Dallas Zoo Dallas Zoo Changes

Arizona Docent said:
I agree (and hope) that it is an interim step - just to clear the area for when they are ready to add a new exhibit. Those familiar with the zoo know there are two sides, separated by each other with a long tunnel under a road. If they were to shut down this old side entirely and only have the other side open (Wilds of Africa, Giants of the Savannah), it would still be an outstanding zoo - perhaps the best in the Southwest.

My personal hope would be to turn the old side into a strictly Asia theme - since they already have the relatively new and excellent tiger and otter exhibits.
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Any plans than for Asian precinct?
What about building on the African Giants theme and hippos and/or new rhinos.
 
Sloth bears and orangutans have both been rumored to be slated for residents in the incomplete exhibit in the tiger complex. However the koala enclosure now encroaches on that area.

The acreage in the GOS is in full use. It would be plausible to modify some stalls in the hoof stock barn for white rhinoceros. There have been rumors for years regarding the placement of white rhino and hippopotamus in the large monorail habitats.
 
loxodontaafrica said:
There have been rumors for years regarding the placement of white rhino and hippopotamus in the large monorail habitats.
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There were some preliminary plans to put the hippos at the monorail, but the park department grew fearful of a public backlash if patrons could only see the popular animals via an extra charge attraction.
 
cleusk said:
There were some preliminary plans to put the hippos at the monorail, but the park department grew fearful of a public backlash if patrons could only see the popular animals via an extra charge attraction.
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That actually makes a lot of sense. I remember when I went to the Bronx Zoo years ago (well before Tiger Mountain) how disappointed I was that you could only see the tigers from the monorail.
 
One of the reasons why they closed the Hill and got rid of the collection was because the city council kept slicing away at the zoo budget.
 
Well, I did say that it was ONE of the reasons. At any rate, I'm kind of glad that they closed it down. Trying to hike up that thing was a nightmare. Even worse was trying to control the stroller as you went back down.
 
I want to start by saying the keepers at the dallas zoo are amazing but SG and other management I have no respect for. Moyo Black Rhino was moved from the large mammal barn on 11/29/12 to an Austin reserve if you can call it that. The “reserve” is really a couple of brothers trying to open some type of private zoo but they are not in any hurry to make it happen. The few animals they have are in subpar enclosures and very few keepers. Austin didn't have Moyo’s enclosure ready but Dallas zoo higher ups didn't care they wanted him to move when he did so they could start demo for “Green Space” even thou they knew a cold front was moving in. Moyo has a smaller area to live in with NO shelter or Heat. According to the keepers in Austin Moyo is freezing and not well. Zoo officials and vets have been notified but nothing is being done about it. Needless to say I’m pissed! Moyo isn't the first animal SG shipped off with no regard for their well being. 2 of the baby Oryx , one that was bottle feed when his mom rejected him after birth, were sent to a Texas Ranch a couple of years ago when the hill was closed down. The Ranch HUNTS exotics for a cost. The bottle feed oryx had been castrated at birth so the only value he had to the ranch was to be killed and mounted on someone’s wall.
 
Turtle said:
I want to start by saying the keepers at the dallas zoo are amazing but SG and other management I have no respect for. Moyo Black Rhino was moved from the large mammal barn on 11/29/12 to an Austin reserve if you can call it that. The “reserve” is really a couple of brothers trying to open some type of private zoo but they are not in any hurry to make it happen. The few animals they have are in subpar enclosures and very few keepers. Austin didn't have Moyo’s enclosure ready but Dallas zoo higher ups didn't care they wanted him to move when he did so they could start demo for “Green Space” even thou they knew a cold front was moving in. Moyo has a smaller area to live in with NO shelter or Heat. According to the keepers in Austin Moyo is freezing and not well. Zoo officials and vets have been notified but nothing is being done about it. Needless to say I’m pissed! Moyo isn't the first animal SG shipped off with no regard for their well being. 2 of the baby Oryx , one that was bottle feed when his mom rejected him after birth, were sent to a Texas Ranch a couple of years ago when the hill was closed down. The Ranch HUNTS exotics for a cost. The bottle feed oryx had been castrated at birth so the only value he had to the ranch was to be killed and mounted on someone’s wall.
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Unfortunately, part of a larger trend that has been going on for years.
 
Since the new management has taken over, and even a few years before, animals have taken a back seat to guest amenities. Make it look pretty, slap some paint on it, and everyone will be happy.
 
Considering the rarity of black rhinos in captivity (and in the wild), I am surprised an AZA accredited zoo would be allowed to send it to a non-AZA facility.
 
Arizona Docent said:
Considering the rarity of black rhinos in captivity (and in the wild), I am surprised an AZA accredited zoo would be allowed to send it to a non-AZA facility.
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Why is that? Southern Black Rhinos are not managed under any SSP. And even if there was an SSP, it would be a Red program which allows non-
AZA participants.
 
gerenuk said:
Why is that? Southern Black Rhinos are not managed under any SSP. And even if there was an SSP, it would be a Red program which allows non-
AZA participants.
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I confess that even as a volunteer at an AZA facility, I do not know what a red SSP is. For the benefit of all, can you list the different colors/levels of SSP and PMP?
 
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