El Paso Zoo El Paso Zoo news
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On February 1st, the zoo announced they will be transferring a (0.1) yellow anaconda to another facility (unspecified) in the near future.
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Zoo preparing for the birth of first giraffe calf:
El Paso Zoo prepares for first-ever giraffe birth
Gigi the giraffe is pregnant and will deliver her calf in the coming weeks. This marks the first giraffe birth for the El Paso Zoo.
El Paso Zoo prepares for first-ever giraffe birth
Gigi the giraffe is pregnant and will deliver her calf in the coming weeks. This marks the first giraffe birth for the El Paso Zoo.
El Paso's entire prairie dog colony disappeared sometime during the winter of 2021, along with a meerkat. Sounds like a predator situation. https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/col...rs-from-el-paso-zoo-according-to-usda-report/
For the first time in the Zoo’s history, a giraffe calf was born! 
It’s a boy, and was born on April 19th.
It’s a boy! Gigi welcomes baby giraffe at El Paso Zoo
It’s a boy, and was born on April 19th.It’s a boy! Gigi welcomes baby giraffe at El Paso Zoo
A town of one dozen prairie dogs has arrived, replacing the town that mysteriously vanished.
El Paso Zoo welcomes new town of prairie dogs - KVIA
El Paso Zoo welcomes new town of prairie dogs - KVIA
For the first time in the Zoo’s history, a giraffe calf was born!
It’s a boy! Gigi welcomes baby giraffe at El Paso Zoo
On July 11th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2+) slender-tailed meerkats which are now on exhibit. Also on July 11th, the zoo announced the name of the giraffe, Obi (and has made its public debut), as well as announced that they moved their (1.0) Galapagos tortoise named Mr. Potatohead to the guanaco exhibit while the Galapagos Barn is being renovated.
El Paso Zoo - We've recently had some confusion between...
Gigi and her new son, Obi, are getting a bit more comfortable on exhibit! Staff allows Gigi and Obi to come and go on exhibit as they choose every... | By El Paso Zoo | Facebook
El Paso Zoo - Some of you guessed it! Mr. Potatohead is...
On July 14th, the zoo announced that they built a new exhibit for its blue-and-yellow macaw and military macaw which are now on exhibit.
El Paso Zoo - Our Macaws love their new exhibit near the...
On August 16th, it was reported that the opening of the Magellanic penguin exhibit has been delayed to spring 2024.
Womp Womp: El Paso Zoo Penguin Exhibit Opening Delayed
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Taj, a 7 year old male Indian Rhinoceros from the Woodland Park Zoo, will arrive at the zoo in the next few weeks.
Woodland Park Zoo on Instagram: "Big news, Taj the rhino is scheduled to move in a couple of weeks to El Paso Zoo. Greater one-horned rhinos Taj and Glenn have been together longer than any other male pairing in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, but both just turned 7 and are naturally becoming more territorial with age. In the wild, the home ranges of adult males overlap to some degree, which essentially is how Glenn and Taj have lived at the zoo. For the near term, Glenn will be the sole rhino at the zoo. We are deinitely going to miss Taj, and miss the days when the two could be together, but we are excited about their new chapter as they continue to grow. For all the details on the big move, a recap on rhino zoomies, and how animal keepers are preparing both rhinos for this change, read our latest blog at link in bio or bit.ly/tajbigmove. #woodlandparkzoo #greateronehornedrhino #zoomies #animalcare #bigmove #rhino #endangered #rhinoceros"
Woodland Park Zoo on Instagram: "Big news, Taj the rhino is scheduled to move in a couple of weeks to El Paso Zoo. Greater one-horned rhinos Taj and Glenn have been together longer than any other male pairing in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, but both just turned 7 and are naturally becoming more territorial with age. In the wild, the home ranges of adult males overlap to some degree, which essentially is how Glenn and Taj have lived at the zoo. For the near term, Glenn will be the sole rhino at the zoo. We are deinitely going to miss Taj, and miss the days when the two could be together, but we are excited about their new chapter as they continue to grow. For all the details on the big move, a recap on rhino zoomies, and how animal keepers are preparing both rhinos for this change, read our latest blog at link in bio or bit.ly/tajbigmove. #woodlandparkzoo #greateronehornedrhino #zoomies #animalcare #bigmove #rhino #endangered #rhinoceros"
On November 17th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) siamang named Eerie to the ABQ BioPark in New Mexico.
