Elmwood Park Zoo Elmwood Park Zoo News

On May 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired a sand boa named Nagini which is an ambassador animal.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On May 13th, the zoo announced that they will be opening the new Welcome Center & Veterinary Health Center on June 27th, with yearly members would be given early access from June 24th to June 26th.

Elmwood Park Zoo Prepares to Reveal New Industry-leading Veterinary Health Center and Welcome Center - Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo
Smaggledagle said:
On March 1st, the zoo announced that (0.0.3) Chacoan peccaries were born.

Elmwood Park Zoo
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On May 17th, the zoo officially named the peccaries Cinnamon, Nutmeg, and Sage.

Elmwood Park Zoo
 
Has anyone visited the new Welcome Center? Been meaning to go when it gets a bit cooler (has been highs in the 90s in the Philly area for the past couple weeks)
 
Antimony96 said:
Has anyone visited the new Welcome Center? Been meaning to go when it gets a bit cooler (has been highs in the 90s in the Philly area for the past couple weeks)
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Yes, the new welcome center is very nice. Not all of it is operational yet (vet exam room, kitchen, and outdoor golden lion tamarin exhibit), but the indoor exhibits for black footed ferrets, spotted and box turtles, and golden lion tamarins/crested wood partridge are great. There are interactive kiosks with information and quizzes about the animals throughout that are great for kids. There is also lots of sinage and information around the viewing windows for the exam rooms and kitchen talking about what goes on and how they care for the animals.

In in a behind the scenes tour they talked a lot about the new vet center, they will be able to bring animals up to the size of a zebra directly into the exam room, and they also have a CT machine, and evidently the nearest zoo with an in house CT machine is the Columbus zoo. They also discussed the fact that the vet center is really the first step in their plan for big expansion, and this will give them the facilities to quarantine and care for the new species they plan to bring in (tigers, tapir etc.)
 
Stupid question that I’m almost certain I know the answer to, but want corroboration before I update ZTL: does this zoo have, or has it ever had, jaguarundi?

I know that the species is all but nonexistent in US zoos, but ZTL cites this video as evidence (timestamp 7:21), claiming that this exhibit is rotational between ocelot, coati, and jaguarundi. I can sort of see how they come to that conclusion based on them being given equal weight on the educational signage, but I certainly would not have come to the same conclusion myself without something else to support it. USDA of course makes no mention of them. Like I said, it’s implausible enough on its own especially with USDA backing it up, but I wanted to hear someone else say it to be sure.
 
biggest_dreamer said:
Stupid question that I’m almost certain I know the answer to, but want corroboration before I update ZTL: does this zoo have, or has it ever had, jaguarundi?

I know that the species is all but nonexistent in US zoos, but ZTL cites this video as evidence (timestamp 7:21), claiming that this exhibit is rotational between ocelot, coati, and jaguarundi. I can sort of see how they come to that conclusion based on them being given equal weight on the educational signage, but I certainly would not have come to the same conclusion myself without something else to support it. USDA of course makes no mention of them. Like I said, it’s implausible enough on its own especially with USDA backing it up, but I wanted to hear someone else say it to be sure.
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The earlier part of the thread will provide a discussion about that. The short answer is no, Elmwood Park never had Jaguarundi, but they were apparently one of several US zoos that had plans on importing the species. Read this thead for more info as well: Lack of Jaguarundi & Margay program in the US?

ZTL US listings have too many cracks like this because people who haven't even visited the zoos they post about, use evidence like the video above, a random blurb about an animal on a zoo website, outdated USDA reports and other poor sources as confirmation that a zoo holds/held certain species.
 
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SusScrofa said:
ZTL US listings have too many cracks like this because people who haven't even visited the zoos they post about, use evidence like the video above, a random blurb about an animal on a zoo website, outdated USDA reports and other poor sources as confirmation that a zoo holds/held certain species.
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This is an extremely true statement - in addition there are numerous cases of people adding incorrect information even from when they have reportedly visited. Anything on ZTL should always be taken with a good pinch of salt.
 
