Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo News 2022

Moebelle said:
Just realized that wouldn't make sense, there would be no direct gorilla sibling at the zoo.
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It would be too early for rhino too, Seiya just gave birth in 2020 so it’s too early for that. There’s no okapi sibling at the zoo, but their pair has had plenty of calves. Hippos seem sensible, but do they even have enough space if it’s a male calf? Red pandas and tamanduas on the other hand each would have a sibling at the zoo and could give birth soon.
 
Polar bear fan said:
It would be too early for rhino too, Seiya just gave birth in 2020 so it’s too early for that. There’s no okapi sibling at the zoo, but their pair has had plenty of calves. Hippos seem sensible, but do they even have enough space if it’s a male calf? Red pandas and tamanduas on the other hand each would have a sibling at the zoo and could give birth soon.
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I don't think lack of space precludes the possibility of it being a hippo. People can say that they don't intend to breed Bibi and Tucker all they want, but they brought him in for a reason, and it wasn't just to take up space in the exhibit.

The zoo basically hitched it's wagons to Fiona as it's collection dwindled at a startlingly expedient rate. Fiona is getting big and her time as a zoo baby is nearly over. Would anyone put it past them to have another cash cow in the oven?

It would be very easy for them to just call it a happy accident. Most of the general zoo-going public won't give a rip and will likely be excited to go through Fiona 2.0 on social media and at the park.
 
Polar bear fan said:
The zoo posted a photo of an ultrasound for National siblings Day. No announcement yet, so we don’t know the species, but it’s likely a large mammal since they released a photo. Hippo, Rhino, and okapi could all be expecting by this point, but I’m no doctor so for all I know it could be another tamandua.
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this is going to sound stupid but is it possible it’s a new Bonobo?
 
I got word on Facebook their only wildebeest Mike, was moved to an unspecified zoo in 'West Texas'.
 
Polar bear fan said:
The zoo posted a photo of an ultrasound for National siblings Day. No announcement yet, so we don’t know the species, but it’s likely a large mammal since they released a photo. Hippo, Rhino, and okapi could all be expecting by this point, but I’m no doctor so for all I know it could be another tamandua.
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Almost 100% of people on social media are guessing hippo, which is more of a reflection of their hopes for a baby hippo than any logical reasoning.

My guess is Okapi. If that’s what appears to be the neck, it’s quite long; with what looks like a foot sticking out above.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Almost 100% of people on social media are guessing hippo, which is more of a reflection of their hopes for a baby hippo than any logical reasoning.

My guess is Okapi. If that’s what appears to be the neck, it’s quite long; with what looks like a foot sticking out above.
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Just goes to show how big hippos are in the eyes of the GP. Looking at the ultrasound though I’d be surprised if it wasn’t a baby hippo given how similar the photo is to Bibi’s last. I also wouldn’t be surprised if they did everything they could to keep Fiona and look to expand their hippo exhibit if possible. But could also see them using the new baby as the mention “cash cow” and moving her out. Also I personally feel their most recent post all but confirms everyone's suspicions but I fear we’re all speculating at this point and should wait for the official announcement from the zoo.


Edit: No announcement on the zoo's page. However a fairly reliable source has advised me we are correct and it is indeed a baby hippo on the way.
 
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Moebelle said:
Plans for the Bear Hill and more from the master plan have been released!

Upcoming Zoo Projects

North American Habitat

The Cincinnati Zoo’s Bear Hill habitat was ahead of its time when built in 1937, with a barless design and technique of using “gunite” to simulate rockwork. But the area hasn’t aged well and needs a refresh – both to provide best of care for our animals and a better visitor experience. Factoring in the current habitat’s age and space limitations on its hilly site required a lot of consideration from animal care and facilities teams, but we have landed on a terrific solution: create open spaces to showcase North American species. The new plan includes converting the lower grotto into a saltwater system for Sea Otters.

A larger, multi-species habitat would go into the combined middle grottos, and at the top of the hill we will highlight species who can take advantage of vertical spaces, such as birds. The refreshed space will give visitors an exciting and more intimate view of the habitats and animals.
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As unfeasible as this idea might be, I genuinely would like to see something like this come to fruition for the "larger, multi-species" habitat. Most likely it's gonna be black bears. I'm just wishing for a bear species in terms of Cincinnati's route towards becoming an "optimized" city zoo that hits all the major marks.
 

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Regarding the Cincinnati Zoos new projects, I do think they missed a huge opportunity here in some ways. For example the expansion of giraffe ridge, you know the one thing I never understood with the Cincinnati Zoos African exhibit is why they never put their giraffes with others. I feel like if they moved the lions to where the elephant house is now, combine the giraffe yard, the current lion yard with the savanna I feel like that would be an impressive exhibit. That way their giraffes, Ungulates, etc are all mixed together.

Regarding the rhino reserve why not make it an African Forest theme? You could have the Okapis, Bongos, and Black Rhinos still but at the same time bring in other rare African forest animals. To my understanding they already flamingos in their African exhibit and I don’t recall Cincinnati Zoo currently having zebras but I could be wrong.

with the plans for the old bear hills none of that makes sense. Personally if they’re bringing in Sea Otters why not make that whole area a small aquarium or a coastal exhibit? That sounds stupid I know but they could do different coastal ecosystems like the open ocean, the kelp forest, and coral reefs. These are just examples but that’s my opinion anyway.
 
