Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden Cincinnati Zoo News 2024

[Milwaukee Man]

Sabu's transfer also seems to have been pushed back to either later this month or July but he will be returning to Cincinnati soon. The young bulls, Kabir and Sanjay, have undergone plasma treatment to build up their immune systems to the virus allowing for them to interact with Sabu more safely.

An article regarding this; it also states that all three veteran female elephants will eventually be integrated into the herd as well, which I think is new as I thought I read one of the females wasn’t planned to due to dominance issues(?).

Cincinnati Zoo takes steps to keep elephant herd from catching a form of herpes

On a side note, I’d be intrigued to find out how babirusa will be integrated into the complex. Interesting that the Visayan warty pigs weren’t moved instead to give them a new habitat too.

 

[Kudu21]

On a side note, I’d be intrigued to find out how babirusa will be integrated into the complex. Interesting that the Visayan warty pigs weren’t moved instead to give them a new habitat too.

Unfortunately, it appears that Visayan warty pigs are on their way out in North America. There has not been a litter of piglets born since 2022, and the population is starting to age. I really don't know what happened... There was a real population boom in this species about a decade ago, with a lot of new holders coming on, but in recent years it has really collapsed.

 

[wild boar]

Unfortunately, it appears that Visayan warty pigs are on their way out in North America. There has not been a litter of piglets born since 2022, and the population is starting to age. I really don't know what happened... There was a real population boom in this species about a decade ago, with a lot of new holders coming on, but in recent years it has really collapsed.

Are there still enough reproductively capable animals for the population to rebound? I suppose it is equally important for there to be institutional interest, but that is lacking?

 

[15399]

Unfortunately, it appears that Visayan warty pigs are on their way out in North America. There has not been a litter of piglets born since 2022, and the population is starting to age. I really don't know what happened... There was a real population boom in this species about a decade ago, with a lot of new holders coming on, but in recent years it has really collapsed.

Wow, this is news to me. I didn't realize that the population was doing that badly. That said, I suppose it doesn't come as too much of a surprise. Suids are the type of animal in which boom and bust cycles are fairly common in, and the Visayan warty pig may be too small for busts to be surmountable, such as they are in warthogs, etc. Furthermore, it's easy to forget that this was a fairly recent addition to US zoos- only being imported in the early 2000's, so it's not like there was a long history with this species to begin with.

I used to enjoy watching the two warty pig brothers at Capron Park Zoo, both of which have since passed away, so it'll be a shame if there's a time in the future where it's impossible to see them in US zoos.

 

[tigris115]

Unfortunately, it appears that Visayan warty pigs are on their way out in North America. There has not been a litter of piglets born since 2022, and the population is starting to age. I really don't know what happened... There was a real population boom in this species about a decade ago, with a lot of new holders coming on, but in recent years it has really collapsed.

Ah crap. I feel like unless something changes, ungulates as a whole are screwed.

With the import laws being so strict and the lack of interest from zoos, it's starting to become worrying. I'm sure something will come up to help ungulates in the future but right now, I'm worried about the status of ungulates in zoos that aren't the super basic species.

 

[StoppableSan]

Unfortunately, it appears that Visayan warty pigs are on their way out in North America. There has not been a litter of piglets born since 2022, and the population is starting to age. I really don't know what happened... There was a real population boom in this species about a decade ago, with a lot of new holders coming on, but in recent years it has really collapsed.

Luckily North Carolina's gearing up to be a new holder, which should help mitigate this potential crisis...

 

[Kudu21]

Are there still enough reproductively capable animals for the population to rebound? I suppose it is equally important for there to be institutional interest, but that is lacking?

I believe that there is a chance of salvaging the population; however, it is going to take some pretty intensive management and cooperation amongst holders. There are only nine females in the population under 10 years of age, and only two of these animals are not currently housed at the San Diego Zoo. A balance is going to have to be struck between managing existing aging groups while creating new breeding groups from this relatively small and related group of reproductively viable females. New holders and continued interest from the current holders of the aging groups as well as striking a balance with the growing babirusa population (and to a lesser extent the Chacoan peccary population) will be necessary for the Visayan warty pig program to survive.

 

[tigris115]

I believe that there is a chance of salvaging the population; however, it is going to take some pretty intensive management and cooperation amongst holders. There are only nine females in the population under 10 years of age, and only two of these animals are not currently housed at the San Diego Zoo. A balance is going to have to be struck between managing existing aging groups while creating new breeding groups from this relatively small and related group of reproductively viable females. New holders and continued interest from the current holders of the aging groups as well as striking a balance with the growing babirusa population (and to a lesser extent the Chacoan peccary population) will be necessary for the Visayan warty pig program to survive.

If it's ok to ask, do you have any commentary on the state of AZA ungulates?

