Assiniboine Park Zoo Assiniboine Park Zoo News 2024

BovidBabe

BovidBabe

Well-Known Member
Today, Fiona the sichuan takin was humanely euthanized due to progressing arthritis. A sad loss to start the year for sure. She was one of my favourite residents, and is my current profile photo.

Other minor news that has happened so far:
  • The zoo was closed for their annual maintenance from January 8th - 20th.
  • The zoo received a large donation that allowed them to purchase a new x-ray machine. The first patient was Padme the black tree monitor who is a part of a behind the scenes breeding program.
  • Maavi the baby white-handed gibbon is growing well.
 
Finally after months of not going - I got a zoo day in! Lots of things to note. First off, the zoo's social media has been incredibly active as of Janurary. Very exciting to see!

Grassland and Boreal Forest - New signs for the three habitats, rather than swapping out the big signs and having them be incorrect as different species are shifted around, they've added to the signage! I've never been so happy to see it, haha. Will toss some photos in the gallery later. Poor Bear the wolf - he looks so small in that habitat all by himself.

Kinsmen Discovery Center - The Patagonian Maras (moved from Toucan Ridge) were in where the tortoises used to be, and the tortoises are with the woylie and the tawny frogmouths. The free flying bird room has some beautiful new plants, no doubt from The Leaf.

Toucan ridge - The Toco toucan/Mara habitat is still actively under construction. The glass goes much higher now. However, Chimichanga the toco toucan is still not on display! Seems a little silly not to have Toucan Ridge's namesake away for so long. However, that makes me wonder if that is where our future lemurs from Toronto will go. I also believe the Red-winged parrots are new, but I am not 100% sure on that.

Animals of Asia - Most excitingly, the steller's sea eagles were sitting on a nest. Did get to see tiny Maavi the white handed gibbon. Looking forward to seeing Hoot mix in with the bunch. The emu exhibit has signage up indicating that construction will be happening. The emus have been moved to the exhibit across from Toucan Ridge's entrance.

Misc - Looks like animatronic dinosaurs are out and animatronic giant bugs are in this summer. Xtreme Bugs and Defenses of the Animal Kingdom are this summer's rotating exhibits.

Lots of other things going on now that the snow is nearly gone. Looking forward to what this spring will bring!
 
No!!!. He's the reason I decided to look into the zoo in the first place! Also you mentioned a behind the scenes breeding program?
 
antilio capra said:
No!!!. He's the reason I decided to look into the zoo in the first place! Also you mentioned a behind the scenes breeding program?
Click to expand...

As per their social media, they have a black tree monitor breeding program behind the scenes. I am sure there are others, but the zoo is not as vocal about them! One of their most critical bts breeding programs is the Poweshiek Skipperling, which they have an article about here.

They participate in 30 SSPs/EEPs but I couldn't honestly name any outside the obvious (Red panda, snow leopard, white handed gibbon, ect.) I may do some further research into that when I have time to spare! I do have an ongoing list of named individuals, and do intend on getting more detailed with my notes. Stay tuned :)
 
Piece of November/December 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On November 18th, it was mentioned that the zoo acquired a (0.1) red panda named Mei Mei from the Greater Vancouver Zoo in British Columbia*.

On December 11th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (1.0) red panda named Suva from The Toronto Zoo in Ontario.

Toronto Zoo on Instagram: "Red Panda Update In the coming weeks, we will be saying farewell and hello to some red panda residents. Paprika will be departing this week to Greater Vancouver Zoo as an SSP breeding recommendation. Suva will be departing in the coming weeks to Assiniboine Park & Zoo as an SSP breeding recommendation. Sakura, a 10-year-old female from Greater Vancouver Zoo. Sakura will call the Toronto Zoo home ahead of and during a new red panda habitat renovation in the coming years. Although saying goodbye can be tough (for guests, members, volunteers, and staff alike), animal departures represent a key element in the cooperative aspect of the zoo's work. As an AZA-accredited facility, #YourTorontoZoo actively works with other facilities to connect the animals in our care with their larger populations. We know we can't do it alone! By working together, zoos are able to maximize the wellbeing of our individual animals AND maintain healthy, sustainable populations for the future. This paired commitment to individual wellbeing and survival of populations drives the comings and goings from the Zoo. A lot of preparation goes into transporting animals, including training with their Keepers, behind-the-scenes work from our Animal Logistics coordinator (including permits and transportation bookings), medical examinations from our Wildlife Health team, and more. And despite extensive preparations, sometimes travel plans can change suddenly and unexpectedly! We will keep everyone posted when you can say hello to Sakura "

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On May 8th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) red panda named Kelly from Zoo de Granby in Quebec.

Zoo de Granby

* Information given by @Cheetah on the Greater Vancouver Zoo News thread (Page 10 Post #199).
 
Smaggledagle said:
On May 8th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) red panda named Kelly from Zoo de Granby in Quebec.
Click to expand...
Most likely, Kelly, the male red panda is going to be paired with Tanvi the female red panda. I am hoping for some red panda cubs in Winnipeg. Sadly Kelly wasn't the mate that Crimson(female red panda at Granby) liked.
 
Last edited:
It was a cold, rainy, and windy morning, but I still made it to the zoo today! They had some pride activities and enrichment. A few things of note:

Toucan ridge - Bragin the ocelot's old habitat has been turned into the Toco Toucan's new habitat. Chimichanga is no longer present, but they have a female named Cici. I overheard volunteer chatter about bringing a new male toucan in, but take that with a grain of salt. Construction is still underway on the old toucan and mara exhibit. Not sure how new this is or I just missed it on my last run, but netting protecting the roof's windows have been put up, preventing birds from perching there. See below, the spoonbill in the background is no longer able to perch there. I imagine it's to help keep the building cleaner, as it mustn't be easy to clean the poop there, but it did seem like there were less visible birds.
full


Grassland and Boreal Forest - Construction is underway at the Bison snack shack. They also happened to be celebrating Bizhew the lynx's birthday today.

Animals of Asia - The herd of yaks have gone from three to four! Not sure when the new individual arrived, but they looked like a juvenile. Got to see young Maavi the gibbon playing away from mom.

Open Range - The mountain goats have moved into the rocky exhibit in the open range! So much better than a flat grass enclosure. Didn't get to see them using it as they were napping, but still exciting. Pronghorns are also off exhibit for the time.

New pictures will be uploaded to the gallery soon!
 
According to the website there are two new species:Venezuelan Troupial and Blue Billed Currasow. Have they posted are spoke of this on anywhere? (Other than the website?)
 
Is Shimo the japenese serow still here at the zoo? There is one similar named Shimo, that is also a male that went to Granby in 2021. Only 3institution in Canada and one in the US hold them. I think it is the same one
 
It doesn't appear the species is listed on the website any longer, and I have not seen him in a few visits. However the signage in the grassland area still had him on the rotation species. I'll make a note on my next visit!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top