Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Metroparks Zoo News 2025

[Toledo Zoo Guide]

The model of Primate Forest -
View attachment 776164 View attachment 776165

This is gonna be an incredible exhibit, this truly is gonna be an incredible renovation.
While I’ve only been to Cleveland a handful of time in my life there is some nostalgia losing the old entrance to the building.
It had a certain charm to it and I will miss it, but hats off to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo I think they’re gonna nail it.

 

[EagleScout610]

21 reactions | RainForest Update 3.14 | Road to 150! Tune into Dr. Chris Kuhar, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Executive Director, and Animal Keeper, Kristy Becka for another behind-the-scenes... | By Cleveland Metroparks Zoo | Facebook
The zoo has revealed that the burmese python exhibit will be expanded in the RainForest renovation

 

[EagleScout610]

Was at Cleveland today. Here's what was new/worth reporting-

Main Zoo

• V the American black bear was outside.
• Indoor Giraffe viewing is still closed. Strangely I don't think it opened all winter, which is unusual.
• Construction in the entrance plaza is spreading to in front of the guest center and the path around Elephant Crossing to the ampitheater
• Australia Adventure is fully reopened.
• Construction on the new kangaroo and wallaby barn is picking up speed.

Primate Forest

• Digging for foundation work has begun in front of the old Atrium area.
• Alot of the green fencing around the site has been removed, allowing for some good looks into the site.
• Saw a dumpster that seemed to be full of props and signage from the inside being taken out behind the building.

Primate Forest construction zone -

 

[EagleScout610]

2.8K views · 75 reactions | Zoo News 2.0 Preview: March 2025 | Zoo Society supporters, this month’s Zoo News 2.0 arrives next week... Construction on Primate Forest is progressing smoothly, and frequent Zoo visitors... | By Cleveland Zoological Society | Facebook

If anyone is a member of the Zoo News videos, the next one will feature Primate Forest

 

[EagleScout610]

The zoo has announced on Facebook that the sloth bear cub has been named Suhani and will be on exhibit starting today.

 

[EagleScout610]

14 reactions · 3 comments | RainForest Update 4.2 | Progress! Tune into Dr. Chris Kuhar, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Executive Director, for the latest “Road to 150” update covering traffic flow and guest... | By Cleveland Metroparks Zoo | Facebook

 

[EagleScout610]

Notes from todays visit:

• Dragon Land will be the summer attraction for 2025. It's basically the same as Dinosaur but with Dragons.
• V the Black Bear was out, but no sign of Ruskin the Red Panda or Onion the seal
• Signage for the Tufted Deer has been updated to say that a baby was born on January 6th.
• Kookaburra is no longer in the greenhouse exhibit in Australian Adventure.
• A Crested Cockatoo now lives in the small cage next to the railroad track in the Walk-around.
• Once again I'm curious if there are plans in the works to change Australia as the parts that are still open are looking really unloved. Hopefully there's more changes after the Kangaroo exhibit.
• Moon Jellyfish are off exhibit.
• Caught a glimpse of Suhari the Sloth bear cub as her and Shiva were going back inside. Waited about 15 minutes but they didn't return.

 

[Baryonyx]

Notes from todays visit:

• Once again I'm curious if there are plans in the works to change Australia as the parts that are still open are looking really unloved. Hopefully there's more changes after the Kangaroo exhibit.

I went yesterday and noticed that too. Throughout all of Australia, I only saw two Red Kangaroos. Every single other animal was off exhibit.

 

[EagleScout610]

I went yesterday and noticed that too. Throughout all of Australia, I only saw two Red Kangaroos. Every single other animal was off exhibit.

The temporary fencing lining the walkway in the walkabout just makes the entire area feel more congested and like they don't have a plan for it. Lots of roos and wallabies were out, but once you get to the backyard area with the Homestead, barn, and Yagga Tree not a single animal was out. I even went back through to make sure I hadn't just missed anyone. Nobody. Although I guess they're doing something since there was a "Under repair" sign over Wooly Bill (the animatronic crocodile).


Personally I think it's time to scrap the whole ranch theme if they're not gonna open the house and just restart it. There's lots of ways to make Australia interesting. It feels way older than 25 (It's actually 2 months younger than me haha)

 

[Ebirah766]

What happened to the moon jellies?

 

[EagleScout610]

What happened to the moon jellies?

Exhibit maintainance

 

[EagleScout610]

Stopped by the zoo for a little bit today. Only did Wilderness Trek, Koalas and PCA. Other than the original Giraffe deck being removed and some new signs at Free Flight Falls there wasnt anything else really worth reporting.

Primate Forest Construction-

 

[EagleScout610]

Facebook- The zoo has announced Dragon's Landing, the summer 2025 event:

Dragons Spotted Arriving at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo!

