Bronx Zoo Bronx Zoo News 2025

[Andrew Mazza]

Could you link it where when you're ready to post it?

Sorry, but I wish I could share those pics easily. New to ZooChat and it seems there’s some guidelines to posting photos until your an established member. Been struggling to figure out how to post a photo in a message. If anyone else here has advice feel free to shout it out!

 

[Andrew Mazza]

Updates from today's visit:

• One of the signs in front of the aye-aye exhibit was covered—I assume it was the fat-tailed dwarf lemur's...
• The fence in the Père David’s deer habitat has been removed. The herd was enjoying the new growth!
• The red panda was back on exhibit in the Himalayan Highlands.
• I saw gaur on both sides of the new fence, with the majority on the sloping side.
• New to WoB: Northern Lapwing, Muscovy Duck
• Part of the board covering the Knobbed Hornbill exhibit has been removed, and I saw the fledgling with its dad.
• The WoB nursery was fenced off, and according to the sign, there was a kiwi chick inside that requires privacy!

I can verify that there was indeed a covered sign at the aye-aye when I went on July 18.

The gaur were on both sides of the fence?! Yeah, I really have no idea what that fence is for then.

Nice to hear that the fence in the Peré David’s Deer yard is gone now! I didn’t get to see that last time I went.

 

[Andrew Mazza]

The issue is more funding for projects as opposed to time. It's taken the zoo a long time to recover from the 2009 budget cuts ($15million cut in 2009, which is equal to nearly $22.5million today) and then they've had multiple large projects across the five collections (Ocean Wonders: Sharks!, the rebuilding/refurbishment of pretty much the entirety of NY Aquarium following Hurricane Sandy, the repairs to Prospect Park Zoo following heavy floods in 2023, BZ's Children's Zoo refurbishment, replacement of the ramp/refurbishment of the 2nd floor of World of Birds, catching up on all of the general habitat and exhibit maintenance that fell behind in the 5+ years following 2009). These have all required very large sums of money, especially in NYC which has some of the highest constructions costs in the world. One would hope that the WCS is now in a better place to get projects off the grounds more regularly, but I still wouldn't expect a new exhibit announcement in the next couple of years.

In addition to the loosely discussed South American exhibit, the Zoo has also expressed interest in redeveloping the Monkey House.

~Thylo

I definitely agree that funding and ambition would be the most realistic issue here. I also want to provide some further commentary and insight. I am actually a graduate of Project Dragonfly’s Advanced Inquiry Program (AIP) where I got to take grad school courses at Bronx Zoo (I can definitely divulge more on that later). In one of my courses in the Spring of 2023, my course facilitator (who’s part of WCS’ professional development team) essentially stated that most investment/work went into reopening the New York Aquarium after Hurricane Sandy. That’s why there had been very few/little changes at Bronx Zoo for about a decade. He said at the time that now that NYA is fully reopened, we’re going to start seeing some changes at BZ. And I’d say we’re right in the midst of these changes with the brand new Budgie Landing and the reopening of the World of Darkness! So hopefully there’s news of new things sooner than we think!

I’m sure all their eyes will now be on the Monkey House and former Rare Animal Range.

I am worried redeveloping the Monkey House would be difficult because I have a friend who used to work at the zoo and gave me some insight. According to her, apparently the Monkey House is a condemned building, yet at the same time is designated as a historic landmark, so they can’t actually tear it down. At worst, I’m worried it’ll just sit there empty for eternity, but I’m hoping something gets worked out, so they can do something with that building.

 

[Cat-Man]

Bronx has good form for renovating historic buildings into serviceable animal enclosures. The Madagascar house was widely praised for this on the forum when it opened in 2008.

 

[Andrew Mazza]

Bronx has good form for renovating historic buildings into serviceable animal enclosures. The Madagascar house was widely praised for this on the forum when it opened in 2008.

I can believe that! I for sure hope they do something on the level of Madagascar to the Monkey House. I really don’t mind if they do something radically different with that building (I.e. don’t make it a monkey/primate house).

Wikipedia still says that there’s ideas to turn it into a house of invertebrates, though I of course know Wikipedia’s not reliable and don’t know the veracity of that idea. That is certainly an idea I’d be ok with.

I very much am a fan of turning it into a Polynesian themed exhibit that’s been expressed by many here.

I also would really get behind reviving that Flooded Forest idea I’ve heard about on this forum for this building.

Possibilities are truly endless to me!

 

[ThylacineAlive]

The Monkey House is still used to house animals so it can't be *that* condemned.

But I do remember reading that many of the animal spaces were not functional and the zoo didn't have the means to upgrade at the time leading it the closure. So I'm not surprised to hear it would be a difficult undertaking to renovate and reopen. Thank you for your insight.

~Thylo

 

[Cat-Man]

I second the above, really interesting to hear.

The thing with Bronx is that it’s limited by cash, not by ambition. It relies quite a bit (though how much I can’t say, somebody else will be able to tell me) on funding from the taxpayer, has to manage 5 sites, and spends far more on in situ conservation than most other zoos. But when it comes to ambition, it can’t be faulted. Madagascar, Gelada Reserve, Himalaya, Jungle World (despite its age), and Congo Gorilla Forest are some of the most widely praised exhibits on this forum, especially the last one which I suspect would probably win a tournament on this forum for best exhibit in the world. Even African Plains, Asian Monorail (despite the limited viewing opportunities), the World of Birds, World of Reptiles, Mouse House, Bison Range, and the aquatic bird house are either excellent exhibits and/or have brilliant collections. When they do build exhibits, they really deliver! It’s been a quiet decade or so, but I’m sure whatever is next will be fantastic.

 

[Don Majeski]

I second the above, really interesting to hear.

The thing with Bronx is that it’s limited by cash, not by ambition. It relies quite a bit (though how much I can’t say, somebody else will be able to tell me) on funding from the taxpayer, has to manage 5 sites, and spends far more on in situ conservation than most other zoos. But when it comes to ambition, it can’t be faulted. Madagascar, Gelada Reserve, Himalaya, Jungle World (despite its age), and Congo Gorilla Forest are some of the most widely praised exhibits on this forum, especially the last one which I suspect would probably win a tournament on this forum for best exhibit in the world. Even African Plains, Asian Monorail (despite the limited viewing opportunities), the World of Birds, World of Reptiles, Mouse House, Bison Range, and the aquatic bird house are either excellent exhibits and/or have brilliant collections. When they do build exhibits, they really deliver! It’s been a quiet decade or so, but I’m sure whatever is next will be fantastic.[/
Being a fan of The Bronx Zoo is akin to rooting for their crosstown neighbors - The Yankees-when I was a boy. When the regularly won 100 games a year we’d ask, “ Why didn’t they win more?” in other words , whatever they do , it’s never enough
I’m guilty of always demanding more from them. But that’s the way it is when you live a winner. I recall that 1,000 species zoo like the annual World Series appearances by the Yankees

 

[Aspiring_zoologist]

Updates from today's visit:

• One of the signs in front of the aye-aye exhibit was covered—I assume it was the fat-tailed dwarf lemur's...
• The fence in the Père David’s deer habitat has been removed. The herd was enjoying the new growth!
• The red panda was back on exhibit in the Himalayan Highlands.
• I saw gaur on both sides of the new fence, with the majority on the sloping side.
• New to WoB: Northern Lapwing, Muscovy Duck
• Part of the board covering the Knobbed Hornbill exhibit has been removed, and I saw the fledgling with its dad.
• The WoB nursery was fenced off, and according to the sign, there was a kiwi chick inside that requires privacy!

There were supposed to be fat tailed dwarf lemurs in WoD??

also from my visit today, the Merten’s water monitor has been moved to the World of Reptiles and is in with the sailfin lizard and Asian turtles. The exhibit in Zoo center now holds a Solomon Island spiny monitor.

 

[Don Majeski]

There were supposed to be fat tailed dwarf lemurs in WoD??

also from my visit today, the Merten’s water monitor has been moved to the World of Reptiles and is in with the sailfin lizard and Asian turtles. The exhibit in Zoo center now holds a Solomon Island spiny monitor.

The fat tailed lemurs may still be acclimating to their exhibit or- in worst case- they may not be able to co-habit with the Aye Ayes - which are the primary inhabitants of the exhibit.
I would assume that should the two species be unable to co exist the same exhibit there wound be an alternative habitat in either Madagascar! , a seperate exhibit at World of Darkness or a nocturnal habitat a the Mouse House

 

[KiwiBirb]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time, and it was supposed to come after Aliens Among Us/ World of Darkness but before any Monkey House or Rare Animal Range plans (both are still planned and from what I heard the Rare Animal Range is planned to be South America.)

 

[tigris115]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time, and it was supposed to come after Aliens Among Us/ World of Darkness but before any Monkey House or Rare Animal Range plans (both are still planned and from what I heard the Rare Animal Range is planned to be South America.)

What else would you happen to know about this boreal expansion?

 

[Thomas]

What else would you happen to know about this boreal expansion?

Would North American Animals be involved, like the ones at the Zo,o like the Grizzly Bears?

 

[Don Majeski]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time, and it was supposed to come after Aliens Among Us/ World of Darkness but before any Monkey House or Rare Animal Range plans (both are still planned and from what I heard the Rare Animal Range is planned to be South America.)

I do not understand why they would do that when they already have the Queens Zoo which is a collection of Nearctic species -supplemented by some Neo Tropical (Pudu,Chacoan peccary, Spectacled Bears (I’m showing my age here)
If anything, the need to convert Queen’s
Farm in the Zoo into a their Neo Tropical zone with guanaco, tapir, rhea and year round , temperature regulated indoor exhibit for herps, primates and that jaguar exhibit they have so long proposed

 

[Don Majeski]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time, and it was supposed to come after Aliens Among Us/ World of Darkness but before any Monkey House or Rare Animal Range plans (both are still planned and from what I heard the Rare Animal Range is planned to be South America.)

By the way the Staten Island planning a dedicated Temperate (Holarctic exhibit ) with eagles, red panda, foxes , porcupine in more naturalistic exhibits than they have now.
They had planned red wolves but , though it would have been a species unique to any other NYC zoo, that has now, I believe , been abandoned

 

[savethelephant]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time

Just to add on to this, I remember hearing and seeing said concept art years ago. I know that a predator/prey style wolverine and ptarmigan exhibit was strongly considered to replace the polar bear exhibit, but thought the plans had changed when the Dholes were brought in. Perhaps this is still a contender for an exhibit in the vicinity?

 

[ThylacineAlive]

Just to add on to this, I remember hearing and seeing said concept art years ago. I know that a predator/prey style wolverine and ptarmigan exhibit was strongly considered to replace the polar bear exhibit, but thought the plans had changed when the Dholes were brought in. Perhaps this is still a contender for an exhibit in the vicinity?

I also remember the concept boreal mini-exhibit being ultimately replaced by the addition of Dholes.

~Thylo

 

[KiwiBirb]

Just to add on to this, I remember hearing and seeing said concept art years ago. I know that a predator/prey style wolverine and ptarmigan exhibit was strongly considered to replace the polar bear exhibit, but thought the plans had changed when the Dholes were brought in. Perhaps this is still a contender for an exhibit in the vicinity?

Yep, the Wolverine/Ptarmigan exhibit was one of the concept arts present, although I’m quite surprised to learn it was supposed to be for the old Polar Bear exhibit considering the lack of the moat and rocks in the concept, and it was never mentioned to me. Other pieces of concept art included Lynx in a similar style to the Wolverine/Ptarmigan exhibit, a concept for the entrance to the area (At least that’s what it appears to be) and an upgraded Bison exhibit with Pronghorn and Prairie Dog. They sounded like they were still intent on doing this in 2022 and before any Rare Animal Range and Monkey House work, but who knows. Hopefully an announcement will come sooner rather than later!

 

[AnActualFan]

Yep, the Wolverine/Ptarmigan exhibit was one of the concept arts present, although I’m quite surprised to learn it was supposed to be for the old Polar Bear exhibit considering the lack of the moat and rocks in the concept, and it was never mentioned to me. Other pieces of concept art included Lynx in a similar style to the Wolverine/Ptarmigan exhibit, a concept for the entrance to the area (At least that’s what it appears to be) and an upgraded Bison exhibit with Pronghorn and Prairie Dog. They sounded like they were still intent on doing this in 2022 and before any Rare Animal Range and Monkey House work, but who knows. Hopefully an announcement will come sooner rather than later!

Now that would be fascinating, even if I don't know where the space for these exhibits would be, considering how the space available doesn't seem great for exhibits, though maybe I am wrong.

 

[ZooElephantMan]

Sorry for the delay on jumping in, but from what I heard (in 2022) a North America/Boreal expansion is coming next. Concept Art had already been developed at the time, and it was supposed to come after Aliens Among Us/ World of Darkness but before any Monkey House or Rare Animal Range plans (both are still planned and from what I heard the Rare Animal Range is planned to be South America.)

Where did you see/hear about this?