I visited the zoo today and had a very lovely visit as usual.
First off, I also didn't see the Guanay Cormorant, Andean Cocks-of-the-Rock, or the Maxwell's Duikers, though a keeper told me they are still at the zoo but are off-show again... I did, however, see a single young Maleo despite their signage now being gone. Also finally saw the Red-Flanked Duiker and Southern Lesser Kudus on-exhibit, ironically on my first visit to the zoo after I saw these species for the first time in other zoos this summer
Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins are with the Bolivian Grey Titis and Grey-Winged Trumpeter in World of Birds instead of the Golden Lion Tamarins, though those were outside the Mouse House along with Cotton-Top Tamarins, White-Faced Sakis, Goeldi's Monkeys, and more Golden-Headed Lion Tamarins and Bolivian Grey Titis.
There's now a pair of Golden-Headed Quetzals and 1.2 Green Junglefowl in WOB. Also new are a pair of Asian Fairy-Bluebirds (I think they're new), Silver-Beaked Tanagers, Saffron Finches, Black-and-White Seedeaters, Ruddy-Breasted Seedeaters, Cuban Grassquits, Red-Crested Cardinals, and at least one other unsigned tanager. All but the fairy-bluebirds are in the big South American walk-in on the second floor. There's also a Military Macaw chick in the nursery and a White-Throated Bee-Eater chick in enclosure. There also appear to be two more tortoise species, though both unsigned. I have photos of both for eventual ID, though I think one of the species was Asian Brown Tortoise.
The signage has been removed for the Ring-Tailed Vontsiras, though they were both still on-exhibit.
There are now four Aldabra Giant Tortoises, two which are obviously quite younger than the original two.
The old snapping turtle enclosure in World of Reptiles, which has sat empty for years now, has finally reopened as a pretty nice Chinese Crocodile Lizard enclosure. Smooth-Sided Toad has been added to the Green Anaconda and Cane Toad enclosure. There's a pair of dwarf crocodile and a pair of Blue Tree Monitor hatchlings in the nursery, though I didn't see them. The old Lace Monitor enclosure by the snake-necked turtles is being redeveloped for Grand Cayman Iguana.
Long-Tailed Finches, Double-Barred Finches, and Star Finches have been added to the Butterfly Garden, and those unidentified ring-necked doves turned out to be Eurasian Collared Doves according to a keeper.
While I didn't see it, Buff-Crested Bustard has apparently been added to the Pheasant Aviaries mixed with Crested Coua and Superb Starling.
Dorcus titanus, a giant stag beetle, as been added to Jungle World. There's now a pair of Prevost's Squirrels and the Silvered Leaf Monkeys were off-exhibit. There was also only one Malayan Tapir.
There are now four Indian Muntjac (at least) on the Wild Asia Monorail.
No Malayan Tiger cubs or Malayan Tigers of any kind out today.
No Geladas oddly.
Only three Brown Bears.
The Tawny Frogmouth has been moved to Birds of Prey.
Now perhaps for the biggest news, the Aquatic Bird House is currently closed for renovations.
Some fun facts posted in the nursery in World of Birds:
-The zoo was the first to rear a Guam Kingfisher in captivity.
-The zoo has hatched over 145 Bali Mynah chicks since the 1970's.
-The zoo has hatched over 40 Lesser Birds-of-Paradise chicks since 1990.
-In 15 years, 10,000(!!) Maleo chicks have hatched at WCS-managed sites and released into the wild.
~Thylo
