It's going to be in the 90s and humid much of next week, so maybe having to wait isn't the worst thing.
Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo News 2020
- Thread starter AmbikaFan
- Start date
Thats the weather at the NC Zoo every day of summer, so its kind of pick your torture
That really is disappointing
Still the zoo has a nice variety of popular animals (as well as some more obscure animals) that can be seen: tiger, lion, snow leopard, red panda, brown bear, wild dog, hyena, giraffe, zebra, rhino, bison, gelada, eagles, vultures, flamingos, among other species. But sadly very few smaller species will be on display. I also doubt the monorail may be able to open given these more restrictive standards.
The news today is a bit confusing. On the one hand, there is explicit mention of zoos being allowed to reopen at 33% capacity. On the other, it says that no additional indoor activities such as museums will be allowed. It appears that the state and city might be looking at zoos as simply outdoor activities and aren't separately regulating the buildings.
Yeah I was about to comment that the aquarium advertised their new Spineless Wonders exhibit today on instagram implying that it will be open starting Monday. In general I can't see how the aquarium could reopen without the buildings opening, too.
I've messaged the zoo asking whether or not the buildings will be closed or open following Cuomo's announcement but they haven't answered.
~Thylo
It's been confirmed: the zoo is being forced to keep all of their buildings and the monorail closed for the time being, and the new zoo map reflects this. Additionally the NY Aquarium is required to stay closed.
~Thylo
~Thylo
Last edited:
The buildings at the Prospect Park and Central Park Zoo also must remain closed. Taking these collections down to like 2 dozen species apiece
Queens Zoo at least will be fully open. And Bronx will have more species on display than most other zoos, even with outdoors only (compared to say the NC Zoo).
They should do something like a gorilla cam, okapi cam, elephant/Asian hoofstock cam, Madagascar cam, JungleWorld cam, etc. Hopefully the Forest Edge viewing area outside of Congo Gorilla Forest is still open for guests?The buildings at the Prospect Park and Central Park Zoo also must remain closed. Taking these collections down to like 2 dozen species apiece
Have they not? I'm not sure which they have but the zoo did put cams up during the closure period.
~Thylo
Love that they have one of the Aquatic Bird House's beach exhibit. I have always found it to be one of the most peaceful spots at the zoo.
Yes, it's always been pretty. But it's much more interesting now that they put the Little Blue Penguins there. And I wish the artificial waves were still there.
So the zoo has yet to get back to me on the question of whether or not my membership has been extended, but they also just let me purchase a ticket for the members-only day July 23rd with it so I'm guessing the answer is yes
I look forward to visiting my old friend again.
~Thylo
Finally got an email back. My membership was been automatically extended until October 30th so if you have a membership which expired during the lockdown you're in luck!
~Thylo
TheZooMan10
Well-Known Member
In my opinion,the most peaceful spot in the zoo is the free flight aviary/pool in Jungleworld.
From my visit today:
Best news: the Wild Asia monorail is running! (Although at reduced capacity and frequency--they space out passengers--I had a whole car to myself--and wipe down the whole train after each run.)
Second best news, despite the heat, it was not uncomfortable (except see the second worst news), thanks to the fact that much of the zoo is heavily shaded. The three block walk from and to the subway station, in the sun along Boston Road, was brutally hot.
Worst news: the one genuinely new exhibit I wanted to see, the Dholes, had a big sign in it: "Exhibit Closed Today." I was ticked.
Second worst news: On a day this hot, you sweat a lot under a mask.
I arrived shortly before 10 and was the second one through the Asia Gate. They are serious about social distancing. Two out of every three urinals in the Wild Asia men's room are taped off. Every staff person I dealt with, at the entrance and when I stopped for lunch at Somba Village, were delightful. Several others as I walked around were telling everyone how happy they were to see us back.
The Waldrapps were, well, the Waldrapps.
There's now a sandpile in the middle of the Slender-horned Gazelle exhibit, which they seem to like enough to lie on it in the direct sun.
The Grevy's Zebras were grazing at the very front of the exhibit and seemed startled to see me, watching me warily, as if they expected me to jump over the fence at them. By the time I left, they were grazing at the back of the yard.
There was one hyena sleeping under the bush nearest the west viewing window. I didn't see the other.
