Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo News 2008-2009

The Okapi had a very nice enclosure as part of the Vanishing Giants complex at the elephant house. It was there from 2000? to 2006.

It's eldest female (and #1 ranked female okapi in the SSP) was moved to the African Veldt winter 2006/07, she is now the zoo's only okapi. The SSP is working to providing another male for Lisala Li.

The zoo's previous two okapi - a younger female has been shipped out to Wichita, KS and its only male, Sungura, died earlier this year.
 
okapikpr said:
The Okapi had a very nice enclosure as part of the Vanishing Giants complex at the elephant house. It was there from 2000? to 2006.

It's eldest female (and #1 ranked female okapi in the SSP) was moved to the African Veldt winter 2006/07, she is now the zoo's only okapi. The SSP is working to providing another male for Lisala Li.

The zoo's previous two okapi - a younger female has been shipped out to Wichita, KS and its only male, Sungura, died earlier this year.
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I guess they didn't have it too bad in VG. It was better than their old elephant house setup and undoubtedly better than their current spot. At least there was some cover in VG. She was just kind of hiding out the other day, peeping her head out of the Veldt grotto and twitching her legs when visible. Maybe it was just bugs getting to her. I have to admit I've been a little disappointed by Cincinnati's ability to evolve with other US zoos in terms of exhibit improvements. I know a lot (if not all) is tied to the parking fiasco and very urban setting (making it almost impossible to expand), but I think they could do better in a lot of areas. To be fair though, my trip the other day was a good one and for the first time in a while (Since the days of Ed Maruska) I thought things were going in the right direction. If only they could get a new Reptile facility...........
 
groundskeeper24 said:
I guess they didn't have it too bad in VG. It was better than their old elephant house setup and undoubtedly better than their current spot. At least there was some cover in VG. She was just kind of hiding out the other day, peeping her head out of the Veldt grotto and twitching her legs when visible. Maybe it was just bugs getting to her. I have to admit I've been a little disappointed by Cincinnati's ability to evolve with other US zoos in terms of exhibit improvements. I know a lot (if not all) is tied to the parking fiasco and very urban setting (making it almost impossible to expand), but I think they could do better in a lot of areas. To be fair though, my trip the other day was a good one and for the first time in a while (Since the days of Ed Maruska) I thought things were going in the right direction. If only they could get a new Reptile facility...........
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Cincinnati had "lost its way" after long-time Director Ed Maruska retired. His successor was not a zoo man, as Ed was, but rather a finance guy. He focused - at the Board's direction, apparently - on generating revenues. Then time was lost in the search for a new director. I expect that things will get back on track now (I have confidence in this new Director. He has been at Cincinnati for decades!)
 
I know for certain that Cincinnati is back on track...they have been very quiet over the past decade. Everyone should expect quite a bit in the next decade. Greg Hudson wasnt a Ed Maruska, but what Hudson did accomplish was building the unseen foundation for what is to come...
 
I am looking for information and data concerning the bonobo group at the Cincinnati Zoo, their enclosure (area, altitude), group structure and changes in 2007 and 2008 (births, deaths, transfers)...

Can you help me??

Thanks a lot
Bjoern
 
BjoernN said:
I am looking for information and data concerning the bonobo group at the Cincinnati Zoo, their enclosure (area, altitude), group structure and changes in 2007 and 2008 (births, deaths, transfers)...

Can you help me??

Thanks a lot
Bjoern
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there was a birth there March 25th. 2009
 
Video of a takin calf born last month

 
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okapikpr said:
Vine Street Entrance reopens....

Cincinnati Zoo Goes Green To Revive Past - Cincinnati News Story - WLWT Cincinnati
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This is a pretty big deal to me as a member of this zoo. They (on the main site) seem to want to re-establish this entrance as the main entrance of the zoo. If this is the case then the old "new" entrance will leave a lot of space for expansion in the parking lot, part of which has already been utilized for giraffe ridge. I think this is a terrific idea and hope that the parking at the vine entrance helps address that issue as it has dogged the zoo forever, it seems. It would be nice to see the current Veldt transformed into an expanded Rhino Reserve or added to the expansion/rennovation of the cat facitliies on the adjacent hill. The front lot could become a new African Savannah and the new entrace could become an Asian themed area with elephants and Sumatran rhinos as the centerpieces. I'm excited about the possibilites no matter what they do.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
This is a pretty big deal to me as a member of this zoo. They (on the main site) seem to want to re-establish this entrance as the main entrance of the zoo. If this is the case then the old "new" entrance will leave a lot of space for expansion in the parking lot, part of which has already been utilized for giraffe ridge. I think this is a terrific idea and hope that the parking at the vine entrance helps address that issue as it has dogged the zoo forever, it seems. It would be nice to see the current Veldt transformed into an expanded Rhino Reserve or added to the expansion/rennovation of the cat facitliies on the adjacent hill. The front lot could become a new African Savannah and the new entrace could become an Asian themed area with elephants and Sumatran rhinos as the centerpieces. I'm excited about the possibilites no matter what they do.
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Yay for Cincinnati Zoo members!

I keep hearing that the whole present main entrance lot is going to be an African Savannah (which makes sense as the Cheetah Encounter is there next to Giraffe Ridge). My only fear there is....well, what are we going to put there? Rhino to Elephant to Giraffe to Cheetah already makes a nice 'African' line. I'd like to see some antelope (something the zoo is short in) but...something tells me it's going to be hard to get people excited and to the zoo to see some "deer"
 
Well honestly I'd love to see them bring the hippos back. In Ed Maruska's farewell letter he mentioned something about an African river theme with hippos and crocs. Would be welcome additions to the collection if you ask me. Also, a new home for the okapis would be great. Antelope and zebras are staples and could have their place, too. Also, I personally would like to see some carnivores like hyenas (can't remember them ever being at the zoo other than the aardwolves that shared space with the colobus monkeys back in the day) or even the return of wild dogs.

There's also always room for more North or South American species in Cincy. They've never had much in that department.
 
groundskeeper24 said:
Well honestly I'd love to see them bring the hippos back. In Ed Maruska's farewell letter he mentioned something about an African river theme with hippos and crocs. Would be welcome additions to the collection if you ask me. Also, a new home for the okapis would be great. Antelope and zebras are staples and could have their place, too. Also, I personally would like to see some carnivores like hyenas (can't remember them ever being at the zoo other than the aardwolves that shared space with the colobus monkeys back in the day) or even the return of wild dogs.

There's also always room for more North or South American species in Cincy. They've never had much in that department.
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I'd be a fan of hippos as I've still never been to a zoo that showcases them (which is a shame). I think the only problem with going 'African' in the parking lot is creating space other places. Sure, you could move the lions or the zebras or bongo over there. But then you'd have blank space in the center of a tightly packed zoo.

There's a 40 million dollar upgrade PDF floating around somewhere with plans for the zoo and parts of it have been done and after Vine's Entrance...all that has yet to be done is upgrades to rhinos, cat canyon and gorilla world. However, it doesn't mention anything about giraffe ridge (which is clearly done).
 
video of the baby bonobo from youtube

 
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