 

[Coelacanth18]

The decline of warty pigs really is a shame; not only are they very cool-looking animals with their mohawk, but also they are critically endangered and the US population is from a different island than Europe's...

New holders and continued interest from the current holders of the aging groups as well as striking a balance with the growing babirusa population (and to a lesser extent the Chacoan peccary population) will be necessary for the Visayan warty pig program to survive.

I've wondered for a long time if supporting two Asian pig species in US zoos was going to be too heavy a lift, given that Asian hoofstock in general are declining in popularity. It feels like pigs are frequently one of those "filler" species that zoos stick into random exhibits they have rather than deliberately including them in new complexes (unfairly so IMO)... which if true, further down the line could create a problem even for pigs that are doing better today, like the peccaries and babirusa.

 

[15399]

I can't help but wonder if the fact they no longer qualify for an SSP may facilitate zoos choosing other species instead. There are four suid/tayasuid species that have SSPs: babirusa, Chacoan peccary, red river hog, and warthog- and I bet that some zoos at least may choose one of these species over warty pigs simply due to their SSP status. It'd be really great if some red river hog holders especially are willing to switch over to an endangered species in need of more space (warty pigs, peccaries, or babirusa). Obviously some zoos have geographical constraints- but I know as a fact that not all of the red river hog holders do.

 

[Valentinoamor]

I can't help but wonder if the fact they no longer qualify for an SSP may facilitate zoos choosing other species instead. There are four suid/tayasuid species that have SSPs: babirusa, Chacoan peccary, red river hog, and warthog- and I bet that some zoos at least may choose one of these species over warty pigs simply due to their SSP status. It'd be really great if some red river hog holders especially are willing to switch over to an endangered species in need of more space (warty pigs, peccaries, or babirusa). Obviously some zoos have geographical constraints- but I know as a fact that not all of the red river hog holders do.

While I do agree with you, I think another important factor is that the other species you mentioned are more interesting to the general public. Babirusa with the four tusks, red river hogs with their bright colors, and warthogs due to The Lion King. I do think that peccaries are the least popular of the four species you mentioned, but due to them being a native(-ish) species and facility interest, I do not see them disappearing any time soon.

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

An article regarding this; it also states that all three veteran female elephants will eventually be integrated into the herd as well, which I think is new as I thought I read one of the females wasn’t planned to due to dominance issues(?).

Cincinnati Zoo takes steps to keep elephant herd from catching a form of herpes

On a side note, I’d be intrigued to find out how babirusa will be integrated into the complex. Interesting that the Visayan warty pigs weren’t moved instead to give them a new habitat too.

The plan to introduce all the girls to the Dublin is correct. Jati and Mai Thai have had some issues together over the last couple years with Jati picking on the later. However the keepers don't know if this would go away in a larger herd setting or what the outcome would be. Ideally all the cows would live together in one herd but it all just depends on what the elephants decide.

 

[Joseph G]

Can confirm the elephants were outside exploring the habitat again today. Really hard to see everything shown in the most recent construction update from any public viewing areas in the zoo. However, the zen garden at the top is really approaching final form.



Over at Jungle Trails, the new exhibit has completely transformed in the last few months. I haven't been to the zoo since March, and whatever this is has really taken shape.



Finally, Bear Ridge and Otter Coast construction has resumed. There was a lot of activity over there today, most of which seemed to be behind the scenes, so nothing to photograph really. But there is a lot of construction equipment back at work over there along with a pretty sizable crew. The signage has also been swapped out to say 2025.

Ton of activity right now and you can feel the buzz from the general public too. It's going to feel like a completely different zoo next summer when everything can hopefully open up after Elephant Trek in the fall.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Ah crap. I feel like unless something changes, ungulates as a whole are screwed.

With the import laws being so strict and the lack of interest from zoos, it's starting to become worrying. I'm sure something will come up to help ungulates in the future but right now, I'm worried about the status of ungulates in zoos that aren't the super basic species.

So sorry and I cannot help but think the whole rationale is proving so thin on the ground. AZA is in danger of only producing model denizens with a lack of diversity. The reasons given for not continuering with Visayas party pigs. Mind you the ESU from Panay is US sponsorred ... in Europe it is Negros, that was the original plan from early 2000's. If the AZA does not work effectively with this ESU Panay population that whole assurance colony is down to just one facility in the Philippines on Panay. That to me ..., is NOT how I see conservation nor ex situ conservation breeding programmes should be handled as a fleeting interest and vested effort.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

The plan to introduce all the girls to the Dublin is correct. Jati and Mai Thai have had some issues together over the last couple years with Jati picking on the later. However the keepers don't know if this would go away in a larger herd setting or what the outcome would be. Ideally all the cows would live together in one herd but it all just depends on what the elephants decide.

Believe me, .... that picking will never go away .... if social inadequacies exist they will only get worse over time, not less. The longer you leave it, the more difficult the solution will be.

