Denver releases 620 boreal toads
Hundreds of toads released by Denver Zoo in southwestern Utah
Hundreds of toads released by Denver Zoo in southwestern Utah
Denver Zoo Denver Zoo News 2019
- Thread starter Milwaukee Man
- Start date
I added a few images from my visit today. I'll give a few updates and then my review of Harmony Hill.
For the first time, I saw a greater one-horned rhino used for the Elephant Passage show. They plan on using the male rhino, Bandhu in the Tuesday morning shows for the summer in case anyone wants to see them do rhino training.
The green anaconda is now in the former caiman lizard exhibit in Tropical Discovery. The space is way more appropriate for a snake that size and now has adequate land area and much more aquatic space. The former anaconda exhibit has tarp covering the viewing.
The former pygmy marmoset exhibit in Primate Panorama is also covered up but with a large, wall colored window cling.
There is A LOT of land cleared for the new vet hospital. I thought the new hospital would just replace the old one but the land is cleared and there are work walls from the bighorn sheep exhibit to the event space in front of the cheetah exhibit. Speaking of the sheep, the bighorn sheep exhibit's viewing area is inaccessible and the bighorn sheep were moved to the dall sheep exhibit next to is which is unaffected by the construction. There is no sign of the dall sheep and I couldn't see if the simply switched exhibits or not.
So now for my thoughts on the new exhibit. The theming is really good around the exhibit for the most part. New gardens, the signage, the camping accessories (including a bag hung in a tree) are all done well. There are some young trees planted and we will probably need to wait a couple years to get the full effect of a state park. In terms of the first yard, the space probably quadruples the grizzlies former space. There is a nice stream running through the middle part of the yard and a lean-to type shelter. There are a couple cave like structures. One built into the back wall and one that was formerly the polar bear underwater viewing. There is a lot of natural dirt and when I visited, both bears were lounging in a hole they dug. The yard is a bit bare in terms of foliage with no trees and just some patches of grass in the corners. They probably need some time to grow but if the bears keep digging up the dirt, I'm not sure if it will happen to any significant extent. It would have been very nice to see some sort of foliage whether it a transplanted tree or some bushes surrounding the yard. Without greenery, this yard looks out of place with the surrounding theming. which is supposed to be a lush state park. Another odd thing was that they put up a bunch of wooden fencing around the exhibit that make it impossible to view the bears from any point other than the windowed areas. I can see this causing a lot of congestion when the zoo is busy and I even had issues finding a point that I could view the bears and it was not a very busy day. The second yard fits its own theming even less than the first yard. The second yard is supposed to be a backyard with a swimming pool, bird feeders and a porch. But if you look around those things, the second yard is even more bare than the first in terms of foliage. Backyards have a distinct look to them. Concrete mock rock is not anything that I would see in any backyard and it really distracts from the aesthetic the zoo was looking for. Any sort of bush, foliage, or even a wooden fence that lines the wall would really bring the theme together much better than what is here. The viewing areas for the second yard are pretty nice for the most part. The first has a training wall while the second looks like you are looking at the pool through a living room window. There are bookcases, a desk with a fake computer at it, a couch and a side table, all with educational materials regarding bears. There is an odd section of the second viewing window with a wall between the two panes of glass. This is right in front of the pool and I feel the same issue of congestion will come up especially when the bears choose to swim in the pool. As you move on from the second bear yard, you come up to the former arctic fox exhibit. Or whats left of it. It's now a gravel rectangle with a DipinDots stand on it. The former NA river otter exhibit next door is also apparently empty but the walls and windows are still there. Just painted and covered with Harmony Hill art and theming with no indication as to where the otters are. This is pretty disappointing as I thought the otter exhibit was decent and without them, the bears are the only species in the entire area. The seals and sea lions next door are still considered "Northern Shores" on the map and theming. On one of the state park themed signs, It has some removable plaques that describe the "animals in the area" with only three plaques on it (there is room for up to 6) one of which is the grizzlies and the other two are literally for the wild Canadian geese and tree squirrels.
Harmony Hill to me seems like an exhibit that was built not because of the want or desire to create an immersive North American or Colorado wildlife exhibit complex, but out of necessity to get the grizzly bear siblings out of Bear Mountain ASAP. There is room for other animals. The zoo could have meshed the second yard in and created a new habitat for their bald eagles. The river otter exhibit could have been kept how it was and it would have made a great compliment to the grizzly habitat and connected Harmony Hill better with Northern Shores. which are now pretty different in aesthetics.
