It says here she was euthanised after a sudden decline in her health and that she’d been suffering from age related issues:
Cincinnati Zoo loses another one of its big cats
19 is still a great age!
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter Mai Thai
- Start date
It says here she was euthanised after a sudden decline in her health and that she’d been suffering from age related issues:
Cincinnati Zoo loses another one of its big cats
19 is still a great age!
That it is. She the last cloudie at Cincinnati?
Yes, she was their last Clouded Leopard.
Fingers crossed Cincinnati obtain a replacement pair.
Through the zoo’s Instagram account, they have announced that “Jomo”, their 30-year old silverback gorilla had unfortunately passed away. The cause of his death is still unknown, but it may have been linked to him dealing with a degenerative, incurable spinal cord condition that he was diagnosed with back in 2019.
Unfortunately highly doubtful as the Night Hunters species list is now a pretty sad shell of what it once was. The department has lost a number of animals and species over the years and the zoo has opted to have empty exhibits or repeat animals than bring in new animals. Not that that is a bad decision though as many of the buildings exhibits are extremely small and subpar. (The building has now lost: Fossa, Bobcat, Fishing Cat, Caracal, Clouded Leopard, Bat-Eared Fox, Screaming-Hairy Armadillo, Tayra, AND Pygmy Loris)
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Unless of course they add natural substrates and somehow install transfer chutes to outdoor habitats?
I'm doubtful that would happen in the near future as they have not added natural substrates thus far (at least since 2011 when it opened) and are now having the priority Elephant and Bear line areas to construct. This would also completely go against the whole point of setting the animals up on a reverse light cycle by them having access outdoors.
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There is no room for outdoor habitats nearby. Based on old photos, it appears there actually used to be substrate in some of the exhibits.
Maybe a whole new Nocturnal House is the best option. I wouldn’t like to see it replacing the current building though; it’s historic and could definitely be renovated into something else.
I always thought that the Night Hunters building might make a decent reptile house with some modifications. Cincinnati's Reptile House is fairly tiny and sad. It's only worth keeping around for it's architectural significance. In a world where the zoo had the space and funding, it would have ceased to hold animals decades ago.
At the end of the day, it's the same old story in Cincinnati, and it's tough to digest for someone who grew up seeing it as one of the premier holders of rare species in the US. The space is limited, the buildings are really neat, but older than dirt and limited in their capacity of keeping animals, and the current zoo climate in general doesn't lend itself to individuality among institutions or acquisitions of new species.
It's a nationwide trend, but I can't think of a zoo that's suffered more from the homogenization of zoo "kept species" list than Cincy. The place has made huge steps forward in updating it's physical plant and actual footprint in terms of area and usable space. Unfortunately, the collection hasn't kept pace with these improvements.
The zoo makes more headlines for deaths in their increasingly elderly collection than it does for species acquisition. I know that's an oversimplification, but it's absolutely boring and bleak. I guess I'll just wait for the inevitable breeding of the hippos and the ill-advised cramming of 4 individuals into that tiny exhibit while the zoo runs a publicity campaign rivaling the Super Bowl to paint it as a Christmas miracle. Barf. At least the gardens are still pretty to look at.
At the end of the day, it's the same old story in Cincinnati, and it's tough to digest for someone who grew up seeing it as one of the premier holders of rare species in the US. The space is limited, the buildings are really neat, but older than dirt and limited in their capacity of keeping animals, and the current zoo climate in general doesn't lend itself to individuality among institutions or acquisitions of new species.
It's a nationwide trend, but I can't think of a zoo that's suffered more from the homogenization of zoo "kept species" list than Cincy. The place has made huge steps forward in updating it's physical plant and actual footprint in terms of area and usable space. Unfortunately, the collection hasn't kept pace with these improvements.
The zoo makes more headlines for deaths in their increasingly elderly collection than it does for species acquisition. I know that's an oversimplification, but it's absolutely boring and bleak. I guess I'll just wait for the inevitable breeding of the hippos and the ill-advised cramming of 4 individuals into that tiny exhibit while the zoo runs a publicity campaign rivaling the Super Bowl to paint it as a Christmas miracle. Barf. At least the gardens are still pretty to look at.
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
What will Elephant Reserve turn into after Elephant Trek opens?
Though I'm sure there's a deliberate answer somewhere out there, it's only speculated white rhinos will take their place. For some reason I've also heard rumors of another Giraffe herd and Zebras filling the space too.
I know the cost would be significant in terms of a new filtration system and newly constructed underwater viewing, but the complex would make a nice hippo exhibit if the zoo is really interested in cranking out babies and housing a decent-sized group.
Polar bear fan
Well-Known Member
We can only hope they’ll give those hippos more space, especially since they will want babies in the future… They are the zoo’s signature animal so it’s certainly possible. That being said, they’ll have spent so much money on the elephant trek, penguin, kangaroo, bear, and hopefully rhino renovations that I don’t know if they’d want to do so much work on two other exhibits (that being the elephant house and current hippo yard). Especially since it’d be incredibly easy to fix the elephant yards for white or Indian rhinos or even zebras.
Another option that seems increasingly likely and overall a win for the zoo and those of us who’ve been witnessing the recent exodus is using Sabu’s yard for the visayan warty pigs. Their exhibit is going to be converted into a black rhino yard and there would be VERY minimal renovation necessary if they moved into Sabu’s current space. They fit the theme of the building, they’re an appropriate size, and they’re an endangered species that the zoo will hopefully continue to pursue.
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Polar bear fan
Well-Known Member
Does anyone here know the timeline of the new polar bear exhibit? I have a feeling that they weren’t expecting to lose three bears so close to one another. I know they said that it was supposed to be built op sometime between Roo Valley and Elephant Trek, but they haven’t even released an official plan yet as far as I can find.
The plans will be released soon, so I've been told. Polar bears are out of the question - it's rumored it will be home to another North American bear with the addition of a couple of other native species.
It does appear Polar Bear are out of the masterplan now, recent news articles fail to mention them.
Polar bear fan
Well-Known Member
Wow, I’m shocked. I thought they’d try for polar bears even if it took years to secure one. I even had a feeling that was why Kulu was in St. Paul. A grizzly exhibit will certainly be an exciting exhibit though, and no doubt fits the near by wolf woods theme. Hopefully plans have changed, it’d be a shame see Cincinnati without polar bears. That being said I do know the current population isn’t exactly breeding well.
If they were to keep Polar bears, their aim would be to breed, and they don't have the proper indoor space to go through with a breeding program. These rumors also don't mention grizzlies but of course, nothing is confirmed.
I'm always surprised to see people mention Wolf Woods and the grottoes together in a sentence. On the map, the two attractions are touching, but based on the guest flow/viewing, they're no where near each other.
Polar bear fan
Well-Known Member
You’re 100% right about that. They don’t have enough space for an adult pair, cubs, and a den. I apologize too, I assumed grizzlies since they sent out the black bears a while ago and grizzlies are typically the polar bear replacement of choice. They’re much more lively and seem to be more available.