Two of the Hunting Dogs were sleeping at the very front of the exhibit, and a third not far away, closest I have ever seen them. Clearly, the animals are used to there being no visitors.
Didn't see the ostriches. The giraffes looked fine.
They had given the gorillas their morning feeding at the edge of the yard nearest the viewing window on the main path towards the pheasants, so I got to see several of them even though Congo Gorilla Forest was closed. I have never before seen any of them anywhere close to that part of their exhibit.
The Seriemas are now in one of the pheasant cages, and one of them was making quite a racket. He or she is very loud up close.
A lot of the walks are now one way, which can mess you up a bit if you have a standard way of going through the zoo. You can see this on the current map.
White rhinos were both out, as were several of the giant tortoises.
First time I had ever seen one of the Komodo Dragons in the outside enclosure. I've always thought it is a really great exhibit, and it's even better with one of the lizards visible.
There are Black-faced Ibis in that corner cage of the old Bird House. I envied the sea lions their pool.
Just by dint of timing and luck got to see them feed the Andean Condors and the Cinereous Vultures--they really ripped into their dead rats, and seeing them spread their wings as they came down/over to get the rats from the keeper is really impressive. They are very, very big birds.
The walkway by the Caribbean Flamingos as you approach the Aquatic Birds Building is closed off, as is the Sea Bird Colony, probably because they couldn't work out one way access. There is one spot on the side from which you can view the flamingos.
There are at least two bison calves, maybe more.
There were a lot of bird calls audible from the World of Birds, which was frustrating.
The Pere David's deer were all lying in a big heap together in the shade, although I saw only one buck, and usually there's more than one. There is a pair of Whooper Swans in with them.
There was one tiger in each of the two exhibits in Tiger Mountain, one simply asleep, the other strolling very slowly around the yard.
The grizzlies were in their pool, of course. There's a new, large picnic area across from the grizzlies, and a food stand named "Grizzly Grounds".
The Himalaya Highlands revealed one sleeping Red Panda, one sleeping Snow Leopard (both oh so pretty), and a Tragopan.
One of the White-naped Cranes was in the pond, right up against the visitor's railing, closest I've ever seen one of those. I could have reached our and touched it, although it didn't look pleased we were there.
There are several young Geladas, all of which were by the viewing window, which was very entertaining. They didn't let the heat stop them from energetic play with each other. The ibex were up on the hill but looked great even from a distance. The hyraxes were all asleep but several were visible.
You can enter the Africa walkway that runs along the Nyala only from the south near Wild Asia. Almost all of the antelope were in the shade, most up against the wall that runs along the viewing path. The two male lions were out on lion island.
Has anyone ever seen the Thompson's Gazelles anywhere near the front of the exhibit?
There was a young Barasingha who also wasn't deterred by the heat and was bounding and galloping back and forth a very large stretch of the exhibit. Saw a lot of Barasingha at the beginning and the Blackbuck later, but never caught sight of any Axis Deer.
The Przewalski's Horses were all down front, too, as were the Brow-Antlered Deer. The Gaur were up on the hill. I'm pretty sure the guide said they have five calves.
One of the Amur Tigers was in the exhibit, posed as if for a picture on a rock overlooking the pond, and he was calling, one of the few times I've heard tigers at the Bronx Zoo make a sound.
They have put a fence down the middle of the elephant yard so Patty and Happy can both be out.
One of the Indian rhinos was in the bigger and older of the two wallows. She roused herself a little bit as we went by, as if curious to see us.
Saw the female babirusa but not the male. Saw the Sambar, the Nilgai and the Hog Deer. Didn't see the Musk Deer. All the Asian deer are in the early antler growth phase, only partially grown in and in velvet. Saw a second sleeping Red Panda.
Tahr and Markhor looked great in their exhibit as they always do.
And then went home and took a nap.
Best news: the Wild Asia monorail is running! (Although at reduced capacity and frequency--they space out passengers--I had a whole car to myself--and wipe down the whole train after each run.)
Second best news, despite the heat, it was not uncomfortable (except see the second worst news), thanks to the fact that much of the zoo is heavily shaded. The three block walk from and to the subway station, in the sun along Boston Road, was brutally hot.
