Apparently the capybara and tortoises will be staying and moved elsewhere in the zoo. As far as where exactly they will go, I have no idea.
Brookfield Zoo Brookfield Zoo news 2025
- Thread starter MeiLover
- Start date
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Possibly tropic world for the capybara? It could see both of them moving to the children’s zoo (either).
That crossed my mind, but the zoo is gradually moving away from keeping larger mammals indoors year-round; first with the tapirs and pygmy hippo moving out of Tropic World, now the apes. I guess they could be mixed with the llamas, but it's unlikely as that exhibit lacks a water feature. I'm honestly surprised they're keeping the capybara around considering they're down to one individual and they won't be getting a new exhibit until the South American Pantanal area is built, which is one of the furthest off projects in the master plan.
Unless they're being kept off-exhibit, entirely new enclosures would need to be built for either species -- which admittedly is much more plausible for the tortoises.
@pachyderm pro, any indications when or what timeline the BZS is to take on this new project in the future (yes, working on Great Ape / Primate House right now)?
NOTA BENE: I do view the Pachyderm House one of their essential must do priorities for the immediate future!
The plan is to complete Gateway to Africa within the next five years, in phases I assume. Looks like preliminary work on the pachyderm house will begin shortly. It has been suggested however that the new Australia exhibit may come first, so I anticipate that being the next project following Tropical Forests.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
I wonder what will go in the old gorilla habitat, it’s pretty big! Maybe mandrills or some other larger African primate.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
It’s my understanding that it will still remain a gorilla habitat. Midwestern winters necessitate large indoor areas for tropical apes.
The gorillas are being moved out completely - entirely new holding spaces/a new dayroom are being constructed adjoining Tropic World, and the gorillas'll access their outdoor habitats via overhead chutes. Orangutans and gibbons will be the only apes with indoor quarters within Tropic World.
The video below has a sneak preview of the gorillas' new dayroom.
Considering they have emptied the north side of the Pachyderm building first, I wonder if we may see both the current Australia site and Pachyderm House site close at once and construction beginning on Australia and Gateway to Africa simultaneously? It sounds very over-ambitious but this seems to be the area a lot of the emptying is taking place.
There's been no official word from the zoo on this so far. I've been watching close.
I was expecting mandrill at one point as they would benefit from the larger space, are running low on holders, are more ground-dwelling and have mixed with gorillas before. (Not to say they would mix here, but that their needs overlap enough that a former gorilla enclosure could work.)
I am more of a chimpanzee guy. But honestly thinking about it, mandrills would easily benefit from the old indoor gorilla exhibit much easier.
You know when I first found out gorillas were getting an outdoor enclosure in the early 2010s, I actually did think at one point, 'oh, they could put chimpanzee or bonobo in the old gorilla exhibit'. This was before concerns about all-indoor ape exhibits were something I fully understood, I was just focused on the idea of having three ape species. Silly.
Yes, they were in the mixed area until 13-14 years ago, and at one point hybridized with a mangabey.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
Wow there is so much to look forward to. I got to so much to say and ask, but here are my main points.
Does anyone know if Layla the rhino stayed too?
I also would like to believe that in a perfect world the tapirs could have joined the capybara, but maybe thats just planet zoo getting it wrong and me just finding tapirs too fascinating to lose. I trust the keepers though and know they know what they are doing.
In another perfect world, I think it would be awesome if for the gorilla bachelor troop that they brought in males who previously resided at the zoo, but I know deep down that it isn't that easy and probably wouldn't be in the animals best interest.
Now something a little more realistic. What surprises do you think will await once tropic world reopens? Do you think we will see some new species right away or will it be a gradual introduction?
Does anyone know if Layla the rhino stayed too?
I also would like to believe that in a perfect world the tapirs could have joined the capybara, but maybe thats just planet zoo getting it wrong and me just finding tapirs too fascinating to lose. I trust the keepers though and know they know what they are doing.
In another perfect world, I think it would be awesome if for the gorilla bachelor troop that they brought in males who previously resided at the zoo, but I know deep down that it isn't that easy and probably wouldn't be in the animals best interest.
Now something a little more realistic. What surprises do you think will await once tropic world reopens? Do you think we will see some new species right away or will it be a gradual introduction?
Layla is staying for now. She probably won't be shipped out until construction really begins to ramp up.
The only new species I'd expect to be added to the building are whatever ends up replacing the gorillas. Otherwise, the species lineup should largely be similar to what it is currently.
ContraryPython
Active Member
Don’t expect new species, but I personally hope the exhibits look less brutalist.
