Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo News, 2023

Just left the zoo. Here's what was new/different-
Egyptian Goose is now signed in the Savannah Range of Elephant Crossing
- Cheetahs and Aldabra Tortoise are temporarily off exhibit. Path from the deck walk to the entrance of PCA is closed
- Deckwalk, Yagga Tree and Contact Yard are closed for the winter
- Amur Leopard was a no show
- Birds of Prey behind Koalas were off exhibit
- Left Amazon Exhibit was empty aside from the birds (Capybara and Anteater were off)
- Upper Forest was a "Quiet Zone" dur to Baby Animal Cam filming
 
Took a couple hour, very wet trip yesterday to test our new camera (if y'all aren't prowling Goodwill for gently used electronics and have $20 to spend - that's our new hobby) and one small item to add. The Christmas Light decorations are going up! Hoping to hear a start date by the end of the month.
 
forms93 said:
Took a couple hour, very wet trip yesterday to test our new camera (if y'all aren't prowling Goodwill for gently used electronics and have $20 to spend - that's our new hobby) and one small item to add. The Christmas Light decorations are going up! Hoping to hear a start date by the end of the month.
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I'll have to keep that in mind. I use my phone camera right now and it causes zoomed in photos to become all smudgy looking
 
I went to the CMZ yesterday, first time seeing Suzie's Bear Hollow and came away very impressed with it. I think it is an exhibit that accomplishes a trifecta of great viewing, expanded space for the bears and connects into the rest of the area much better. With the crowds smaller due to the wet weather, I was able to enjoy some exhibits more than usual. Some thoughts:
- Asian Highlands is the type of exhibit area I wish Australian Adventure was (although Gumleaf Hideout and Wallaby Walkabout are great parts of it). I feel like the viewing areas for all the animals in them are prime and the building and human areas are well integrated with a mix of education, interaction and observation.

- The Maltz Rhino Reserve has grown on me. It will sound simple but I feel like grass growing in it makes it look better. Definitely better for them to have more space and I cannot remember if they added more things to it since it has opened but I feel it is a good addition.

- The RainForest seems to show its age and hold up well depending on the exhibit. I think its entrance and walk through the foliage is an incredibly immersive experience as is the top canopy exhibit area, from the research "lab" to the walkthrough exhibits. The lower canopy I think starts well still but I guess I would love to see what their ideas are with renovating it as part of the Primate Forest project.

- Wolf Wilderness remains one of my favorite exhibits at the zoo. I wish they could figure out a way to give better viewing of the wolves, who are pretty reclusive by nature, around the sides or back. Maybe that is not what is best for them? I don't know but I think from the education in the lodge and the great exhibits inside with the bald eagle, beavers and fish, it is a really cool experience.

I did not make it up to the PCA and gave a cursory look through African Savanna on my way to Wilderness Trek. African Elephant Crossing looked great as usual. For a quiet afternoon that actually stayed dry after the morning rain, a lot of animals were out and about which was awesome.
 
Just left the zoo. Here's everything of note-

Main Zoo
  • Wolf Wilderness is temporarily closed due to setting up Wild Winter Lights.
  • Grizzly Bears were a no show
  • V the Black Bear made a surprise appearance (She's relatively rare to see outside)
  • All of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia were no shows
  • Aldabra Tortoise are in for the winter
  • Construction was going on where the former WRYAS building was. Given this is going to become part of the Primate Forest Entrance I wonder if this means we're close to another announcement.
RainForest
  • [NEW] A Jungle Carpet Python is now on display in the Lower Forest across from the Fiji Iguana
  • Amazon exhibits in Upper Forest (Porcupine and Agouti) were empty and unsigned.
  • Ocelot was a no show
  • Gharial was a no show (I notice they’ve been sort of hit-or-miss lately)
  • The Leafcutter Ant exhibit was closed.
  • 3 of the 4 temple exhibits by the waterfall were empty and unsigned. The only animal I saw in there was a Pied Tamarin
 
CMZman said:
Just left the zoo. Here's everything of note-

Main Zoo
  • Wolf Wilderness is temporarily closed due to setting up Wild Winter Lights.
  • Grizzly Bears were a no show
  • V the Black Bear made a surprise appearance (She's relatively rare to see outside)
  • All of the Wallabies and Wallaroos in Australia were no shows
  • Aldabra Tortoise are in for the winter
  • Construction was going on where the former WRYAS building was. Given this is going to become part of the Primate Forest Entrance I wonder if this means we're close to another announcement.
RainForest
  • [NEW] A Jungle Carpet Python is now on display in the Lower Forest across from the Fiji Iguana
  • Amazon exhibits in Upper Forest (Porcupine and Agouti) were empty and unsigned.
  • Ocelot was a no show
  • Gharial was a no show (I notice they’ve been sort of hit-or-miss lately)
  • The Leafcutter Ant exhibit was closed.
  • 3 of the 4 temple exhibits by the waterfall were empty and unsigned. The only animal I saw in there was a Pied Tamarin
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I think we are seeing the beginning of the animal exodus of The RainForest. Not everyone is going to be around during construction and renovation.
 
That must be pretty recent, when I was there a couple of weeks ago the tamarins were there and so was the ocelot.
 
mwalle09 said:
That must be pretty recent, when I was there a couple of weeks ago the tamarins were there and so was the ocelot.
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The Ocelot and Tamarins, as well as the Agouti and Sloth had their signs removed, so I wonder if they're starting to shuffle animals around for when Primate Forest construction starts.
 
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My friend was at the zoo today and he said that the RainForest animals are still missing and that the sign for the Ocelot is gone. It was there when I went last week
 
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