Why would such a law even exist?
Detroit Zoo Detroit Zoo News 2025
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USZOOfan42
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Good question; especially for only targeting AZA facilities. I'd guess to appeal to activists, yet none have issues from any of Michigan's facilities from what I've seen.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Currently Michigan law prohibits zoos from obtaining a new large carnivore breeding license if they’ve had a critical non-compliant finding from the USDA in the last five years. The bill being put through the statehouse would amend the law to allow any facility, AZA or otherwise, to renew their license if they had no problems related to the license in their last term. The bill passing would let John Ball and Detroit renew their breeding licenses. Otherwise they are set to lapse due to the pygmy hippo-sitatunga incident at John Ball and a raccoon break-in at Detroit, both of which resulted in critical non-compliance citations for something unrelated to their large carnivores.
I visited the zoo today, not much new to speak of. I apologize if I'm saying anything that's already been mentioned. I apologize if the quality of the photos isn't the best, or if there are repeat pictures uploaded for this post. I need a new phone soon.
I did see the warthogs and the aardvarks today which was a nice change.
The zoo's two large, male red kangaroos have died. There is one new male, and three new females, all young.
I also took some pictures of the construction in the children's area. There is a visible off exhibit holding area adjacent to the giant anteater exhibit. I thought I recalled someone saying they made you demonstrations so maybe that's what this new area is for.
I also saw what appeared to be a fenced off area in the bison exhibit.
I did see the warthogs and the aardvarks today which was a nice change.
The zoo's two large, male red kangaroos have died. There is one new male, and three new females, all young.
I also took some pictures of the construction in the children's area. There is a visible off exhibit holding area adjacent to the giant anteater exhibit. I thought I recalled someone saying they made you demonstrations so maybe that's what this new area is for.
I also saw what appeared to be a fenced off area in the bison exhibit.
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The red-tailed monkeys are also not signed anymore, and cannot be found on the website.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Thank you for the pictures! Were the aardvarks awake? It’s rare to see them up in the day. I wonder if we will see some roo breeding in the future; there seems to be many new, younger individuals. I think one of the larger males I saw last week. I think the first 3 pictures will be for bush dogs; as the dens I saw last week don’t really match up for anteaters. There’s also a decently sized pool.
Did you see them? Hopefully they weren’t phased out! The zoo doesn’t have any signage for them aside from the plastic form on the wall; hopefully just new signs. I saw both individuals last week; and they seemed pretty active. They still are signed on app, so fingers crossed!
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USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
The guenons have been removed from the app; wonder what happened. Likely transferred, I’ll be sure to look out for where and why. Could’ve been some conflicts with the swamp monkeys, as I haven’t seen them together recently.
Seems like a sorry loss for the primate diversity of LA Zoo! Is it per usual that the zoo removes individual species without much ado?
LA? This is the Detroit thread.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
which also makes it less of surprise
My bad, ... it was rather early and I had not had coffee yet. I am far from a morning person. However, the query still stands why this rare primate species has been given a "so long ... primates" by the Detroit Zoo.
Anyone have any valid thoughts on this or where the monkeys will or have ended up now?
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I can only assume they’ve been phased out because, as speculated by @USZOOfan42, they perhaps didn’t get along with the Allen’s swamp monkeys, which is supported by the two species apparently have been on a rotational schedule rather than sharing the enclosure together. It was perhaps decided that one of the species should go to a facility, so that both could hopefully have full-time access to an exhibit. Not sure how they decided which of the two species to phase out but I doubt it was random.
I do think it’s worth noting that while Detroit Zoo did infamously phase out many species throughout the 2010s and into the beginning of this decade, this trend has largely been reversed since the current director took office, and even with the departure of the red-tailed monkeys, the zoo still has 7 primate species, compared to 4 at the beginning of her tenure.which also makes it less of surprise
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Bactrian Camels have been removed from the app. Still on the website as of now; hopefully we don’t see another phase out.
If they are being phased out, maybe it’s to make way for the revamped Asia zone? Although I didn’t think construction for that was supposed to start for a bit.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
I am not sure. Seems a little early, with Discovery Trails being 2/3 of the way done with construction. Hopefully there's a replacement if they were phased out.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Seems discovery trails will have 10 different habitats, and here’s what the list is looking like, in order of location:
1. Goat Breed (likely African Pygmy)
2. Alpaca
3. Miniature Donkey
4. Chicken Breed
5. Bush Dog
6. Giant Anteater
7. Black Tailed Prairie Dog
8. Burrowing Owl
9. Cownose Ray, White Spotted Bamboo Shark
10. Unknown
She could have been referring to 10 species; but multiple times 10 exhibits were mentioned. Hopefully we will find out soon; any day there will be a bush dog announcement according to the website.
Detroit City Council Budget Hearing Zoological Society 03-12-2025
1. Goat Breed (likely African Pygmy)
2. Alpaca
3. Miniature Donkey
4. Chicken Breed
5. Bush Dog
6. Giant Anteater
7. Black Tailed Prairie Dog
8. Burrowing Owl
9. Cownose Ray, White Spotted Bamboo Shark
10. Unknown
She could have been referring to 10 species; but multiple times 10 exhibits were mentioned. Hopefully we will find out soon; any day there will be a bush dog announcement according to the website.
Detroit City Council Budget Hearing Zoological Society 03-12-2025
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USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
Third discovery trails construction update, mosaic wall, a farmers market in the old barn (with indoor areas for domestics), and bush dogs! Seems their exhibit will have a pool and seems to have the “no barrier look”. This is a picture I took of the habitat:
I know we talked about this before but the bush dogs really are going in the old giant anteater exhibit? Wouldn't that mean that the anteaters are going in the old Bush dog exhibit? That exhibit seems a little small for two anteaters.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
I think the old bush dog exhibit was demolished; and the new habitat will be the old Anteater; with some minor renovations. As shown in the concept art; the anteaters should be getting an exhibit where the tree kangaroos, the old bush dog and part of the horse paddock. There won’t be a reveal until the opening; but I think it will be the best habitat of the 4. The next reveal in January will showcase the underground exhibits; which look amazing in concept art.
I'm really curious what could go in there. Some other type of large hoofstock, certainly. I'll miss them.
Edit: Random Asian ungulates that popped in my head that may be neat there of varying degrees of pipe dream:
* Arabian Oryx
* Asian Wild Horse (which would be a regained species)
* Babirusa
* Bactrian Deer
* Banteng
* Barasingha
* Eld's Deer
* Gaur
* Malayan Tapir
* Onager
* Pere David's Deer
* Somali Wild Ass
* Takin (not the first time for this species)
* Visayan Warty Pig
So while it would be a loss there is potential here.
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