 

[PossumRoach]

So sorry and I cannot help but think the whole rationale is proving so thin on the ground. AZA is in danger of only producing model denizens with a lack of diversity. The reasons given for not continuering with Visayas party pigs. Mind you the ESU from Panay is US sponsorred ... in Europe it is Negros, that was the original plan from early 2000's. If the AZA does not work effectively with this ESU Panay population that whole assurance colony is down to just one facility in the Philippines on Panay. That to me ..., is NOT how I see conservation nor ex situ conservation breeding programmes should be handled as a fleeting interest and vested effort.

Hey, at least the animals that remain in AZA zoos have right now can have more space and welfare by utilizing the space left from Visayan Warty Pigs.

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

After reaching out to a friend at Columbus the reason for the delay in Sabu's transfer was logistics and he recently went into musth causing the move to take a little bit longer. On another note the Bonobos are recovering well from their illness and will be back on habitat in the next couple weeks. Also from Jungle Trails the breeding pair of Coquerel's sifaka have been moved to the former White-Faced Saki enclosure. The female Howler monkeys are now part of the rotating group with the colobus and guenons before the new habitat is completed and the howlers and sakis are moved into there. The Blue Duiker pair also have yet too be put on exhibit in Jungle Trails which I am assuming is related to the noise during the construction period. South America Aviary is still closed even though it was supposed to open Memorial Day weekend just as a heads up for those looking to visit soon. However the Dublin elephant herd can now be viewed from the pavilion overlook when they are in the main habitat according to recent visitors.

 

[wild boar]

breeding pair of Potto's

I didn't realize there were any zoos in North America still intending to breed pottos. Do you know anything more about them?

the new primate enclosure

Over at Jungle Trails, the new exhibit has completely transformed in the last few months. I haven't been to the zoo since March, and whatever this is has really taken shape.

This is just the former gibbon island, right?

Also from Jungle Trails the breeding pair of Coquerel's sifaka have been moved to the former White-Faced Saki enclosure. The female Howler monkeys are now part of the rotating group with the colobus and guenons before the new habitat is completed and the howlers and sakis are moved into there.

Are the saki monkeys now off-exhibit? Also, I know the zoo has had howler monkeys for a while, but where were the females before they started rotating with the guenons (which I take it are once again rotating on-exhibit indoors instead of always being off-exhibit like last summer?) and colobuses, and where is the male now?

 

[Jonathan Petersson]

I didn't realize there were any zoos in North America still intending to breed pottos. Do you know anything more about them?



This is just the former gibbon island, right?


Are the saki monkeys now off-exhibit? Also, I know the zoo has had howler monkeys for a while, but where were the females before they started rotating with the guenons (which I take it are once again rotating on-exhibit indoors instead of always being off-exhibit like last summer?) and colobuses, and where is the male now?

I was incorrect in that post the Cincinnati Zoo is longer attempting to breed potto. The males are housed in the Jungle Trails habitat with one living with the Aye-Aye and the younger Otto living with the bushbaby. Meanwhile the females are in Night Hunters. Quite a shame the zoo and others are not making more of an attempt to save this species.

Correct the White-Faced Saki are currently off-exhibit until the new enclosure is done in Jungle Trails. The howler monkey females used to live in the current enclosure that now houses Northern White-Cheeked and Buff-Cheeked Gibbon. The male Howler monkey is currently behind the scenes until the new saki/howler enclosure is done. According to a volunteer the females did not get along with him and so he has to be separated. The guenon are also on-display depending on when you go to the zoo. Not all three females can be housed together and two of them have conflict and so they are often behind the scenes compared to the other species.

 

[wild boar]

I was incorrect in that post the Cincinnati Zoo is longer attempting to breed potto. The males are housed in the Jungle Trails habitat with one living with the Aye-Aye and the younger Otto living with the bushbaby. Meanwhile the females are in Night Hunters. Quite a shame the zoo and others are not making more of an attempt to save this species.

Correct the White-Faced Saki are currently off-exhibit until the new enclosure is done in Jungle Trails. The howler monkey females used to live in the current enclosure that now houses Northern White-Cheeked and Buff-Cheeked Gibbon. The male Howler monkey is currently behind the scenes until the new saki/howler enclosure is done. According to a volunteer the females did not get along with him and so he has to be separated. The guenon are also on-display depending on when you go to the zoo. Not all three females can be housed together and two of them have conflict and so they are often behind the scenes compared to the other species.

Are there currently five species of gibbon at the zoo (siamang, white-handed gibbon, Müller's gibbon, buff-cheeked gibbon, northern white-cheeked gibbon)? Where is the Müller's gibbon right now?

Is there any day of the week or time of day that I would be more likely to see some of the Grey's crowned guenons, or is it completely random?