Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo News 2023
- Thread starter JVM
- Start date
-
- Tags
- brookfield zoo
- Status
According to @Valencia, Puzzle the Matschie's tree kangaroo, who arrived from Toronto Zoo last year and had been living off-exhibit, has passed away due to heart complications.
Oh no
How sad. Thanks for sharing.GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
According to @Valencia, Puzzle the Matschie's tree kangaroo, who arrived from Toronto Zoo last year and had been living off-exhibit, has passed away due to heart complications.
This is why I feel it is crucial that the zoo display all its animals. When we keep holding animals "behind the scenes" we miss animals like puzzle.
The public "missing out" on certain species is not good enough justification to display every single animal in a zoos collection. There are reasons why certain individuals aren't seen by visitors; they could be especially sensitive, be off-show for breeding purposes, or simply wouldn't make good exhibit animals. In Puzzle's case there just wasn't an appropriate place in the zoo to put her, but she was intended to go on-exhibit next year once the new Australia habitats are constructed. I imagine a new tree kangaroo will arrive in the near future, as they've been discussed for the project several times.
Awww man. To hear Puzzle couldn't survive due to health conditions before her grand debut is the biggest loss for the zoo so far. Sure there's the possibility of another tree kangaroo in her place, but still a shame.
Here is a look at the newly renovated reticulated python exhibit in Reptiles and Birds. The exhibit has seen a 50% increase in size by being expanded into an adjacent terrarium, three new heat structures have been added, the mesh ceiling was lowered, lightning has been improved, and the exhibit walls were repainted.
Brookfield Zoo Visit Report, 11/18/2023
Finally back in town for Thanksgiving and what's the first thing I do? Head to the zoo of course! What can I say, there are few places I'd rather be on a sunny day.
There have been numerous exciting additions recently that I’ve been eager to see, but firstly I have several notes of interest.
News and Updates:
The tufted capuchins that arrived from Ochsner Park Zoo earlier this year are finally on-exhibit in Tropic World South America. It seems they are still getting acclimated, as the squirrel monkeys and spider monkeys were not on display meaning the capuchins had the whole space to themselves.
Aquatic caecilians have taken up residence in the former Giant salamander exhibit in The Swamp.
The former Blanding's turtle exhibit area in the Hamill Family Play Zoo is now an exhibit for the zoo's white ball python, Casper.
The middle bear enclosure is closed, so I imagine Hope is denned up for the season now.
A majority of the electronic signage in Reptiles and Birds has been replaced by physical signs. Only about five or six exhibits still have rotating electronic signage. The signage in this house has always been terrible, so I am very happy about this and hope they finish the job.
A photo gallery has been installed along the exterior of The Living Coast which includes 32 photographs of wildlife and landscapes from Peru, showcasing the zoo’s conservation work in Punta San Juan.
The best photo I was able to get of the tufted capuchins. They preferred to stay near the back of the area.
Example of new signs in Reptiles and Birds. Down with electronic signage!
Tropical Forests Construction Update:
After eight months of construction, Tropical Forests is really beginning to take shape. And when I say that, I mean the Gorilla Conservation Center is really beginning to take shape. Construction of the outdoor enclosures hasn't started yet. However, they've really made a dent in the new gorilla house over the last few months. Work has started on the second level and the skeleton of the whole building can be seen. The primary gorilla viewing area connected to the building is in place and you can visualize where the viewing windows on both levels will be installed. In between the floors, you may also notice the the transfer chutes that the gorillas will use to access their outdoor enclosures. Support structures are also in place for the viewing deck that will protrude out of the second floor.
With completion slated for about a year and a half from now, it’s exciting to watch everything become closer to reality. We've known about this project for years but actually seeing the work in person and observing the skeleton of the building tower over everything else in the area, it hit me just how monumental this development is. Can't wait to see how the outdoor habitats progress in the coming months.
Gorilla Conservation Center construction; coming along nicely.
Animal Highlights:
Like I said, there were several recent additions from the last few months that I’ve been excited to see and I had good luck with everything but the sengis, which remained in their back-of-house area and are likely still acclimating to public view. In Desert's Edge, Johan the Pallas' cat was extremely active moving all around his enclosure. He is a very charming addition who fits the space quite nicely. Rio the ocelot was eyeing me down from the top right corner of the exhibit behind a fake plant, probably jealous of all the attention his new neighbor across the bridge is getting. Solis the sand cat meanwhile was fast asleep in a cardboard box, but was still nice to see. I do miss the black-footed cat, but sand cats are just as good in my opinion.
The flamingos were also nice to see and they fit better in The Swamp then I expected. Two of them were right by the glass and seemed very interested in visitors. For a small group of juveniles the space works, although I reckon it’s unlikely they will remain here long-term. The zoo’s associate director of avian care mentioned in this interview that they would like to eventually grow the flock to roughly 80 animals. Even if all three greenhouse aviaries are combined soon as planned, that still wouldn't be sufficient for such a large number of birds so I think it’s likely we will see an outdoor flamingo aviary down the line as part of the master plan.
Lastly, I really enjoyed my time in Reptiles and Birds today. Both the Gray's and Argus monitors were moving all over their exhibit areas and were interacting with the public through the glass. It was also nice to see the reticulated pythons in their newly expanded enclosure. It was already a good size previously, but by combining it with the adjacent terrarium it is so much better. Seeing a space that allows a large snake like this to fully extend is much less common than it should be and I must applaud the zoo for improving on this.
