Blank Park Zoo Blank Park Zoo News

Other 2023 News:

On June 8th, it was reported that the zoo was cited a critical violation by the USDA over the death of a (0.0.1) Japanese macaque named Nico as it had laid on its back on a heating pad over the stretch of 3 hours during a dental procedure, causing a huge gangrenous wound to form on the monkey's back, and ultimately was put down 13 days later.

Blank Park Zoo cited for critical violation after snow monkey's death in 2022

On June 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) red-necked wallaby named Delta to the John Ball Zoo in Michigan.

登录 Facebook

On June 25th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.0.1) green honeycreeper, a (0.0.1) emerald starling, and a (0.0.1) silver-beaked tanager which are now on exhibit in the free-flight aviary inside the Discovery Center.

On July 1st, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Bali myna named Brooks and a (0.1) Venezuelan troupial, as well as (0.0.2+?) pink-necked fruit doves, which are now on exhibit in the free-flight aviary inside the Discovery Center.

Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo
Blank Park Zoo
 
On July 22nd, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) domestic ferrets named Merry and Pippin from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and are now on exhibit in the Critter Corner area.

Blank Park Zoo

On July 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) red fox named Penny passed away at age 10 due to age-related aggressive arthritis the week prior.

Blank Park Zoo
 
On July 22nd, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) domestic ferrets named Merry and Pippin from the Animal Rescue League of Iowa and are now on exhibit in the Critter Corner area.

Blank Park Zoo

On July 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) red fox named Penny passed away at age 10 due to age-related aggressive arthritis the week prior.

Blank Park Zoo
How sad, I was able to meet Penny, she was a bit of a handful but so energetic.
 
On August 17th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) mulefoot hogs named Ghee and Pickles which are now on exhibit in the Kids Kingdom area.

Blank Park Zoo - Meet the most HAMSOME, new boys on the...

On July 1st, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Venezuelan troupial which is now on exhibit in the free-flight aviary inside the Discovery Center.

Blank Park Zoo

On August 31st, the zoo announced that they acquired a (1.0) Venezuelan troupial which is now on exhibit in the free-flight aviary.

Blank Park Zoo - We recently introduced a male troupial to...
 
A male Harbor Seal was born/stillborn/died on 8/7/2023 at Blank Park Zoo, per the most recent MMIR.

Current Pinniped Population:
California Sea Lion (0.2)
0.1 Zoe (b. 08/15/2011)
0.1 Meatball (b. 08/01/2018)

Harbor Seal (1.1)
0.1 Meru (b. 07/01/2010)
1.0 Ross (b. 07/01/2010)
 
Last edited:
On September 16th, the zoo announced they, in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Des Moines Audubon Society built a Motus wildlife tracking system.

Blank Park Zoo - We've been working on this exciting...

On September 23rd, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) laughing kookaburras named Rafe and Topper hatched in June which will be animal ambassadors at a later date.

Blank Park Zoo - Our staff have been working tirelessly on...

On September 25th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Nicobar pigeon hatched on August 18th which is now on exhibit in the free-flight aviary.

Blank Park Zoo - Welcome to the world, little one Our...
 
On November 4th, the zoo announced that they acquired a (1.0) spangled cotinga which is now on exhibit in the free-roaming aviary.

Blank Park Zoo - NEW ADDITION: Meet one of the new kids on...

On November 10th, the zoo announced that they are raising funds to build new exhibits/renovate older exhibits in the Discovery Center. New species will include axolotls, Blanding's turtles, emperor scorpions, lemur leaf frogs, green mantella frogs, Thai bamboo ratsnakes, and Wyoming toads, as well as an on-display exhibit for the facility's Jamaican boa.

Log in to Facebook
Blank Park Zoo - Meet one of the new species coming to the...
Meet the Thai Bamboo Rat Snake | It's another #GivingTuesday sneak peak! Learn all about the Thai bamboo rat snakes that will call the Discovery Center home. Learn more about our Giving... | By Blank Park Zoo | Facebook
Lemur Leaf Frog Sneak Peak | It's another #GivingTuesday sneak peak! Learn all about the lemur leaf frogs that will call the Discovery Center home. Learn more about our Giving... | By Blank Park Zoo | Facebook
Blanding's Turtle Sneak Peak | What else is coming to the new reptile and amphibian expansion in the Discovery Center for our #GivingTuesday campaign? Blanding's Turtles We're... | By Blank Park Zoo | Facebook
Wyoming Toad Sneak Peak | #GivingTuesday isn't just raising funds for viewable habitats, but also to increase Blank Park Zoos conservation efforts. Introducing the Wyoming toad ... | By Blank Park Zoo | Facebook
Blank Park Zoo - Meet the Jamaican boa We introduced...

On November 18th, the zoo announced they started construction on the Joseph Stage, which will be located at the facility's center.

Blank Park Zoo - CONSTRUCTION UPDATE: Exciting changes are...
 
New Arrivals

Male Amur tiger:

Bronevik came from the Omaha Zoo’s Wildlife Safari Park:

Blank Park Zoo adds a new tiger, otter, bats & birds | who13.com

The addition of the 409-pound male Amur tiger was at the recommendation of the Species Survival Plan. Zookeepers hope he’ll be a good match with the zoo’s female Amur tiger.

New bats/birds:

Other new arrivals include 30 Jamaican fruit bats and close to 30 birds of the following species:

Scarlet ibis
Green homeycreeper
Emerald starling
Snowy-headed robin chat
Golden-crested mynah
Bali myna
Silver-beaked tanager
Spangled cotinga
Violaceous euphonia
Yellow-rumped cacique
Black-naped fruit dove

Source: Blank Park Zoo adds a new tiger, otter, bats & birds | who13.com
 
Piece of December 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On December 12th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) green-naped pheasant pigeon named Sesame hatched in November and is now on exhibit in the Discovery Center's walkthrough aviary.

Blank Park Zoo - HATCH ALERT: Our avian team welcomed a...

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

On December 21st, the zoo announced that their (1.0) Virginia opossum named JJ passed away at age 5 due to age-related health issues.

Blank Park Zoo - We're celebrating the life of a beloved...
 
1/20/2024 Update News:

I have never been to this facility before, so I am unsure of all of the changes. However, here were some things that I noticed that were happening around the park:
  • Some of the smaller exhibits in the Discovery Center were being renovated.
  • There was a new pavilion-looking structure being built near the Cotton-Top Tamarin exhibit
  • There was construction of something new in the place of the former Prairie Dog exhibit. It may possibly be a new stage?
Many of the species were off-exhibit due to the weather, but I am looking forward to visiting the park once the weather is better. For such a small zoo, they have an interesting collection and nice facilities. Nearly all of the exhibits are wonderful and well-constructed for all of the species inhabiting them.

I think this zoo will be one to watch in future years.
 
Back
Top