Franklin Park Zoo Franklin Park Zoo News 2021
- Thread starter vogelcommando
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On February 1st, the zoo's Facebook announced that their indoor exhibits (Tropical Forest, Franklin's Farm, Bird's World) will now be opened back up to the public again.
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Great! I can't wait to go see them. That's the 1 zebra species I haven't seen.
Actually a person could now see all 3 species in a single day. FPZ also has Grevy's Zebras and Roger Williams has Plains Zebras.
In my opinion they are the prettiest zebra species as well.
There is now a public auction for the naming of the chick. It runs until March 7th.
Kiwi Naming Auction
The zoo is opening its new, $8.1 million outdoor gorilla habitat this summer. The link below contains an image of the exhibit:
Franklin Park Zoo in Boston opening new outdoor gorilla habitat
Franklin Park Zoo in Boston opening new outdoor gorilla habitat
Incredible surprise news today! Hopefully this new Exhibit can start getting the zoo back on the right track to become a top-notch zoo. Any ideas of what the next project should be? And is there any plan to keep siberian cranes on Exhibit anywhere?
The zoo's Facebook page uploaded another image of the planned exhibit but this time its an overhead shot.
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I was hoping they'd keep the moat, but given Little Joe's escape many years ago I guess they didn't really have a choice but to net the whole thing over. For what it's worth, if the gorillas can climb on the netting and if it's densely planted, and if there are no crossviews, this could actually work!
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Ever try to "densely plant" a gorilla exhibit? Especially in a region with a long winter
To be completely honest I just want the gorillas to have outdoor access after so long. A como style exhibit like this works great at that objective. With this outdoor exhibit the zoo will have an excellent gorilla complex, especially considering they have a real nice indoor exhibit.
From the two pictures I saw, it reminds me a lot of Columbus' gorilla exhibit. It's also designed by PJA, which has done some impressive work in the past (including Lincoln Park Zoo Gorilla Exhibit) so I'd expect a great final result.
With hardy bamboo species that are allowed to establish and grow, alongside native species that can be used as "filler", it can be possible. At least, that's to my understanding.
The zoo has been planning a new entrance by Nature's Neighborhoods with Flamingos, expanded space for Red Pandas, and a Watering Hole in the Serengetti Crossing exhibit (here is some more information about that new entrance idea: Franklin Park Zoo Gateway — Coyle & Caron Landscape Architects), but I am so glad that they have put that on hold and are focusing on an outdoor gorilla exhibit instead. To me, the gorilla habitat is way more exciting than a new zoo entrance.
Here is a link I found to a 9 page document regarding the new gorilla habitat: https://www.boston.gov/sites/default/files/file/2020/08/ZNE Landmarks Presentation.pdf. It seems like at one point it was planned on being a mixed species exhibit with gorillas AND colobus monkeys, but that now the plan is to exhibit Gorillas only.
Animallover360
Well-Known Member
I am so excited to hear that the gorillas will be getting the nice, outdoor exhibit they deserve!