I don't want to ramble for too long but the past two new exhibits for Denver have been pretty disappointing in terms of theming and immersion. Both The Edge and Harmony Hill are vast improvements for the animals they contain but are the epitome of function over form. The Edge is a giant black metal cage with the oddest choices for guest viewing I've seen for a tiger exhibit and Harmony Hill could have been so much better if the animal exhibits matched the theming. After the two new exhibits before The Edge (Predator Ridge and Elephant Passage) being considered world class and what other zoos look to emulate around the country, all I can say is that it's disappointing and I hope whatever renovation comes next is aligned with PR and EP rather than the newest exhibits.
Indeed the Edge exhibit is a total head scratch. It like they put their Tigers in a large fish bowl. It's totally bewildering I find myself walking past it not interested. Thinking Tigers were better in older moaned exhibit! Haven't seen new grizzly exhibit. Indeed these past to exhibits a band aid and nothing to write home about. I have seen interactions of people and wildlife in yosemite national park, and peoples getting way to close to black bears southeastern alaska clearly people aren't getting the message of allowing in their own environment s the space they need! Indeed denver latest 2 exhibits are a head scratch. The new concept of discovery, immersion environments has made the new zoo nothing more than Disneyland.
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Although we are now into summer season, I highly recommend going to the Denver Zoo in the spring time. This is when weather outside trying to get warm yet cool temperatures makes themselves know. For the larger animals now exploring the outdoor enclosures the weather influences their behavior. I rate it 10 plus as I have seen the Okapi galloping around their enclosure you could hear their hoof beats on the ground as they did their laps! SPECTACULAR!!! Watching the Malayan Tapir run around her enclosure and leap into to the air, GEE can it get any better than this? O YES! right next door to the tapir a large tank size indian rhino is literally run around it's enclosure. MAJOR toughness!!! An these 3 events happen ALL in one visit too! It was spectacular! Highly recommend it. Mosty of best tto visit the zoo is when the weather cool and not hot.
Kootenai the grizzly bear was euthanized.
Denver Zoo's grizzly bear dies after years of health problems
Denver Zoo's grizzly bear dies after years of health problems
I had this in mind today. No chick spotted, but I did see two seemingly full sized eagles on the middle tree.
Half of Harmony Hill's viewing windows are covered with window clings, starting at the training wall. Not sure if it's related to the euthanization or otherwise, but without anything to pick up the slack Harmony Hill isn't much more than a quick walk through.
That said, the space now available to the lone bear is a vast improvement over Bear Mountain, but I'm not sure a single exhibit -- and a rather generic one at that -- is worthy of the sobriquet "Harmony Hill".
I'm still conflicted over The Edge too. On hot days the main focus of the exhibit -- the elevated walkway -- is completely unusable. Yuri & Nikita may have indoor-outdoor access, but it feels like the exhibit does nothing to encourage them to remain on exhibit. No water features, etc. It doesn't feel proper for two Amur tigers either; it's more aligned to having a single tiger.
Of note: There are now Hyacinth macaws are occupying the former (?) snow leopard exhibits. Overheard a keeper state that the leopard exhibits are due to be demoed, but nothing about a date or a timetable. That could already be known information though.
Construction continues on the animal hospital, but now they have banners up announcing its intended completion in 2020.
AbileneBoy
Well-Known Member
on the subject of rare primates does the zoo still have the Azara hooded Capuchins (S. cay). I don't know of any other zoos with those, unless some of the tufted capuchins (S. apella) at other places are just mislabelled
I believe that is the case as of three weeks back. Or was it two? I forget. Anyway, they were in the process of filling up the pool to their outdoor enclosure so that they get some roaming in before the seasons change again.
On a related note, the zoo maintains a series of large monkeys in too small a cage -- Hanuman langurs and spider monkeys are the only one that come to mind, but there was a third species in that same row.
Side note: Maybe this is normal for the rest of the world, but having a home zoo with wildly fluctuating seasons is weird.
To follow up: Not only does the zoo still have them, but they have thirteen of them according to a video the zoo posted on their Facebook page. All 13 appear to be outdoors at the same time too.
On a related note, the zoo recently sent something to the Henry Doorly Zoo. Not sure what it, but it was some sort of fish based on the boxes.
The zoo has just announced the closure of bird world on October 1st. They will be relocating some species within the zoo and dispersing others. In 2020 they plan to raze to building to begin construction on future exhibits.