ABQ BioPark Brings in Some New Animals, Helps Others Move to New Homes — City of Albuquerque
On November 21st, it was reported that the zoo will open the Magellanic penguin exhibit on the weekend of December 9th/December 10th.
El Paso Zoo Magellanic penguin exhibit set to open Dec. 9-10
ABQ BioPark Brings in Some New Animals, Helps Others Move to New Homes — City of Albuquerque
On November 21st, it was reported that the zoo will open the Magellanic penguin exhibit on the weekend of December 9th/December 10th.
El Paso Zoo Magellanic penguin exhibit set to open Dec. 9-10
Taj has arrived.
El Paso Zoo welcomes Taj, its very first rhinoceros - KVIA
In addition, the Magellanic penguin habitat opened a couple days ago.
El Paso Zoo opens Magellanic penguin oasis for immersive visitor experience
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Taj is NOT actually the zoo's first rhinoceros. They had white rhinos at the zoo from 1976-1983.
GOH rhino Taj will live in a separate enclosure on the elephant complex next to their one remaining Asiatic elephant Savannah. The zoo director mentioned that they eventually plan (hope so) to also house females to start breeding the species at El Paso.
The Magellanic penguin colony has 20 birds and is next to the Galapagos giant tortoise habitat (earlier their male Potato Head was temporarily shifted to the guanaco exhibit in the zoo to enable the Galapagos tortoise exhibit to be renovated). Any idea when both the penguin and giant tortoise exhibits will be opened?
Really some nice new exhibits have come up in the wake of the masterplan (Chihuahuan desert, new Asian area) and new animals introduced. The first results like orang utan baby, new tapir, new giraffe (a female that has now calved - a first for El Paso), new housing for their macaws and the Magellanic Penguins.
Queries:
Does anyone know what (new) species they have in their Nelly renovated Reptile House?
Przewalski horse: they have just one breeding pair (the mare just had another filly this year)?
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Yes, they have a Przewalski‘s horse stallion named Vitalis and a mare named Brianna. Their most recent offspring was a filly born September 2022. Their two previous foals are now in Minnesota and San Diego.
There’s a species list dated last year, which lists the species in the reptile house: El Paso Zoo Full Species List [El Paso Zoo]
The penguin exhibit is now open: El Paso Zoo opens Magellanic penguin oasis for immersive visitor experience
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Piece of November 2023 News Not Mentioned:
On November 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) spider monkey (species not specified) to Keepers of the Wild in Arizona after being relinquished by a private owner.
MEET "ABU"- OUR NEWEST RESCUED... - Keepers of the Wild
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On January 3rd, 2024, the zoo announced that their (0.1) sun bear named Heliana passed away at age 30 due to an ongoing battle with cancer.
El Paso Zoo - The El Paso Zoo is mourning the passing of...
On November 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) spider monkey (species not specified) to Keepers of the Wild in Arizona after being relinquished by a private owner.
MEET "ABU"- OUR NEWEST RESCUED... - Keepers of the Wild
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On January 3rd, 2024, the zoo announced that their (0.1) sun bear named Heliana passed away at age 30 due to an ongoing battle with cancer.
El Paso Zoo - The El Paso Zoo is mourning the passing of...
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
The zoo's sole elephant, Savannah, has passed away from arthritis complications at the age of 71. She was also the oldest living captive Asian Elephant in the world.
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens mourns death of beloved Asian elephant Savannah | KTSM 9 News
El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens mourns death of beloved Asian elephant Savannah | KTSM 9 News
One small correction: there are presently 10 penguins.
Rest in Peace.
The zoo has commented in the past that when she passes away ..., the site will be given over to the rhino (long term goal a breeding pair at least).
Yes, Indian Rhino if I can recall correctly. They'd be well suited to her current enclosure with minor renovations.
New exhibit opening (Indian rhinoceros):
El Paso Zoo welcomes first ever rhino - KVIA
The new rhino is a male Indian rhinoceros named ‘Taj’.
El Paso Zoo welcomes first ever rhino - KVIA
The new rhino is a male Indian rhinoceros named ‘Taj’.
