Made a visit yesterday with some friends who hadn't been there in years. Not sure everyone had fun but what's relevant in this post is that I did.
We arrived deep in the rain, which clearly made the kangaroos uncomfortable as they hid at the sides of their enclosure, but the camels and zebra did not seem bothered. My friends both loved the dwarf crocodile in Habitat Africa and it seemed to be the highlight of the trip for them, as well as the bears.
- This was the first time in years I actually caught the wolves and it was a great experience.
- Pistachio was a highlight and a welcome addition to her exhibit. She drifted under the viewing glass (does the tank extended far underneath the walkway??) right when a lot of guests showed up.
- I did see the anteater inside, and did miss the sloth. Two spider monkeys and the sleepy anteater seemed to be South America's only mammalian inhabitants. Asia was worse, with only gibbon and one otter present, and an orangutan just going inside. It looked to be a male gibbon though, black fur. The whole building felt so empty and inactive. Does the zoo even still have tamarins? Did the gibbons ever have company?
- The geese invasion at Pachyderm House was still going. Both Brazilian tapirs were out during the rainfall partying with them.
- The tortoises are between the capybara and the tapirs behind Pachyderm House. It's a step up from the Formal Pool for sure. They lose the little pool they have.
- I know some people who browse these threads prefer ONLY NEWS, but on an emotional note, my heart broke a little seeing Adelle's former habitat empty, the sign saying the animal was 'off-exhibit' and the pool drained. Pygmy hippos are a favorite of mine and she had been my favorite animal at the zoo for a long time.
- One of the best views I've ever had of the gerenuks at Habitat Africa, and had an OK view of the Nyala, wish I had seen more. No sign of the dik-diks.
- Did not see ocelot, fishing cat or clouded leopard, it was disappointing day for a lot of cats... but the Black-footed cat was active and adoable, running all around and eating something! Such a cute little thing. The tiger (Whirl, last I'd heard) played with a toy and rolled around in the grass as well, an unexpected treat.
- Reptiles and Birds is indeed open, although the free-flight area is still closed. The reptiles seemed pretty... I wouldn't say active, but almost all of them were quite visible, more so than usual. Enjoyed the iguana and the Gray's monitor in particular, and one of the pythons was having a meal. Kind of wish they'd return to traditional signage though.
- There was one otter in Tropic World, but the others in Clouded Leopard Rainforest and the Swamp were all missing.
Kind of a shame with the new Ocelot and Capybara that there's not extra room for a proper Amazon exhibit. Maybe they could add space for them at Tropic World after the apes are given outdoor access? Maybe even somewhere for the Coatimundi? Desert's Edge could then resume holding Caracal and Hyrax. I love the new species, do not want them to leave the zoo, but it really disrupts the building.
Also saw a wild frog in the rain by Pachyderm House, which was a fun little experience itself.
Feathers and Scales, Play Zoo, Painted Dogs, and Australia House are the only animal buildings still closed from the looks of it? I can verify the second and third are still closed but totally forgot to check F&C.