Worst news: the one genuinely new exhibit I wanted to see, the Dholes, had a big sign in it: "Exhibit Closed Today." I was ticked.
Second worst news: On a day this hot, you sweat a lot under a mask.
I arrived shortly before 10 and was the second one through the Asia Gate. They are serious about social distancing. Two out of every three urinals in the Wild Asia men's room are taped off. Every staff person I dealt with, at the entrance and when I stopped for lunch at Somba Village, were delightful. Several others as I walked around were telling everyone how happy they were to see us back.
The Waldrapps were, well, the Waldrapps.
There's now a sandpile in the middle of the Slender-horned Gazelle exhibit, which they seem to like enough to lie on it in the direct sun.
The Grevy's Zebras were grazing at the very front of the exhibit and seemed startled to see me, watching me warily, as if they expected me to jump over the fence at them. By the time I left, they were grazing at the back of the yard.
There was one hyena sleeping under the bush nearest the west viewing window. I didn't see the other.
Two of the Hunting Dogs were sleeping at the very front of the exhibit, and a third not far away, closest I have ever seen them. Clearly, the animals are used to there being no visitors.
Didn't see the ostriches. The giraffes looked fine.
They had given the gorillas their morning feeding at the edge of the yard nearest the viewing window on the main path towards the pheasants, so I got to see several of them even though Congo Gorilla Forest was closed. I have never before seen any of them anywhere close to that part of their exhibit.
The Seriemas are now in one of the pheasant cages, and one of them was making quite a racket. He or she is very loud up close.
A lot of the walks are now one way, which can mess you up a bit if you have a standard way of going through the zoo. You can see this on the current map.
White rhinos were both out, as were several of the giant tortoises.
First time I had ever seen one of the Komodo Dragons in the outside enclosure. I've always thought it is a really great exhibit, and it's even better with one of the lizards visible.
There are Black-faced Ibis in that corner cage of the old Bird House. I envied the sea lions their pool.
Just by dint of timing and luck got to see them feed the Andean Condors and the Cinereous Vultures--they really ripped into their dead rats, and seeing them spread their wings as they came down/over to get the rats from the keeper is really impressive. They are very, very big birds.
The walkway by the Caribbean Flamingos as you approach the Aquatic Birds Building is closed off, as is the Sea Bird Colony, probably because they couldn't work out one way access. There is one spot on the side from which you can view the flamingos.
There are at least two bison calves, maybe more.
There were a lot of bird calls audible from the World of Birds, which was frustrating.
The Pere David's deer were all lying in a big heap together in the shade, although I saw only one buck, and usually there's more than one. There is a pair of Whooper Swans in with them.
There was one tiger in each of the two exhibits in Tiger Mountain, one simply asleep, the other strolling very slowly around the yard.
The grizzlies were in their pool, of course. There's a new, large picnic area across from the grizzlies, and a food stand named "Grizzly Grounds".
The Himalaya Highlands revealed one sleeping Red Panda, one sleeping Snow Leopard (both oh so pretty), and a Tragopan.
One of the White-naped Cranes was in the pond, right up against the visitor's railing, closest I've ever seen one of those. I could have reached our and touched it, although it didn't look pleased we were there.
There are several young Geladas, all of which were by the viewing window, which was very entertaining. They didn't let the heat stop them from energetic play with each other. The ibex were up on the hill but looked great even from a distance. The hyraxes were all asleep but several were visible.
You can enter the Africa walkway that runs along the Nyala only from the south near Wild Asia. Almost all of the antelope were in the shade, most up against the wall that runs along the viewing path. The two male lions were out on lion island.
Has anyone ever seen the Thompson's Gazelles anywhere near the front of the exhibit?
There was a young Barasingha who also wasn't deterred by the heat and was bounding and galloping back and forth a very large stretch of the exhibit. Saw a lot of Barasingha at the beginning and the Blackbuck later, but never caught sight of any Axis Deer.
The Przewalski's Horses were all down front, too, as were the Brow-Antlered Deer. The Gaur were up on the hill. I'm pretty sure the guide said they have five calves.
One of the Amur Tigers was in the exhibit, posed as if for a picture on a rock overlooking the pond, and he was calling, one of the few times I've heard tigers at the Bronx Zoo make a sound.
