ABQ BioPark Zoo ABQ BioPark Zoo (aka Rio Grande Zoo / Albuquerque Zoo)

Kinda poor choice of words. Animal lifespans are unpredictable (EEHV or no), and it does kinda read as tone-deaf given the loss of their two calves.
Sorry if my choice of words felt kind of poor to you. They have actually unfortunately lost three calves, not two to EEHV, one in 2015, and two in 2021-22 within a week.
 
On March 16th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2) king penguins named Heart and Tubias/Tubby from the Indianapolis Zoo in Indiana which are now on display in the Penguin Chill area.

ABQ BioPark
 
On April 15th, the zoo announced they hired a new director for the zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens, David Gibson.

Familiar Face Announced as New ABQ BioPark Director — City of Albuquerque

On August 7th, the zoo released its 2023 GRT Annual Report, which announced that the facility built a new bts heated pool for its common hippos, renovated the zoo's restrooms, and added a new electric shuttle for visitors to travel between the Zoo, Aquarium, and Botanical Gardens. It was also announced that Asia will open in Autumn 2023 and Australia Phase 1 (with new exhibits for little penguins and lorikeets) will open in early 2024.

ABQ BioPark - The ABQ BioPark sends our continued...
https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/documents/2023-grt-annual-report.pdf

On April 23rd, the zoo released an updated GRT Facility Plan through 2031 which includes the aforementioned Australia Phase 1 (now opening in early summer 2024) and a new bts area for Mexican grey wolves that will open in late summer 2024. The zoo will also start new renovation projects for its alligator snapping turtle exhibit (larger pool, "more immersive" exhibit, starting summer 2024) and the Catwalk complex (large "flex" habitats with a changed animal lineup, starting late 2024). New exhibits include Australia Phase 2 (which would have kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and wombats) and a new Ambassador Animal Complex.

ABQ BioPark
Bringing the ABQ BioPark Facility Plan to Life

On March 22nd, the zoo announced that a (0.1) common chimpanzee named Zoe was pregnant and is due to give birth within the month of April.

ABQ BioPark
ABQ BioPark’s Zoe the Chimpanzee is Going to be a Mom! — City of Albuquerque

Also on April 23rd, the zoo announced that Zoe did give birth, but the baby did not survive.

ABQ BioPark
 
On April 15th, the zoo announced they hired a new director for the zoo, aquarium, and botanical gardens, David Gibson.

Familiar Face Announced as New ABQ BioPark Director — City of Albuquerque



On April 23rd, the zoo released an updated GRT Facility Plan through 2031 which includes the aforementioned Australia Phase 1 (now opening in early summer 2024) and a new bts area for Mexican grey wolves that will open in late summer 2024. The zoo will also start new renovation projects for its alligator snapping turtle exhibit (larger pool, "more immersive" exhibit, starting summer 2024) and the Catwalk complex (large "flex" habitats with a changed animal lineup, starting late 2024). New exhibits include Australia Phase 2 (which would have kangaroos, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and wombats) and a new Ambassador Animal Complex.

ABQ BioPark
Bringing the ABQ BioPark Facility Plan to Life



Also on April 23rd, the zoo announced that Zoe did give birth, but the baby did not survive.

ABQ BioPark
https://www.cabq.gov/artsculture/biopark/documents/grt-annual-report-2024-_final.pdf

Found a link that didn't redirect to an error page.
 
Piece of April 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On April 11th, it was announced that the zoo acquired 2 Catalina Island rattlesnakes, a grey-banded kingsnake, and a Tamaulipan rock rattlesnake from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/upload...sion-Animal-Transaction-Report-April-2024.pdf

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On May 6th, the zoo announced that they revamped the structures inside the common chimpanzee exhibit in April.

Chimpanzee enrichment project | Makeover alert! Watch to learn about our recently completed enrichment project in our chimpanzee habitat in Africa. These updates allow more... | By ABQ BioParkFacebook

On May 15th, it was reported that the facility opened 2 new electric shuttles in April that allows guests to travel between the zoo and the aquarium/botanical gardens (which takes about 15 minutes).

Full speed ahead for the new electric shuttle at the ABQ BioPark

Western grey kangaroo Hanna has welcomes a joey that has started to come out of the pouch. According to the Biopark, this is the first kangaroo joey since 2013.

ABQ BioPark celebrates the first kangaroo joey at the Zoo since 2013 — City of Albuquerque

On May 24th, the zoo announced that the kangaroo was sexed as (0.1) and named Chloe.

ABQ BioPark

On June 3rd, the zoo announced that their (0.1) African wild dog named Cheza passed away on May 31st at age 11 due to recurring cancer.

Also on June 3rd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) ocelot named Frisco passed away at age 15 due to developing a urinary obstruction which led to irreversible kidney failure. Despite this, the zoo remains hopeful that Frisco's mate Lucy is pregnant (and if she is, the facility could have offspring this summer).

ABQ BioPark
 
Phase one of the new Australia exhibit officially opened today. This consists of two separate exhibits with a focus on birds of the region.
The first exhibit, The Little Blue Penguin exhibit is the remodeled former Seal and sea lion exhibit. This exhibit also features several Australian duck species such as white eyed ducks, and spotted whistling ducks. The exhibit is touted as the largest little blue penguin exhibit in the United States.
the second exhibit is drastically larger lorikeet walk through exhibit which will also allow for visitors to feed them. Red Lory, Coconut Lorikeets, Rainbow Lorikeets, Blue Faced honey-eater, and laughing Kookaburra.
Australian Adventure Takes Flight at ABQ BioPark — City of Albuquerque

On a side note I will work on visiting it sometime this month to post pictures.
 
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