On November 12th, the zoo announced their (0.1) miniature donkey named Jenny passed away at age 24 due to liver failure.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On August 10th, the zoo announced that (1.2) Chacoan peccaries were born which are on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On August 23rd, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Reeve's muntjac (later named Clover) was born which is on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo

On September 10th, the zoo announced their (0.1) Virginia opossum named Poppy passed away at age 3 1/2.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On September 16th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) North American porcupine named Spork passed away at age 13 1/2 due to a decline in health caused by advanced kidney disease.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On September 20th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) striped skunk named Brie passed away at age 10.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On November 26th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Himalayan monal named Dug which is on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On December 5th, the zoo announced they are in the process of renovating the main exhibit in Harmony Hideaway.

Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo
Elmwood Park Zoo

On January 14th, 2025, the zoo announced their (1.0) boa constrictor named Rocky passed away at 18 1/2 due to a decline in health likely caused by cancer.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On January 23rd, the zoo announced their (1.0) peregrine falcon named Vincent passed away.

Elmwood Park Zoo
 
Piece of February 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On February 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) white-faced whistling duck named Ophelia from the Mesker Park Zoo in Indiana which is now on exhibit.

3.6K views · 112 reactions | Meet Ophelia ❤️ | Love is in the air this Valentine’s Day! ❤️ Meet Ophelia, a female white-faced whistling duck who recently came to us from our friends at Mesker Park... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook

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Also on February 21st, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) North American porcupine named Hot Plate from an unspecified wildlife rehabber after it was deemed unreleasable which is now on exhibit.

30K views · 935 reactions | Meet Hot Plate! | Meet our newest resident: Hot Plate! Orphaned in Michigan, Hot Plate was rescued and cared for by a licensed wildlife rehabilitation center. When... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook
 
Another Piece of February 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On February 25th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) ocelot named Rio which is now on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo

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On March 25th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) Linne's two-toed sloth named Beanie from the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island which is now on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo
 
On April 3rd, the zoo announced their (1.0) miniature donkey named Pickles passed away at age 27.

587K views · 34K reactions | In Memory of Pickles | With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Pickles, our beloved 27-year-old donkey, who touched the lives of many at our zoo. Guests who had a chance to... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook

On May 18th, the zoo announced they acquired 4 Pygmy goats named Ghost, Phantom, Spectre, and Spirit which are now on display in the Barnyard area.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On May 8th, the zoo officially opened a new giraffe deck to the public.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On May 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) Chacoan peccary to Sequoia Park Zoo in California.

Sequoia Park Zoo

On May 15th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) North American river otter named Jet which is now on exhibit.

74K views · 1.7K reactions | Meet Jet ! | Piper's got a new roommate! Meet Jet, the 2-year-old male North American River Otter joining our female, Piper. Jet comes to us from another... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook

On May 16th, the zoo announced that during a storm, a tree fell on top of a primate exhibit as well as the guest path, causing minor injuries to several guests, though no animals were injured.

Elmwood Park Zoo

Sometime in May, the zoo announced they acquired an Allegheny woodrat named Templeton which is now on display in Trail of the Jaguar*.

Allegheny Woodrat - Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired 2 white-headed marmosets named Carlito and Pico which are now on display in Habitat HQ.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 5th, the zoo announced that 5 Brazilian teals hatched which are now on display in Harmony Hideaway.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 6th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Reeve's muntjac was born which is now on display (with additional fencing around its exhibit for the fawn to acclimate).

Elmwood Park Zoo

* The zoo also no longer lists lowland paca and, more importantly, white-throated woodrat on their website anymore. Though lowland paca still appears on the USDA list from April 2025, white-throated woodrat (which was only listed as having 1 individual in October 2024) was missing in 2025. I personally believe (as I can't visit the zoo) the Allegheny replaced the white-throated after it passed/transferred to another collection.
 
