I heard that the Columbus Zoo will have it's North American region redeveloped, I know they plan on having new exhibits for the Mexican Grey Wolves, Black Bears, North American River Otters, Bald Eagles, Canadian Lynxes, and Trumpeter Swans, but I’m kind of worried they’ll phase out some of their other animals like Moose, Elk, Beavers, Mountain Lions, Bison, Pronghorn, Reindeer, Wolverines, Prairie Dogs, and their aviary, will the Columbus Zoo still include most of their North American species for the redevelopment?
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo North America Redevelopment
- Thread starter ZooFan1
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Blackleopard207
Well-Known Member
I think I saw on the Columbus Zoo News 2023 thread that moose, reindeer, wolverines, and mountain lions will all stay. However, bison, pronghorn, and beavers are already gone sadly.
Blackleopard207
Well-Known Member
Yes, from pictures I’ve seen the bison/pronghorn exhibit was nice looking. But I agree, I’m glad that moose and wolverines will remain! Those are two species that aren’t as common in North American themed exhibits!
Jonathan
Well-Known Member
Sad that the bison and pronghorn are gone but hope one day, they'll come back in the future
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I doubt the zoo will ever bring either species back, or at least they won't be coming back for a long time. They have a successful breeding herd of bison at the Wilds already, and unless they'd need space for surplus individuals (unlikely) then there's honestly very little reason to dedicate money into putting the species in the main zoo.
As for the Pronghorn, all but one died from a fungus in the grass, and as far as I know the zoo is wary of bringing them back due to fear of a similar event happening.
I definitely forsee beavers returning, since afaik the only reason they left in the first place is to make room for the first phase of construction. I would also expect the zoo to add a few species to the second NA phase. The first phase is cramming Otters, an aviary, swans, wolves, bears and eagles into the first half of the region (which, I will say I am weary of the eagle exhibit's size looking at how construction is going), leaving the second side with Lynx, Moose, wolverines, reindeer and cougars, all of which have exhibits of decent or large size already. They will have to fill the space left by the vacant bear, aviary and otter exhibits.