Nearly two dozen dragons have been spotted arriving at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake ahead of summer! Beginning on May 2, guests can experience the all-new Dragons Landing with more than 20 animatronic mythical creatures along the Zoo’s Waterfowl Lake. Guests can get up close to giant dragons that span up to 30 feet long and watch as they roar and breathe smoke during this limited-time adventure.

Learn more at buff.ly/kUBTqe0.

 

[mwalle09]

The temporary fencing lining the walkway in the walkabout just makes the entire area feel more congested and like they don't have a plan for it. Lots of roos and wallabies were out, but once you get to the backyard area with the Homestead, barn, and Yagga Tree not a single animal was out. I even went back through to make sure I hadn't just missed anyone. Nobody. Although I guess they're doing something since there was a "Under repair" sign over Wooly Bill (the animatronic crocodile).

View attachment 781901
Personally I think it's time to scrap the whole ranch theme if they're not gonna open the house and just restart it. There's lots of ways to make Australia interesting. It feels way older than 25 (It's actually 2 months younger than me haha)

I agree with this. There are a ton of ways to make Australia more interesting and they have them, I think the Koala exhibit is top notch, adding something like that with a different animal (tasmanian devil, San Diego has a great platypus exhibit, emu etc) would be helpful. They need to figure out their spaces for that though and the train runs through part of it before it starts going around it.

 

[EagleScout610]

I agree with this. There are a ton of ways to make Australia more interesting and they have them, I think the Koala exhibit is top notch, adding something like that with a different animal (tasmanian devil, San Diego has a great platypus exhibit, emu etc) would be helpful. They need to figure out their spaces for that though and the train runs through part of it before it starts going around it.

While Platypus and Tasmania devils are absolutely out of the question for Cleveland, there is still plenty of space for more animals for Australia.

 

[EagleScout610]

Went to the zoo today.

Main Zoo

• Black Howler Monkeys are now in the second primate exhibit in Aquatics. Robust Black Spider Monkey are now in the two large exhibits on the upper row of PC&Am
• Have only seen one golden bellied Mangabey my last few visit, and I'm beginning to wonder if one of them has passed. (The volunteer I asked had no idea)
• Wooly Bill wasn't working. Sat through two rotations of his show and he never popped up.
• The original Giraffe deck has reopened, although considerably smaller.
• Treetops Cafe has reopened.
• Only saw the sea lions, no signs of Onion the harbor seal.

Primate Forest

• New banners have gone up along the fences advertising Primate Forest and other zoo events.
• What seems like the first concrete foundation pieces have been poured.
• The old wooden doors to the research hut are still on the side of the building, the last trace of the old RainForest themeing.

 

[mwalle09]

While Platypus and Tasmania devils are absolutely out of the question for Cleveland, there is still plenty of space for more animals for Australia.

I am speaking out of ignorance here but why would tasmanian devils be out of the question? I think that the Toledo Zoo has them. I feel that if they could slowly renovate like they've done for the Tiger Passage and Bear Hollow a little would go a long way as well as adding new animals.

 

[Kyle Vasarhely]

I am speaking out of ignorance here but why would tasmanian devils be out of the question? I think that the Toledo Zoo has them. I feel that if they could slowly renovate like they've done for the Tiger Passage and Bear Hollow a little would go a long way as well as adding new animals.

If I'm not mistaken and someone can correct me if I'm wrong but Australia is only shipping a few Tasmanian Devils to select zoos in America. The assumption is a few in the Midwest, a few on the East Coast, and a few on the West Coast. Columbus is already getting some and some other Midwest zoo is receiving them. So in lamens terms, there's only so many to go around. Platypuses would be impossible as there are only two outside of Australia in San Diego.

 

[Toledo Zoo Guide]

If I'm not mistaken and someone can correct me if I'm wrong but Australia is only shipping a few Tasmanian Devils to select zoos in America. The assumption is a few in the Midwest, a few on the East Coast, and a few on the West Coast. Columbus is already getting some and some other Midwest zoo is receiving them. So in lamens terms, there's only so many to go around. Platypuses would be impossible as there are only two outside of Australia in San Diego.

It seems Toledo receives all the Tasmanian Devils from Australia and they then distribute them to other zoos throughout the country. I find it strange that Toledo of all zoos has one of the best programs for Tasmanian Devils.

 

[Kyle Vasarhely]

It seems Toledo receives all the Tasmanian Devils from Australia and they then distribute them to other zoos throughout the country. I find it strange that Toledo of all zoos has one of the best programs for Tasmanian Devils.

That does seem super random. Now that you mention Toledo that's probably the other Midwest zoo I was thinking of. Cool that Ohio has two out of the I believe six zoos in America that have them.