"When it opened in 1973, Bird World was a feather in Denver Zoo’s cap. The $1.25 million exhibit—the most expensive installation at the time—featured open, natural habitats, and five different heating and cooling systems provided ideal conditions for more than 100 different species of rare, colorful birds. Bird World made guests a part of the birds’ environment, and served as a great home to countless birds for more than four decades.
However, Bird World now needs extensive, costly repairs; no longer meets the needs of our animals and guests; and is below our current standards for efficiency and sustainability. Given these factors, the Zoo’s leadership made the difficult decision to close Bird World on Oct. 1, 2019 to proceed with future developments that will benefit our animals, staff and guests. Plans are being discussed for new animal habitats and guest experiences, and will be announced when they are finalized."
Denver Zoo to Close Bird World on Oct. 1 - Denver Zoo
"When it opened in 1973, Bird World was a feather in Denver Zoo’s cap. The $1.25 million exhibit—the most expensive installation at the time—featured open, natural habitats, and five different heating and cooling systems provided ideal conditions for more than 100 different species of rare, colorful birds. Bird World made guests a part of the birds’ environment, and served as a great home to countless birds for more than four decades.
However, Bird World now needs extensive, costly repairs; no longer meets the needs of our animals and guests; and is below our current standards for efficiency and sustainability. Given these factors, the Zoo’s leadership made the difficult decision to close Bird World on Oct. 1, 2019 to proceed with future developments that will benefit our animals, staff and guests. Plans are being discussed for new animal habitats and guest experiences, and will be announced when they are finalized."
Denver Zoo to Close Bird World on Oct. 1 - Denver Zoo
I visited the zoo this summer for the first time. I enjoyed the collection of the building, but it felt like a lesser version of the Aquatic Bird House at the Bronx Zoo. It was not up the high standards of the rest of the zoo, so I understand their reasons.
That said I hope they use the site to build a new exhibit that includes a nice diversity of birds. The master plan has this area slated to be an african forest pavilion, yet I always take master plans with a grain of salt. The zoos facebook post seems to hint at the new development including birds, so that makes me hopeful.
I also wonder if pachyderms will be torn down as well, given that it is across the path and underutilized as well.
That said I hope they use the site to build a new exhibit that includes a nice diversity of birds. The master plan has this area slated to be an african forest pavilion, yet I always take master plans with a grain of salt. The zoos facebook post seems to hint at the new development including birds, so that makes me hopeful.
I also wonder if pachyderms will be torn down as well, given that it is across the path and underutilized as well.
drill
Well-Known Member
Do they know which zoos they are sending them to?
The original article says:
So looks like they've already sent some away, however it does not state where too.
The bird house was fairly empty in July, with many big exhibits having 1 or 2 species max. The species number was nowhere near what people wrote about on this site 3 or 5 years ago. I imagine this whole year they have been deacquisitioning species, as the thought did cross my mind that the end was near for the building.
It is interesting that Denver Zoo has chosen to close its famous Bird World building, and it might interest some people to read my report of it from 2012. I visited 50 zoos that summer and I extensively reviewed Denver Zoo on the Snowleopard's 2012 Road Trip thread. Here is the excerpt about Bird World and I was astonished to recall just how many species were there.
Bird World – There are around 70 species inside this vast structure that opened in 1975 and around the building are very large aviaries for Steller’s sea eagles (two aviaries), bald eagles and Andean condors. An outdoor African black-footed penguin pool is tiny and quite outdated as I guess that it was built when the building first opened and it is placed directly at the entrance. Upon entering one encounters an introductory set of 8 exhibits with these 9 species: kea, green magpie, rainbow lorikeet, blue-naped mousebird, crested-wood partridge, white-collared yuhina, African pygmy falcon, Micronesian kingfisher and Bali mynah. All of the enclosures are perhaps 6 ft. squared and not very large at all for such active little birds.
There are 3 walk-through aviaries that are all fairly small in comparison to the mammoth versions that have opened since the 1970’s in various other zoos, but they are the highlights of Bird World. The first of a trio of walk-through aviaries is called “Rain Forest” and features these 16 species: Lady Ross’ turaco, sunbittern, green-naped pheasant pigeon, green-winged dove, northern helmeted curassow, grosbeak starling, yellow-breasted ground dove, boat-billed heron, white-faced whistling duck, silver-beaked tanager, hammerkop, hottentot teal, nicobar pigeon, blue-crowned motmot, green-winged macaw and blue-and-gold macaw. Upon exiting this aviary an open-fronted Asian Jungle exhibit has these 5 species: Mariana fruit dove, hooded pitta, African pygmy goose, Pekin robin and blue-crowned laughing thrush.