John Marchwick said:
Regarding the Cincinnati Zoos new projects, I do think they missed a huge opportunity here in some ways. For example the expansion of giraffe ridge, you know the one thing I never understood with the Cincinnati Zoos African exhibit is why they never put their giraffes with others. I feel like if they moved the lions to where the elephant house is now, combine the giraffe yard, the current lion yard with the savanna I feel like that would be an impressive exhibit. That way their giraffes, Ungulates, etc are all mixed together.

Regarding the rhino reserve why not make it an African Forest theme? You could have the Okapis, Bongos, and Black Rhinos still but at the same time bring in other rare African forest animals. To my understanding they already flamingos in their African exhibit and I don’t recall Cincinnati Zoo currently having zebras but I could be wrong.

with the plans for the old bear hills none of that makes sense. Personally if they’re bringing in Sea Otters why not make that whole area a small aquarium or a coastal exhibit? That sounds stupid I know but they could do different coastal ecosystems like the open ocean, the kelp forest, and coral reefs. These are just examples but that’s my opinion anyway.
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1. Cincinnati Zoo has plains zebras in the Veldt area next to the black rhinos. I don't know what will happen to them regarding the Veldt renovation. I'd like to move them to Africa or the new giraffe habitat and mix the eastern bongos with the black rhinos to make a Mount Kenya/Abberdare Range sort of exhibit.

2. I would love to have a giraffe-antelope mixed habitat in Africa, but a visitor path leading to the cheetah show area and a staff gate stand in the way. I suppose a sort of pedestrian bridge with animal passage underneath could partly solve that problem (too low for giraffes though).

3. I think new rhino habitats are a good idea, but Cincinnati doesn't need to be married to black rhinos forever. Any exhibit/barn good enough for black rhinos is good enough for Indian rhinos, too. Not only would that keep the zoo from being too "Africa-centric", but obviously it would present a good opportunity to bring in Asian hoofstock to mix with them as well as perhaps a carnivore across the path in the white lion area (sloth bear or tiger perhaps).

4. If they were to make a larger hippo habitat in Africa without tearing up current visitor pathways, then I believe rehoming the wild dogs would be their best bet so there can be a solid piece of land connecting hippo to the pasture. Redoing of animal holding areas would be necessary to permit any antelope etc. that may be mixed with hippos to have safe exclusion zones.
 
iluvwhales said:
1. Cincinnati Zoo has plains zebras in the Veldt area next to the black rhinos. I don't know what will happen to them regarding the Veldt renovation. I'd like to move them to Africa or the new giraffe habitat and mix the eastern bongos with the black rhinos to make a Mount Kenya/Abberdare Range sort of exhibit.

2. I would love to have a giraffe-antelope mixed habitat in Africa, but a visitor path leading to the cheetah show area and a staff gate stand in the way. I suppose a sort of pedestrian bridge with animal passage underneath could partly solve that problem (too low for giraffes though).

3. I think new rhino habitats are a good idea, but Cincinnati doesn't need to be married to black rhinos forever. Any exhibit/barn good enough for black rhinos is good enough for Indian rhinos, too. Not only would that keep the zoo from being too "Africa-centric", but obviously it would present a good opportunity to bring in Asian hoofstock to mix with them as well as perhaps a carnivore across the path in the white lion area (sloth bear or tiger perhaps).

4. If they were to make a larger hippo habitat in Africa without tearing up current visitor pathways, then I believe rehoming the wild dogs would be their best bet so there can be a solid piece of land connecting hippo to the pasture. Redoing of animal holding areas would be necessary to permit any antelope etc. that may be mixed with hippos to have safe exclusion zones.
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Regarding the zoo not being married to Black Rhinos, unfortunately I believe it is evident that the zoo is largely choosing to focus on megafauna and big revenue species rather than their rarer counterparts. Thane Maynard, the zoo director, has also stated that the Black Rhino is the only animal that has been on the zoo's logo in it's history, and for that sole purpose I doubt he'll want the zoo to part with it.
 
As I will be visiting the zoo for the first time in four years next month, I decided to peruse the zoo's website and found some artist renditions for the renovations of the former bear line and Lords of the Arctic exhibits, dubbed "Bear Ridge" and "Sea Otter Coast", set to open next year:

Black-Bear-Aerial-2.jpg

Small-NA-Cave-Viewing-copy.jpg

Underwater-Viewing-Entry.jpg


Projects - More Home to Roam
 
Kudu21 said:
As I will be visiting the zoo for the first time in four years next month, I decided to peruse the zoo's website and found some artist renditions for the renovations of the former bear line and Lords of the Arctic exhibits, dubbed "Bear Ridge" and "Sea Otter Coast", set to open next year:

Black-Bear-Aerial-2.jpg

Small-NA-Cave-Viewing-copy.jpg

Underwater-Viewing-Entry.jpg


Projects - More Home to Roam
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I am trying to visit the zoo next month; financially it's a big hit for me. Realistically, between the birds and this stuff, would it be better to wait a year or two?
 
TinoPup said:
I am trying to visit the zoo next month; financially it's a big hit for me. Realistically, between the birds and this stuff, would it be better to wait a year or two?
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If you ever only plan on visiting once, and want to get the full experience, and you're willing to wait, I'd wait until Elephant Trek opens. Which I believe was changed to 2024.
 
TinoPup said:
I am trying to visit the zoo next month; financially it's a big hit for me. Realistically, between the birds and this stuff, would it be better to wait a year or two?
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I would agree with @Moebelle. With the zoo announcing today that it has removed birds from exhibit and closed aviaries due to HPAI, and with two major attractions due to come online in the next two years, I would suggest waiting to visit for now. I would not make the trek for the zoo, myself, if I was not going to be in the area for a family function and didn't have friends that work there.
 
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