Piece of February 2024 News Not Mentioned:
On February 17th, it was announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) blood python named Credence and a (0.0.1) red-tailed boa named Yuki from The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah in March 2023 which are animal ambassadors.
https://livingplanetaquarium.org/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report-2023.pdf
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On March 12th, it was reported that the El Paso City Council voted on February 26th that they would not be renewing their contract with the Zoological Society which ended on March 17th. Initially, the city did not provide a reason for why they ended the contract, though it was later stated that they did not complete projects on time, which the Zoological Society disagreed. Also mentioned was that the next project to be funded was a new exhibit for flamingos.
City ends longtime contract with Zoological Society
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-pa...all-out-contract-eviction-ceo-board-president
On March 19th, it was reported that the city released a 39-page audit on the Zoological Society, of which the issues include:
- The zoo took longer than 30-60 days to bill the society for events and the society took longer than 30-60 days to pay said bills [The society claims they had to be invoiced by the city/zoo of which some invoices never came.]
- The society raised or lowered memberships without approval from the zoo's director [The society claims they did receive approval from the director, with email receipts]
- The society failed to turn in financial statements between the years of 2021 - 2023 [The society claims that the new zoo management (i.e. the director) prevented them as instead of handing over quarterly/annual reports to the zoo and the city, during the new management, they sent the reports only to the zoo]
- There was a lack of a fundraising plan, as the society's event manager and the zoo director planned events one at a time [The society claims the director is at fault, as they asked him to present the project and he declined]
- The society/director failed to show proof of insurance for "Employee Dishonestly"
- The director failed to turn in documents, provide a capital campaign, and created his own volunteer program
The zoo would go on to respond to the 6+ problems that were outlined in the audit, and explain that they thought the city was using the audit against them instead of negotiation.*
https://cbs4local.com/news/local/au...lations-by-el-paso-zoo-and-zoological-society
https://cbs4local.com/news/local/el...-agreement-partnership-director-joe-montisano
On March 21st, the zoo announced they installed new nest boxes for wild burrowing owls on facility grounds.
El Paso Zoo
*I am going to use [] and bold text for the zoo's response on each point.
On February 17th, it was announced that they acquired a (0.0.1) blood python named Credence and a (0.0.1) red-tailed boa named Yuki from The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Utah in March 2023 which are animal ambassadors.
https://livingplanetaquarium.org/wp-content/uploads/Annual-Report-2023.pdf
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On March 12th, it was reported that the El Paso City Council voted on February 26th that they would not be renewing their contract with the Zoological Society which ended on March 17th. Initially, the city did not provide a reason for why they ended the contract, though it was later stated that they did not complete projects on time, which the Zoological Society disagreed. Also mentioned was that the next project to be funded was a new exhibit for flamingos.
City ends longtime contract with Zoological Society
https://kfoxtv.com/news/local/el-pa...all-out-contract-eviction-ceo-board-president
On March 19th, it was reported that the city released a 39-page audit on the Zoological Society, of which the issues include:
- The zoo took longer than 30-60 days to bill the society for events and the society took longer than 30-60 days to pay said bills [The society claims they had to be invoiced by the city/zoo of which some invoices never came.]
- The society raised or lowered memberships without approval from the zoo's director [The society claims they did receive approval from the director, with email receipts]
- The society failed to turn in financial statements between the years of 2021 - 2023 [The society claims that the new zoo management (i.e. the director) prevented them as instead of handing over quarterly/annual reports to the zoo and the city, during the new management, they sent the reports only to the zoo]
- There was a lack of a fundraising plan, as the society's event manager and the zoo director planned events one at a time [The society claims the director is at fault, as they asked him to present the project and he declined]
- The society/director failed to show proof of insurance for "Employee Dishonestly"
- The director failed to turn in documents, provide a capital campaign, and created his own volunteer program
The zoo would go on to respond to the 6+ problems that were outlined in the audit, and explain that they thought the city was using the audit against them instead of negotiation.*
https://cbs4local.com/news/local/au...lations-by-el-paso-zoo-and-zoological-society
https://cbs4local.com/news/local/el...-agreement-partnership-director-joe-montisano
On March 21st, the zoo announced they installed new nest boxes for wild burrowing owls on facility grounds.
El Paso Zoo
*I am going to use [] and bold text for the zoo's response on each point.