Johan, the photogenic Pallas' cat is a terrific addition.
The revamped python enclosure may be among one of the best large snake exhibits I've ever seen. More zoos should take note...
Finally back in town for Thanksgiving and what's the first thing I do? Head to the zoo of course! What can I say, there are few places I'd rather be on a sunny day.
There have been numerous exciting additions recently that I’ve been eager to see, but firstly I have several notes of interest.News and Updates:
The tufted capuchins that arrived from Ochsner Park Zoo earlier this year are finally on-exhibit in Tropic World South America. It seems they are still getting acclimated, as the squirrel monkeys and spider monkeys were not on display meaning the capuchins had the whole space to themselves.
Aquatic caecilians have taken up residence in the former Giant salamander exhibit in The Swamp.
The former Blanding's turtle exhibit area in the Hamill Family Play Zoo is now an exhibit for the zoo's white ball python, Casper.
The middle bear enclosure is closed, so I imagine Hope is denned up for the season now.
A majority of the electronic signage in Reptiles and Birds has been replaced by physical signs. Only about five or six exhibits still have rotating electronic signage. The signage in this house has always been terrible, so I am very happy about this and hope they finish the job.
A photo gallery has been installed along the exterior of The Living Coast which includes 32 photographs of wildlife and landscapes from Peru, showcasing the zoo’s conservation work in Punta San Juan.
The best photo I was able to get of the tufted capuchins. They preferred to stay near the back of the area.
Example of new signs in Reptiles and Birds. Down with electronic signage!
Tropical Forests Construction Update:
After eight months of construction, Tropical Forests is really beginning to take shape. And when I say that, I mean the Gorilla Conservation Center is really beginning to take shape. Construction of the outdoor enclosures hasn't started yet. However, they've really made a dent in the new gorilla house over the last few months. Work has started on the second level and the skeleton of the whole building can be seen. The primary gorilla viewing area connected to the building is in place and you can visualize where the viewing windows on both levels will be installed. In between the floors, you may also notice the the transfer chutes that the gorillas will use to access their outdoor enclosures. Support structures are also in place for the viewing deck that will protrude out of the second floor.
With completion slated for about a year and a half from now, it’s exciting to watch everything become closer to reality. We've known about this project for years but actually seeing the work in person and observing the skeleton of the building tower over everything else in the area, it hit me just how monumental this development is. Can't wait to see how the outdoor habitats progress in the coming months.
Gorilla Conservation Center construction; coming along nicely.
Animal Highlights:
Like I said, there were several recent additions from the last few months that I’ve been excited to see and I had good luck with everything but the sengis, which remained in their back-of-house area and are likely still acclimating to public view. In Desert's Edge, Johan the Pallas' cat was extremely active moving all around his enclosure. He is a very charming addition who fits the space quite nicely. Rio the ocelot was eyeing me down from the top right corner of the exhibit behind a fake plant, probably jealous of all the attention his new neighbor across the bridge is getting.
Solis the sand cat meanwhile was fast asleep in a cardboard box, but was still nice to see. I do miss the black-footed cat, but sand cats are just as good in my opinion.The flamingos were also nice to see and they fit better in The Swamp then I expected. Two of them were right by the glass and seemed very interested in visitors. For a small group of juveniles the space works, although I reckon it’s unlikely they will remain here long-term. The zoo’s associate director of avian care mentioned in this interview that they would like to eventually grow the flock to roughly 80 animals. Even if all three greenhouse aviaries are combined soon as planned, that still wouldn't be sufficient for such a large number of birds so I think it’s likely we will see an outdoor flamingo aviary down the line as part of the master plan.
Lastly, I really enjoyed my time in Reptiles and Birds today. Both the Gray's and Argus monitors were moving all over their exhibit areas and were interacting with the public through the glass. It was also nice to see the reticulated pythons in their newly expanded enclosure. It was already a good size previously, but by combining it with the adjacent terrarium it is so much better. Seeing a space that allows a large snake like this to fully extend is much less common than it should be and I must applaud the zoo for improving on this.
Johan, the photogenic Pallas' cat is a terrific addition.
The revamped python enclosure may be among one of the best large snake exhibits I've ever seen. More zoos should take note...
Attachments
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Nice to see that Brookfield is keeping brown bears. I didn't know what the plan would be once old Axhi passes, so it's great to see that they're permanently having them.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
This is exciting. I wonder if they will rotate with Axhi? It's funny that this was announced as I was just messaging my concerns a week ago.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Yes I believe they will rotate on exhibit. They will not be introduced to each other due to Axhi's age.
DarkShadows
New Member
They were Selous, Prospect, and Masikio. But I frequently go to Niabi before they closed for the season and have only seen Selous and Prospect. So if anyone knows what happened to Masikio that would be great.
I’ve tried asking the zoo several times on social media. The most recent time, my comment was deleted. I don’t think we’ll be getting an answer.
A female cape porcupine named Penny Prickles is now on exhibit in Desert's Edge.
New waterfowl species have arrived and can be seen at The Swamp. They include a male Chiloé wigeon, a male ringed teal, two female and one male rosy-billed pochard, and two male and one female Fulvous whistling duck.
New waterfowl species have arrived and can be seen at The Swamp. They include a male Chiloé wigeon, a male ringed teal, two female and one male rosy-billed pochard, and two male and one female Fulvous whistling duck.
- Status