Bearizona Wildlife Park Bearizona News

I wonder what happened to the 2nd one. Not only was it stated there were two, but they also showed a picture of two cats. Maybe where the other one 'disappeared' to is the reason why the opening has been delayed so long? I'm glad, though, it's finally going to open. I need to get back up there and see the new features of the place.
 
azcheetah2 said:
I wonder what happened to the 2nd one. Not only was it stated there were two, but they also showed a picture of two cats. Maybe where the other one 'disappeared' to is the reason why the opening has been delayed so long? I'm glad, though, it's finally going to open. I need to get back up there and see the new features of the place.
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I doubt the death or transfer of the second cat has anything to do with the opening. If you look at the photos there is still paper and tape on the windows as if they were just installed. I think they just got behind on construction. The large pool is nice, but from what little I have seen there seem to be no trees. I hope I am wrong and there is some foliage in a section not shown on the preview pictures.
 
They posted another picture on Facebook and it looks like there's quite a bit of grass and there's at least one large spot visable that throws off a lot of shade due to the height of the wall.

Also, they DO have 2 jaguars. A brother and sister who they will rotate on exhibit, but eventually they will send Serafina to another facility and acquire a female for breeding. I guess Bearizona is going into the jaguar breeding business. hahaha.
 
Facebook has a really nice aerial photo of the new jaguar exhibit and the adjoining restaurant (which is still under construction).
https://www.facebook.com/Bearizona/...11504142950/10153885991222951/?type=3&theater

(Opinion - the photo confirms my fear that while the exhibit has lots of grass and a nice pool, there are no trees or bushes. Also , the FB post mentions that a naming contest has resulted in a winning name of Bagheera for the male black jaguar. Never mind the fact that Bagheera was a leopard, not a jaguar.)
 
Arizona Docent said:
Facebook has a really nice aerial photo of the new jaguar exhibit and the adjoining restaurant (which is still under construction).
https://www.facebook.com/Bearizona/...11504142950/10153885991222951/?type=3&theater

(Opinion - the photo confirms my fear that while the exhibit has lots of grass and a nice pool, there are no trees or bushes. Also , the FB post mentions that a naming contest has resulted in a winning name of Bagheera for the male black jaguar. Never mind the fact that Bagheera was a leopard, not a jaguar.)
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So, my friend, when will you be visiting Bearizona? :)

The exhibit is surrounded by forest and it would have been great to see some trees get salvaged for the jaguar enclosure. It appears as if there will be lots of viewing windows surrounding the gigantic mock-rock exterior.
 
That restaurant is massive.

It definitely looks like the exhibit has an ample amount of space, but I share snowleopard's observation that working in the surrounding forest would have been preferable. A viewing window from the restaurant into the enclosure would have been interesting too.
 
Buldeo said:
That restaurant is massive.

It definitely looks like the exhibit has an ample amount of space, but I share snowleopard's observation that working in the surrounding forest would have been preferable. A viewing window from the restaurant into the enclosure would have been interesting too.
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Actually there will be a viewing window from the restaurant into the exhibit.
 
vogelcommando said:
Wild puma kills Dall sheep :
Bearizona Wildlife Park cited by USDA after mountain lion kills sheep - ABC15 Arizona
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And that's one of the reasons I was told why they weren't going to be able to exhibit mountain lions like originally planned...the inability to keep them confined within a certain amount of space.

It's unfortunate about the sheep, but I think I'd have to agree with the park on this one. It was a one-time incident. They've been open, what, 5 years now? 6? And this is the first time something like this has happened. The cat jumped TWO fences to get in. Not much was going to keep him out.
 
The park's first restaurant, Canyonlands, is now open. The two story interior with canyon walls looks impressive (based on photos). The menu is posted on Facebook and includes the following sections (each with several options): Hickory Smoked Barbecue, Burgers (can substitute beef patty with chicken or vegetarian patty), Sandwiches, Salads, Soups and Chilis, Sides, Kids Menu.
 
The Summer 2017 issue of Zoo Grapevine & International Zoo News magazine has a 4-page review of Arizona's Bearizona, written by noted zoo historian Ken Kawata. At the end of the extensive review the author also has a couple of paragraphs on each of these 4 attractions: Reid Park Zoo, Phoenix Zoo, Wildlife World Zoo and Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.
 
A new otter exhibit is under construction, which will include underwater viewing and underwater cameras.

Another white bison was born recently. However I was surprised to learn: These are not the legendary White Bison of ancient native lore. That only happens about one in ten million. These are a mix of the white cattle breed called the French Charolais (Sharlay) and the American Bison.
(Part in italics is a direct quote from a statement by the park on their Facebook page). The photo shows the baby is very bright white, but the adults turn darker to more of a tan color.
 
The park has received two jaguars, brothers Nacho and Libre from Cat Haven in California. One is a typical morph and one is a black morph.
 
The park has received its first bald eagle, injured in Virginia several years ago and recently transferred to Bearizona.
(source - zoo Facebook page)
 
A few news items from my visit two days ago (based on personal observations and discussions with staff).

1. A new animal demonstration stage and lawn has been constructed (just left of walk-thru entrance as you are entering, just before otter exhibit). New holding facilities for show animals are about to be built adjoining the otter exhibit.

2. An extended pathway (roped off) appears to go from jaguar exhibit to back side of drive-thru area. This may be for a future elk (wapiti) exhibit?

3. The next large project will be an exhibit for rescued grizzly bears that will likely be built behind the barnyard animal exhibit.

4. Mountain lions (pumas) are a species they would like to add in the future, but no definite plans are currently in the works (as far as I know).

5. The formerly dirt parking lot was paved this year (a huge improvement).
 
A decade ago there were no grizzly bears in Arizona and now there are three zoos that have them! As I mentioned in the previous post they were looking to add grizzly bears and I am sure they will provide a good space for them. Here is an article with more information, stating they will be transported to the park on June 3 and be visible to the public beginning June 12.
Orphaned bear cubs coming to Bearizona, brand new enclosure planned

Another new species at the park is pronghorn. Arizona Game & Fish gave them one as a fawn (last year I think) and another fawn just received. The older one is in a large twelve acre drive through enclosure with rescued Arizona mule deer and Coue's white-tailed deer and the younger one will join them when it is bigger. Unfortunately both were taken from the wild by ignorant citizens who assumed they were abandoned, when in fact their mother was probably just out grazing.
 
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Arizona Docent said:
A decade ago there were no grizzly bears in Arizona and now there are three zoos that have them! As I mentioned in the previous post they were looking to add grizzly bears and I am sure they will provide a good space for them. Here is an article with more information, stating they will be transported to the park on June 3 and be visible to the public beginning June 12.
Orphaned bear cubs coming to Bearizona, brand new enclosure planned

Another new species at the park is pronghorn. Arizona Game & Fish gave them one as a fawn (last year I think) and another fawn just received. The older one is in a large twelve acre drive through enclosure with rescued Arizona mule deer and Coue's white-tailed deer and the younger one will join them when it is bigger. Unfortunately both were taken from the wild by ignorant citizens who assumed they were abandoned, when in fact their mother was probably just out grazing.
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The pronghorn were local from Arizona so is that the Sonoran subspecies both belong to?

It still surprises me how little people know about the great outdoors and wildlands and that you are never supposed to pick up calves lying low and waiting for their mothers to return and nurse them.
 
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