GibbonGuy95
Well-Known Member
So after my thoughts and questions post, I got a call from a friend that they wanted to go to the zoo yesterday and since I am now a member I said yes ( forgot yesterday was a free day lol)
Here is my recap:
The Swamp:
-The new aviary remodel looks amazing with all the new additions. I watched a really hilarious moment where the flamingos were all in the same area looking at one flamingo who had his wings open and was making noise. I think he was trying to stage an uprising lol
-The tank that had the freshwater rays and turtles is still empty but now has water.
-I think river otter charlotte may have passed away as her exhibit was closed and drained, of course id like to be more positive and assume that it had to do with a water leak a while back.
-I dont really pay too attention to reptiles but, I feel as though there were some shake ups not only in this part, but in other areas too in regards to them.
Australia
-Tried to see the Bettong, didn't see them, but I'm glad the space is finally occupied again.
Living Coast
It would appear that both species of Jellyfish are gone as signage has been removed and a sign new habitat is shown
-I made friends with a fish in the moray eel tank
Habitat Africa the Forest
-no pangolin luck again
-Something is happening at the walk way near the red river hog and okapi yards, there was caution tape up
Here is my recap:
The Swamp:
-The new aviary remodel looks amazing with all the new additions. I watched a really hilarious moment where the flamingos were all in the same area looking at one flamingo who had his wings open and was making noise. I think he was trying to stage an uprising lol
-The tank that had the freshwater rays and turtles is still empty but now has water.
-I think river otter charlotte may have passed away as her exhibit was closed and drained, of course id like to be more positive and assume that it had to do with a water leak a while back.
-I dont really pay too attention to reptiles but, I feel as though there were some shake ups not only in this part, but in other areas too in regards to them.
Australia
-Tried to see the Bettong, didn't see them, but I'm glad the space is finally occupied again.
Living Coast
It would appear that both species of Jellyfish are gone as signage has been removed and a sign new habitat is shown
-I made friends with a fish in the moray eel tank
Habitat Africa the Forest
-no pangolin luck again
-Something is happening at the walk way near the red river hog and okapi yards, there was caution tape up
Charlotte was on exhibit last week, it could be routine maintenance.
The zoo typically closes that part of the path in winter. The okapis and red river hogs typically aren’t out in winter.
New updates on Tropical Forests were featured in the latest (and final!) edition of the Gateways member magazine:
-Last month the gorillas moved to the new Gorilla Conservation Center adjacent to Tropic World. The bachelor troop has not yet arrived.
-In the future, the white-cheeked gibbons will be given access to the outdoor orangutan exhibit and the two species will be mixed together.
-Five more black-handed spider monkeys recently came to the zoo from San Diego Zoo Safari Park, individuals that were confiscated from wildlife traffickers by the USDA. The spider monkeys and tufted capuchins will be the first of the neotropical monkeys to get access to the outdoor exhibit.
Gateways_Spring_2025_flip
-Last month the gorillas moved to the new Gorilla Conservation Center adjacent to Tropic World. The bachelor troop has not yet arrived.
-In the future, the white-cheeked gibbons will be given access to the outdoor orangutan exhibit and the two species will be mixed together.
-Five more black-handed spider monkeys recently came to the zoo from San Diego Zoo Safari Park, individuals that were confiscated from wildlife traffickers by the USDA. The spider monkeys and tufted capuchins will be the first of the neotropical monkeys to get access to the outdoor exhibit.
Gateways_Spring_2025_flip
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Nice, these are all sounding like good additions to the outdoor exhibits.
Just about a season or two until we truly see the final expansion in its glory.
I am very, very excited about the gibbon-orangutan mix -- you know I was arguing strongly in favor of this last year until I started hearing it might not be possible with the current plans, so really excited to know this may actually happen! I know a few guests, myself included, discussed with docents the idea as well. I'll have to find something more pie-in-the-sky to shoot for next!
Also glad to see we're getting more spider monkeys, too -- should ensure lots of activity in the South American monkey habitat with a spider-capuchin mix. Really excited to see how that exhibit shapes up, too and if the squirrel monkeys and crested capuchins can eventually join them outside. It could become a very dynamic environment.
Also cool to know the gorillas are enjoying their new exhibit already! This gives them a good few months to get used to it before we get to experience it with them.
It looks like the zoo is taking it's time with these changes, which is great - the animals will hopefully be more than comfortable by the time the exhibit is complete, but it also sounds to me progress will continue in the future. The phrasing around the gibbons and monkeys suggest they may continue experimenting and easing in changes long-term, which is great. An evolving exhibit is smart thinking.
I also love the mention that the exhibit was made with geriatric animals in mind, too. That's thinking ahead!
Very sad to read this is Gateways' final issue. We've been members for most of the last fifteen years (with gaps between expiration and next visit) so I have issues going back to before Great Bear Wilderness opened. I was disappointed to see the print run end and seeing the whole magazine go felt like an inevitable step but I'm still sorry to see it...