Smaggledagle said:
On April 3rd, the zoo announced their (1.0) miniature donkey named Pickles passed away at age 27.

587K views · 34K reactions | In Memory of Pickles | With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Pickles, our beloved 27-year-old donkey, who touched the lives of many at our zoo. Guests who had a chance to... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook

On May 18th, the zoo announced they acquired 4 Pygmy goats named Ghost, Phantom, Spectre, and Spirit which are now on display in the Barnyard area.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On May 8th, the zoo officially opened a new giraffe deck to the public.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On May 12th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) Chacoan peccary to Sequoia Park Zoo in California.

Sequoia Park Zoo

On May 15th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) North American river otter named Jet which is now on exhibit.

74K views · 1.7K reactions | Meet Jet ! | Piper's got a new roommate! Meet Jet, the 2-year-old male North American River Otter joining our female, Piper. Jet comes to us from another... | By Elmwood Park Zoo | Facebook

On May 16th, the zoo announced that during a storm, a tree fell on top of a primate exhibit as well as the guest path, causing minor injuries to several guests, though no animals were injured.

Elmwood Park Zoo

Sometime in May, the zoo announced they acquired an Allegheny woodrat named Templeton which is now on display in Trail of the Jaguar*.

Allegheny Woodrat - Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 2nd, the zoo announced they acquired 2 white-headed marmosets named Carlito and Pico which are now on display in Habitat HQ.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 5th, the zoo announced that 5 Brazilian teals hatched which are now on display in Harmony Hideaway.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 6th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Reeve's muntjac was born which is now on display (with additional fencing around its exhibit for the fawn to acclimate).

Elmwood Park Zoo

* The zoo also no longer lists lowland paca and, more importantly, white-throated woodrat on their website anymore. Though lowland paca still appears on the USDA list from April 2025, white-throated woodrat (which was only listed as having 1 individual in October 2024) was missing in 2025. I personally believe (as I can't visit the zoo) the Allegheny replaced the white-throated after it passed/transferred to another collection.
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The white-throated woodrat passed away recently. He was 9 years old which is really old for a woodrat.

the lowland paca was also moved to another facility.
 
On July 30th, the zoo announced their male (1.0) Jacob sheep named Honky Tonk passed away the week prior.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On June 15th, the zoo announced that 3 Brazilian teals hatched the week prior, which are on exhibit.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On July 13th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 African pygmy hedghogs named Dahlia and Primrose, which are now ambassador animals.

Elmwood Park Zoo

On July 31st, the zoo announced they acquired a male (1.0) central bearded dragon named Reptar, which is now an ambassador animal.

Elmwood Park Zoo
 
TWANG the Jacob Sheep has passed away.
Elmwood Park Zoo on Instagram: "We are saddened to share the passing of our Jacob sheep, Twang, a beloved member of our Barn. At 14 years old, Twang lived long past the life expectancy for his species. He was the last of the seven Jacob sheep that called Elmwood Park Zoo home since 2011. Many longtime guests may remember him fondly as the "Noodle Sheep," known for wearing a brightly colored pool noodle over one of his horns: a clever solution to keep him from playfully butting his brothers. Lead Barn Keeper Megan had this to say about our lovely noodle-wearing friend: "Twang the Jacob Sheep will be greatly missed. He would always come over to keepers for scratches and snacks, and was often quite vocal. He was often seen sunning himself in the yard, headbutting doorways, and enjoying neck scratches from keepers and interns that were often followed by a little tail wag." As we remember Twang, our animal care team continues to thoughtfully evaluate the mix of species that best thrive in our environment. We currently have no plans to reintroduce sheep. We will instead focus on enhancing the care and experiences of our goats and cows, who are naturally more interactive and better suited to the educational, hands-on nature of the Barn."
 
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