Franklin Park Zoo Franklin Park Zoo News 2024

I visited yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to see scores and scores of new trees planted throughout the zoo. They are mixed species and mostly under and among older trees. They are mostly about six+ feet tall and have protective stakes. Trees are vital to a zoo and an urban park, so it's great to see this significant investment in the future.

Also, could someone please tell me what used to be in the large abandoned area behind Birds World? It looks like a series of pathways and what might have been waterways.
 
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gardener14 said:
I visited yesterday, and I was pleasantly surprised to see scores and scores of new trees planted throughout the zoo. They are mixed species and mostly under and among older trees. They are mostly about six+ feet tall and have protective stakes. Trees are vital to a zoo and an urban park, so it's great to see this significant investment in the future.

Also, could someone please tell me what used to be in the large abandoned area behind Birds World? It looks like a series of pathways and what might have been waterways.
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The area behind Birds World has been multiple things over time. It used to be an insect exhibition where there were many large, some animatronic insects but no real insects. It also has been a dinosaur exhibition where they had some large dinosaurs that made sounds and moved around their heads.
 
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3 said:
The area behind Birds World has been multiple things over time. It used to be an insect exhibition where there were many large, some animatronic insects but no real insects. It also has been a dinosaur exhibition where they had some large dinosaurs that made sounds and moved around their heads.
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I'm aware of those more recent uses, but the walkways and waterways look like they were there long before that. One of the dry waterways looks like it used to emanate from the current crane habitat (forget flamingo habitat). I suspect there used to be animal habitats in that area, and I hope somebody knows it's history.
 
Neil chace said:
I noticed today on the zoo's website that they now have a page for Madagascar sacred ibises:
Zoo New England

Does anyone know anything about this exciting new addition to the zoo?
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When I visited recently there were a few new birds being acclimated to the tropical forest building. There was tape on all the glass. I believe the picture in the link you shared is what I saw and what I suspected were the new additions.
 
A male kookaburra hatched in April.

Facebook announcement:
"The healthy male chick hatched in late April and has been keeping his parents busy, as both parents feed and dote on the chick in the cozy nest box. Our veterinary and animal care teams report the little guy is strong and thriving. Any day now, he will start testing out his wings"

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I visited today for the first time this year, and have a couple updates:

The zoo posted a rendering by the former ocelot exhibit, showing how it may be renovated for the incoming clouded leopards. In the image, the exhibit's iron bars are replaced with glass windows for better viewing opportunities. The image also shows additional plantings and climbing structures.

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We have also now gotten some clarity on the construction that has been going on by the Tropical Forest exit. Apparently it is for the restoration of a historic rock garden that has lain abandoned and unused for many years. The construction should be completed in 2026.

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Overall, its nice to see a lot of new things coming to FPZ in the near future. The new clouded leopard exhibit, the rock garden, and of course the penguin complex will all open in the next few years.
 
I have not been to the Franklin Park Zoo in a while but last time I went the Slither Inn was closed. Does anyone know what the zoo is doing with it?
 
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3 said:
I have not been to the Franklin Park Zoo in a while but last time I went the Slither Inn was closed. Does anyone know what the zoo is doing with it?
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The main exhibit was renovated with a permanent pool built in instead of the black plastic pool. I believe the smaller exhibits were also renovated/replaced. It was open again as of my last visit a few weeks ago.
 
ZooElephantMan said:
I visited today for the first time this year, and have a couple updates:

The zoo posted a rendering by the former ocelot exhibit, showing how it may be renovated for the incoming clouded leopards. In the image, the exhibit's iron bars are replaced with glass windows for better viewing opportunities. The image also shows additional plantings and climbing structures.

full


We have also now gotten some clarity on the construction that has been going on by the Tropical Forest exit. Apparently it is for the restoration of a historic rock garden that has lain abandoned and unused for many years. The construction should be completed in 2026.

full


Overall, its nice to see a lot of new things coming to FPZ in the near future. The new clouded leopard exhibit, the rock garden, and of course the penguin complex will all open in the next few years.
Click to expand...
I love how the FPZ is overhauling the old bar exclosure with a glass-frame housing and exhibit adapted to the crepuscular beauty that are clouded leopards.

For the garden and landscaping part: it is an excellent project to rejuvenate this part of the zoo and bring back some of the old splendour and glory to the botany aspect of FPZ. I applaud zoo management for doing so!
 
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