They have put a fence down the middle of the elephant yard so Patty and Happy can both be out.
One of the Indian rhinos was in the bigger and older of the two wallows. She roused herself a little bit as we went by, as if curious to see us.
Saw the female babirusa but not the male. Saw the Sambar, the Nilgai and the Hog Deer. Didn't see the Musk Deer. All the Asian deer are in the early antler growth phase, only partially grown in and in velvet. Saw a second sleeping Red Panda.
Tahr and Markhor looked great in their exhibit as they always do.
And then went home and took a nap.
Great to hear some news from the zoo. I have a few comments and questions.
- About how many gelada do they have now?
- I saw the gazelles towards the front once years ago. Never again. The zoo from what I know always tries to get them to use the whole space but they do not. The zoo added the lesser kudu to at least add some activity to the space.
- From what I know the zoo has reduced its Axis Deer herd. They still have them but less.
- Splitting the elephant yard is actually a great idea now that they only have two. Also appeased those who think Happy is never on exhibit.
- How many nilgai did you see?
- By musk deer do you mean tufted deer?
The zoo has two "fanged deer" species. There are the North Indian Muntjac which are in the first small yard you see right after the Barasingha/Blackbuck. Then the Tufted Deer are in a medium sized paddock but stay very well hidden. The musk-deer (which are not true deer btw) are no longer in the collection, but were always off-show.
The zoo had nearly 20 Gelada, they might even be over that now with the new births.
The zoo has two male kudu but they're hardly ever on-exhibit, same with the Blue Cranes they acquired for the enclosure as well. The zoo has a massive and very important breeding herd of gazelles and unfortunately the other animals seem to disturb their fawns so they're very infrequently exhibited.
The zoo has around 10 Chital left I think? But I believe they're all females so no more breeding...
There are two or three Formosan Sika left.
The zoo has 10-15 Sambar iirc.
The zoo has 20-30 Barasingha, which is around half if not over half the AZA population.
The zoo has two pairs of babirusa last I checked.
~Thylo
The zoo had nearly 20 Gelada, they might even be over that now with the new births.
The zoo has two male kudu but they're hardly ever on-exhibit, same with the Blue Cranes they acquired for the enclosure as well. The zoo has a massive and very important breeding herd of gazelles and unfortunately the other animals seem to disturb their fawns so they're very infrequently exhibited.
The zoo has around 10 Chital left I think? But I believe they're all females so no more breeding...
There are two or three Formosan Sika left.
The zoo has 10-15 Sambar iirc.
The zoo has 20-30 Barasingha, which is around half if not over half the AZA population.
The zoo has two pairs of babirusa last I checked.
~Thylo
I just checked the USDA inspection record from last August. According to it the Wild Asia herds are as follows:
It's sad to hear the zoo no longer has a male Axis Deer. I guess they are not exactly a species of high conservation concern though and are so common in private hands that getting more will always be an option.
- Blackbuck (9)
- Chital (11)
- Hog Deer (15)
- Nilgai (18)
- Sika Deer (3)
- Sambar (12)
- Barasingha (25)
- Indian Muntjac (1)
- Babirusa (4)
- Markhor (22)
- Himalayan Tahr (4)
- Tufted Deer (4)
- Gaur (18), (more now due to births and import)
- Brow Antler Deer (not included, likely an error)
It's sad to hear the zoo no longer has a male Axis Deer. I guess they are not exactly a species of high conservation concern though and are so common in private hands that getting more will always be an option.
TheZooMan10
Well-Known Member
Some of these surprised me such as 18 Nilgai which is alot in my opinion,only 3 sika deer,and only 4 himalayan tahr and 22 markhor which is also alot in my opinion
The Nilgai number was the one that surprised me. Hence I asked how many were scene today. All the other numbers seem like what I would expect. The tahr are only females from what I know and are phase-out. The species is not managed by the AZA. Markhor are, hence they were brought in and have bred rapidly since then.
The phase-out of the Formosan Sika Deer is really sad though since they are so rare in captivity. As well they have been at the zoo for such a long time.
Edit: When Wild Asia opened in 1977 the zoo had 50 Formosan Sika Deer
Last edited: