Excuse me?
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter MeiLover
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Excuse me?
That makes three indoor enclosures open once more. I can only wait for Tropic Zone and the other enclosures to be open again.
So last week, I ended up visiting Brookfield Zoo for the first time in 24 years. The last time I went was shortly after The Living Coast opened (back when I wasn't a fan of aquariums and fish, so I kept my head buried in my mom's jacket the whole time - I've long since gotten over that fear) and I figured I should make a return trip.
Overall, I agree with what others have said in that the zoo desperately needs work. The first place I visited was the exterior of the Pachyderm House and a really sad, empty exhibit that looked like it hadn't been occupied in years (I could see litter in the moat). But I don't want to harp on that because I did enjoy my time there! Even with most of the buildings closed, I enjoyed walking around the entire zoo and seeing the wildlife, although there were unfortunately several no-shows (African Painted Dogs, Duikers, Kudu, Sloth Bear, the latter of which really disappointed me because I've never seen one in real life). I really enjoyed Great Bear Wilderness (one of the brother grizzlies was in the pool and he seemed to be having a great time), the kangaroos, The Swamp and The Living Coast. And I'm happy to see the free-roaming peafowl are still around (I even saw a male fully displaying its plumage). There were also two okapi that were attempting to mate, so fingers crossed that perhaps an offspring is on the horizon!
I probably won't end up going back regularly (I live about 40 minutes away and for just me alone it cost nearly $40 to get in) but I'm glad I went back!
Overall, I agree with what others have said in that the zoo desperately needs work. The first place I visited was the exterior of the Pachyderm House and a really sad, empty exhibit that looked like it hadn't been occupied in years (I could see litter in the moat). But I don't want to harp on that because I did enjoy my time there! Even with most of the buildings closed, I enjoyed walking around the entire zoo and seeing the wildlife, although there were unfortunately several no-shows (African Painted Dogs, Duikers, Kudu, Sloth Bear, the latter of which really disappointed me because I've never seen one in real life). I really enjoyed Great Bear Wilderness (one of the brother grizzlies was in the pool and he seemed to be having a great time), the kangaroos, The Swamp and The Living Coast. And I'm happy to see the free-roaming peafowl are still around (I even saw a male fully displaying its plumage). There were also two okapi that were attempting to mate, so fingers crossed that perhaps an offspring is on the horizon!
I probably won't end up going back regularly (I live about 40 minutes away and for just me alone it cost nearly $40 to get in) but I'm glad I went back!
Are the sloth bears still signed? I thought they were all gone a few years ago.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
Yup, their exhibit's right in between the African Lion and Amur Tiger exhibit in the big cat area. Can't imagine they'll be going anywhere anytime soon.
Its good to hear that they are still there, I remember seeing one of them a few years ago, one of the coolest bears.
Apparently this is older news, didn't know if anyone already said anything on it but Nan has moved to the Como Zoo in Minnesota.
Como Zoo welcomes Nan, a platonic friend for polar bear Neil after his twin brother’s death – Twin Cities
(This Article was published on 2-25-2021)
6.0 American White Pelicans will soon be moved to Brookfield from the Salisbury Zoo: Salisbury Zoo pelicans moving to Chicago zoo - 47abc
The South American and Asian zones in Tropic World have reopened.
The African section is still closed or it been open?
Tropic World: Africa is still closed for the time being.
Alright, that’s good to know.
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
Surprised they went with that one for the next building to open, but I guess it makes sense as it's somewhat of a more 'open' environment. I thought the indoor building for Habitat Africa: The Forest would've been next considering it's not a terribly popular building to begin with.
I imagine the line for Tropic World'll be insane on weekends.
I imagine the line for Tropic World'll be insane on weekends.
Two other minor news pieces:
A Black-footed cat arrived at the zoo earlier this month, marking the species return to the zoo after the last one died at the beginning of 2020.
Togo slippery frogs will be getting a brand new exhibit in Feathers and Scales. They will be in a mixed species exhibit with a lizard species from the same area. Not sure when this will happen, probably not any time soon unfortunately.
