marabou stork in the grassy side and the pool side is empty. Long term there will likely be two different species - I have heard some possible suggestions, but nothing is confirmed yet so I would rather not post speculation.
They were discussed and dismissed. Apparently too many issues with keeping (diseases, etc) and too expensive to put in the kind of filtration system they need. (The one in place now is a very basic sand filter and now really powerful).