The second walk-through aviary is called “Tropical Forest” and it features these 11 species: turquoise tanager, blue-gray tanager, paradise tanager, nicobar pigeon, Bartlett’s bleeding heart dove, speckled mousebird, spur-winged plover, crested wood partridge, red-crested finch, red-legged honeycreeper and violaceaous euphonia. Upon exiting this aviary there is a rhinoceros hornbill exhibit.
The third and final walk-through aviary is called “Aquatic Bird Habitat” and it features these 9 species: two-toed sloth, Lady Ross’ turaco, ringed teal, common piping guan, crested oropendola, hammerkop, Rothschild’s peacock pheasant, Inca tern and storm stork. Upon exiting this aviary there is an open-fronted Egyptian plover exhibit.
“Deep in a Swamp” has these 8 species: three-toed box turtle, Mariana fruit dove, pileated woodpecker, golden-headed quetzal, elegant-crested tinamou, yellow-breasted ground dove, Pekin robin and African pygmy goose. “The Bird’s Kitchen” is a window that looks into the food preparation area, and “Living Jewels of the Bird World” ends the tour with these 7 species in 6 very small box-like exhibits: blue-crowned motmot, blue dacnis, tawny frogmouth, violaceous euphonia, blue-breasted kingfisher, green aracari and paradise tanager.
Bird World – There are around 70 species inside this vast structure that opened in 1975 and around the building are very large aviaries for Steller’s sea eagles (two aviaries), bald eagles and Andean condors. An outdoor African black-footed penguin pool is tiny and quite outdated as I guess that it was built when the building first opened and it is placed directly at the entrance. Upon entering one encounters an introductory set of 8 exhibits with these 9 species: kea, green magpie, rainbow lorikeet, blue-naped mousebird, crested-wood partridge, white-collared yuhina, African pygmy falcon, Micronesian kingfisher and Bali mynah. All of the enclosures are perhaps 6 ft. squared and not very large at all for such active little birds.
There are 3 walk-through aviaries that are all fairly small in comparison to the mammoth versions that have opened since the 1970’s in various other zoos, but they are the highlights of Bird World. The first of a trio of walk-through aviaries is called “Rain Forest” and features these 16 species: Lady Ross’ turaco, sunbittern, green-naped pheasant pigeon, green-winged dove, northern helmeted curassow, grosbeak starling, yellow-breasted ground dove, boat-billed heron, white-faced whistling duck, silver-beaked tanager, hammerkop, hottentot teal, nicobar pigeon, blue-crowned motmot, green-winged macaw and blue-and-gold macaw. Upon exiting this aviary an open-fronted Asian Jungle exhibit has these 5 species: Mariana fruit dove, hooded pitta, African pygmy goose, Pekin robin and blue-crowned laughing thrush.
The second walk-through aviary is called “Tropical Forest” and it features these 11 species: turquoise tanager, blue-gray tanager, paradise tanager, nicobar pigeon, Bartlett’s bleeding heart dove, speckled mousebird, spur-winged plover, crested wood partridge, red-crested finch, red-legged honeycreeper and violaceaous euphonia. Upon exiting this aviary there is a rhinoceros hornbill exhibit.
The third and final walk-through aviary is called “Aquatic Bird Habitat” and it features these 9 species: two-toed sloth, Lady Ross’ turaco, ringed teal, common piping guan, crested oropendola, hammerkop, Rothschild’s peacock pheasant, Inca tern and storm stork. Upon exiting this aviary there is an open-fronted Egyptian plover exhibit.
“Deep in a Swamp” has these 8 species: three-toed box turtle, Mariana fruit dove, pileated woodpecker, golden-headed quetzal, elegant-crested tinamou, yellow-breasted ground dove, Pekin robin and African pygmy goose. “The Bird’s Kitchen” is a window that looks into the food preparation area, and “Living Jewels of the Bird World” ends the tour with these 7 species in 6 very small box-like exhibits: blue-crowned motmot, blue dacnis, tawny frogmouth, violaceous euphonia, blue-breasted kingfisher, green aracari and paradise tanager.