A Black-footed cat arrived at the zoo earlier this month, marking the species return to the zoo after the last one died at the beginning of 2020.
Togo slippery frogs will be getting a brand new exhibit in Feathers and Scales. They will be in a mixed species exhibit with a lizard species from the same area. Not sure when this will happen, probably not any time soon unfortunately.
Would be nice if they acquire some female conspecifics as well for animal welfare and "enrichment' as nothing better than a good functioning flock.
Meaning you would have to backtrack after seeing Asia and South America, or are they using a different exit?
Brookfield Fan
Active Member
You exit the building through a set of sliding doors on the north side of the building just after the Asian section. Those doors have always been there, I believe just they've never been used.
Brookfield Zoo Visit Report, 5/8/2021
Another day, another zoo visit. I spent a long five hours at the zoo today and noticed a lot of things. I finally saw both The Swamp and Tropic World (2/3rds of it at least) for the first time in over a year, and animals were all around pretty active. In Tropic World, non of the marmosets or tamarins were out, and the anteater was also gone. Interestingly, the signage for the anteater was not present either, so I worry that it may be gone from the building entirely. I certainly hope that is not the case as the building is already feeling more and more empty as time goes on. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get any updates on the great ape expansion. It doesn't sound like I'll know too much more for a least a few months, although I'm optimistic that we may know more by the end of the year.
Minor Updates:
Another day, another zoo visit. I spent a long five hours at the zoo today and noticed a lot of things. I finally saw both The Swamp and Tropic World (2/3rds of it at least) for the first time in over a year, and animals were all around pretty active. In Tropic World, non of the marmosets or tamarins were out, and the anteater was also gone. Interestingly, the signage for the anteater was not present either, so I worry that it may be gone from the building entirely. I certainly hope that is not the case as the building is already feeling more and more empty as time goes on. Unfortunately I wasn't able to get any updates on the great ape expansion. It doesn't sound like I'll know too much more for a least a few months, although I'm optimistic that we may know more by the end of the year.
Minor Updates:
- The Galapagos tortoises and spur-thighed tortoises in the Pachyderm House are gone and that exhibit is now empty because of course it is. That's right, yet another empty exhibit.
- Two roseate spoonbill chicks hatched recently.
- The fencing surrounding the African hoofstock yards is being replaced.
- Some sort of construction is going on where the old stingray bay used to be, probably a minor restaurant addition.
- The old Woofield gift shop has been converted into an office/meeting space for staff.
- The interior of BZ Red Hots was completely redone, for anyone that cares.
- I still haven't seen the crowned crane. There is also no signs that would indicate it being a part of the exhibit. Did something happen to it? Or is the zoo just being extra cautious?
- Highlight of the day was easily the grizzly bears. Axhi and Jim were wrestling in the pool and it was a marvelous display of these animals and their raw power. The most active I have ever seen them.
- Finally got around to see the Chinese giant salamanders. What cool animals! I never got the chance to properly view them before so this was a real treat. I do wonder what the zoo will do when they inevitably outgrow their tank, but I do hope they find a way for them to stick around.
- There is a wild groundhog that lives in the middle rhino yard. Layla was following it around and the rodent quickly retreated into the burrow it made in the exhibit. Very funny indeed.
- I got up close with one of the lowland tapirs, one of them even sprayed the other which was interesting to say the least.
Are the Galapagos giants completely gone or BTS. They are juveniles born 2009 in Brownsville (microphyes).
I want to get my hopes up, but I don’t think them phasing out the tortoises mean a new species to join the Pachyderm house. This will be a long wait for big changes.
The biggest disappointment for me is the anteater’s removal from the Tropic World. Part of what made the exhibit lively is the biodiversity of arboreal and terrestrial animals. No terrestrial animals in the exhibit (tapirs, anteaters, and Pygmy hippos) might as well mean this is an arboreal only animal exhibit.
The biggest disappointment for me is the anteater’s removal from the Tropic World. Part of what made the exhibit lively is the biodiversity of arboreal and terrestrial animals. No terrestrial animals in the exhibit (tapirs, anteaters, and Pygmy hippos) might as well mean this is an arboreal only animal exhibit.