David Traylor Zoo David Traylor Zoo News

Visited this zoo on Sunday as my wife and I paired it with a Topeka Zoo trip this weekend. It reminds me a lot of my old hometown zoo, the now defunct Heritage Zoo. This is the first time I've visited this zoo, so my knowledge of the layout comes from looking at the photo of the map on this site.

A couple notes:
  • Master plan updates are definitely ongoing at the moment. The main entrance is getting its makeover and this work has closed off half of the zoo. Photo is attached of entrance plaza work.
  • The bobcat exhibit right next to the construction was empty, presumably because of construction.
  • Did not spot a muntjac in the Nene Goose exhibit. It is a very cool habitat. Love all the rocks amongst the ponds.
  • Mountain lion exhibit is well done. Mountain lion was very active when we entered the zoo.
  • The new Mission Madagascar building in the northwest corner of the zoo is very nice. The direction of the building makes seeing into the glass windows on some of the exhibits difficult due to glare however. Species list for this complex is as follows:
    • Ring Tailed Lemur
    • Black and White Ruffed Lemur
    • Collared Lemur
    • Crowned Lemur
    • Lesser Madagascar Hedgehog Tenrec
    • Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
    • Spider Tortoise
  • The Collared Lemurs and Crowned Lemurs were not on exhibit.
  • The new Laughing Kookaburra exhibit is in place, mesh or other outer covering still needs to be applied. Photo is also attached.
  • Everything to the west of the bobcat exhibit and the Eurasian Black Vultures was closed due to construction. You were not able to make a complete loop so you had to double back for both legs of the zoo at the moment.
  • The hoofstock area was not accessible.
I'm interested in stopping by this zoo on the way to Wichita at some point after the updates are made to see the rest of this zoo and the improvements they are currently making.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_5606[1].JPG
    IMG_5606[1].JPG
    340.6 KB · Views: 6
  • IMG_5607[1].JPG
    IMG_5607[1].JPG
    197 KB · Views: 5
Some news from 2021:

On April 14th, the zoo posted some update pictures on their Oasis exhibit.

Log into Facebook

On May 6th, it was reported that the zoo will be opening its new entrance and a new waterfowl exhibit by June 1st. A new exhibit for laughing kookaburras and a new parking lot is still being built and will be opened to the public by the end of the year.

Emporia Zoo preparing to open new entrance, waterfowl exhibit

On June 8th, the zoo posted some more update photos, including that of the new kookaburra exhibit and wall signage.

Log into Facebook

On June 23rd, the zoo announced that on July 8th, they will be officially opening the new entrance, kookaburra exhibit, and "North American Flyway" areas of the zoo.

Log into Facebook

On September 27th, it was reported that the zoo has tagged 150 monarch butterflies for research purposes.

David Traylor Zoo involved in monarch butterfly tagging effort
 
Gift shop?! I was not aware they had one! Visited here in 2021 and there was no indication one was present anywhere near the zoo.
 
MGolka said:
Gift shop?! I was not aware they had one! Visited here in 2021 and there was no indication one was present anywhere near the zoo.
Click to expand...

It might be a recent addition since they have been doing a lot of work this year, though I'm not sure.
 
On April 9th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) ring-tailed lemur was born.

Also on April 9th, the zoo announced that the facility is working on removing 2 honeybee swarms around the Mission Madagascar exhibit and on the visitor pathway.

Emporia Zoo
Emporia Zoo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top