Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Today the zoo announced that two little blue penguin chicks hatched at the end of December!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo News 2024
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AndrewH100
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According to the zoo map, it looks like Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast has been delayed until 2025. Anyone know more?
I found this out from the signage around the construction. All I can personally say is they're putting all of their focus on Elephant Trek and Bear construction looks like it hasn't been touched for months.According to the zoo map, it looks like Bear Ridge and Sea Otter Coast has been delayed until 2025. Anyone know more?
AndrewH100
Active Member
I guess that makes sense, also from a marketing standpoint it probably makes sense to open a single new exhibit and not 2 in the same year. Thank you
Jonathan Petersson
Well-Known Member
Yes the project has due to issues with the construction of the former bear line and as other members have mentioned prioritizing Elephant Trek which is supposed to open this summer.
A couple updates for 2024 so far:
Snoop Log the famous Alligator Gar has passed away.
This is the last year for the Penguin Parade at the zoo due to the King Penguins advanced age.
The walk-through Kea enclosure has reopened for the season.
Interesting about the penguins. Is the zoo planning on phasing out the kings?
First baby of the year!!
A female lesser kudu calf was born on January 15th to first-time mom, Sabi. The calf is being handreared as Sabi wasn’t showing appropriate care for her calf.
Lesser Kudu Calf Born at the Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
A female lesser kudu calf was born on January 15th to first-time mom, Sabi. The calf is being handreared as Sabi wasn’t showing appropriate care for her calf.
Lesser Kudu Calf Born at the Cincinnati Zoo - Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
Jonathan Petersson
Well-Known Member
I would assume not and that they will receive new Kings in the future but I have no clue. The Antarctic penguin enclosure is on the smaller side so it just will depend on what the zoo wants to do going forwards. Last year they moved out two male Magellanic Penguin leaving just a female behind so they could be a potential phase-out instead. As for the rockhoppers the zoo is seems to be very committed to them with the importation of new individuals a couple years ago and the bird department working to breed them.
Side note but forgot to mention in my last post that the zoo has updated their website and it is pretty accurate species wise. Overall a much better design to the former. Link to it can be found here: Cincinnati Zoo | Accredited Member of the AZA
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Joseph G
Well-Known Member
The two Magellanics spent the rest of the year outside in Penguin Point.
Jonathan Petersson
Well-Known Member
Oh that's very interesting to hear, one of the younger docents told me otherwise but it makes sense as they are not always 100% correct. I wonder why the female did not join them as well?
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
A 0.1 screaming hairy armadillo named Bell has moved to the Mesker Park Zoo in Evansville, Indiana.
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden
Interview with keeper re. hippopotamus breeding plans:
https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-zoo-fiona-tucker-breeding-future-plans/46490711
Does Fiona already have a future mate in Hippo Cove? Zookeepers breakdown plans
There’s no plans to breed expand the bloat for the foreseeable (for obvious reasons).
Fiona is mentioned as being a genetic match for Tucker. Breeding from her in the long term future hasn’t yet been discounted; but as noted by the keeper, it will depend on her size/health.
I’d personally be surprised if ever a decision was made to breed from her.
"They are a genetic match with each other, but like I said, those decisions are going to depend more on Fiona's size and health, more than anything," Tewes said. "If and when that day should come when she breeds, Tucker is a genetic match for her."
https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-zoo-fiona-tucker-breeding-future-plans/46490711
Does Fiona already have a future mate in Hippo Cove? Zookeepers breakdown plans
There’s no plans to breed expand the bloat for the foreseeable (for obvious reasons).
Fiona is mentioned as being a genetic match for Tucker. Breeding from her in the long term future hasn’t yet been discounted; but as noted by the keeper, it will depend on her size/health.
I’d personally be surprised if ever a decision was made to breed from her.
"They are a genetic match with each other, but like I said, those decisions are going to depend more on Fiona's size and health, more than anything," Tewes said. "If and when that day should come when she breeds, Tucker is a genetic match for her."
I'd be very concerned with breeding Fiona due to her possible health problems as a preemie. Though I'm sure the animal care staff will make the best possible decision. Though it can't be denied that the current facilities are grossly undersized and an expansion should be taken into serious consideration for animal welfare/management.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
I also think that the zoo's best bet is to keep Fiona on birth control, at least for the next few years.
ZooNerd
Well-Known Member
I’d think the zoo has talked about expansions for the hippos but since they have other extensive projects (elephant trek, sea otter and black bear exhibits) they don’t have near enough money to afford a hippo expansion (they have already had to shrink elephant trek for the other animals like siamangs a bit and push back the time slot for the black bear and sea otter exhibits due to budget restraints).
Oh yeah that.
I'd say just expand into the wild dog area and maybe into the antelope area. I'd have to look at the layout again but moving the giraffes will certainly free up space.
Jonathan Petersson
Well-Known Member
Elephant Trek was not shrunk due to new habitats for the siamangs which were always planned for this project and it opening earlier then the planned 2026 date released back in 2018. The reason for the habitat being five acres rather then eight is the zoo was not able to purchase the piece of property on the strip of land bellow the zoo that was originally intended for the project.
The news likes to exaggerate the hippo station making it seems that Fiona will have a calf in the future but that is not the case. The zoo does not currently plan on breeding Fiona due to suspected issues with her reproductive system. Even in the above article Mr. Tewes, one of the members of the Africa Department states “Nothing at the moment. Not for the foreseeable future.” In response to the question if Fiona will be bred. The animal care staff at the Cincinnati Zoo are highly talented professionals that know the best methods to taking care of the hippo pod including not breeding Fiona at this present time.
The bear line construction was pushed back due to issues obtaining equipment from supply shortages and the arrival of the Dublin elephants.
There were plans I believe in development pre-Covid for a renovation of the Africa habitat with an expanded hippo enclosure but I am unsure if these are still in the works or will ever come to fruition.
The problem here is that Bibi wasn't supposed to be bred, either. They said the same things after Fiona was born. Birth control doesn't work well in hippos, though, and she ended up pregnant twice. Unless Fiona is physically incapable of conceiving, they don't know that she won't get pregnant.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Joseph G
Well-Known Member
Couple notes from yesterday:
- The parking lot between Vine St. and Euclid Ave. is closed while they add the same shading with solar panels on top as the main Vine St. parking lot.
- If you plan on attending any of the remaining penguin parades, get there early. If you are not able to get there early, head to the outdoor cockatoo tree between Birds of the World and the Outdoor Aviary, as no one seems to know this little nook exists.
- Speaking of the Outdoor Aviary, the Kea encounters are up and running. Free and a very cool opportunity to be up close and personal with some special birds.
- The (probable) blue duiker habitat in Jungle Trails has progressed significantly since my last visit:
- The area between Manatee Springs and Dragons! is closed for some plumbing work. It also looks like this closure might just also be for Elephant Trek plaza construction.
- Finally, earlier in this thread, I mentioned two Magellanics had moved from Birds of the World to Penguin Point. I did not see them in either exhibit.
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