Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Future Exhibits

Contract has been finalized for the Reptile/Amphibian House and a Southwest Desert Building (part of the new Reptile House?), both to be completed in 2011.

In a related development, the city Board of Public Works approved a $6.9 million contract for the construction of a new reptile and amphibian exhibit at the Zoo as well as the construction of a new Southwest Desert Building. Total cost was estimated at $8.2 million, below the city's estimate of more than $9 million. The project is being funded with a 1998 bond issue approved by voters as part of the Zoo's master plan. It will replace the long-abandoned polar bear grotto, alligator and seal pools, spokesman Jason Jacobs said. LaBonge said the facility, scheduled to open in 2011, is widely anticipated. "Kids, in particular, are fascinated by snakes and reptiles and we think it will turn out to be one of the more popular attractions we have at the Zoo," LaBonge said. The contract was awarded to Royal Construction Corp. of Arcadia.
Click to expand...
 
okapikpr said:
Contract has been finalized for the Reptile/Amphibian House and a Southwest Desert Building (part of the new Reptile House?), both to be completed in 2011.
Click to expand...

Yes, the Southwest Desert Building will be part of the Reptile complex, but will exhibit only native reptile/amphibian species to Southern California and Northwest Mexico.
 
That is really cool that the zoo will emphasize a focus on local herps. This complex sounds amazing and i am very excitied about it.
 
okapikpr said:
That is really cool that the zoo will emphasize a focus on local herps. This complex sounds amazing and i am very excitied about it.
Click to expand...

I'm also excited, although the whole complex won't have lots of species, it is still going to be way better than the old reptile house.
 
Blackduiker

mstickmanp said:
I'm also excited, although the whole complex won't have lots of species, it is still going to be way better than the old reptile house.
Click to expand...

Is there any estimate of species to be displayed? We are talking reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Hopefully there will be more than one level, though the last plan I saw left some doubt. I really liked the original plan to combine the reptile/amphibian building with the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit.
 
Blackduiker said:
Is there any estimate of species to be displayed? We are talking reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Hopefully there will be more than one level, though the last plan I saw left some doubt. I really liked the original plan to combine the reptile/amphibian building with the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit.
Click to expand...

I'm not sure how many, but the reptile keeper that told me this did say that it would be less than what was there before. The good news is that they will be "rare" (he did mention giant salamanders!) species according to the keeper.

The buildings (one main building and a smaller building) are going to be both one level.

According to the keeper, they should start construction on the reptile house by the end of the month.
 
Great to hear that they plan on having giant salamanders in their new herp house. Does anyone know what crocodilians will be on display? According to ISIS and Tomistoma Task Force they still have a 1.1 ratio of tomistomas and wanted to know if they will be on display?
 
I am just mega-fascinated with the new Reptile and Amphibian Center. If anyone should find out load and clear what rare and endangered species go in there beyond the Carribean rock lizards, Tomistomas and giant salamanders, I keep myself recommended.
 
I just saw a comment on another photo thread that says the jaguar exhibit has been cut from Rainforest of the Americas. This can't be true, can it? (And if so, are they going to keep the jaguar they have in that horrendous small roundhouse cage?).
 
Arizona Docent said:
I just saw a comment on another photo thread that says the jaguar exhibit has been cut from Rainforest of the Americas. This can't be true, can it? (And if so, are they going to keep the jaguar they have in that horrendous small roundhouse cage?).
Click to expand...

Sorry, I have no idea of what is going to happen with the jaguar exhibit. Hopefully once Elephants of Asia and the Reptile house opens more info will be made available about the project.
 
I thought funding had been provided a few months ago, to reinstate the plans for Jaguars. I would think that would be like leaving out the star attraction.
 
Blackduiker said:
I thought funding had been provided a few months ago, to reinstate the plans for Jaguars. I would think that would be like leaving out the star attraction.
Click to expand...

That's what I thought but so far the plans still have the jaguar exhibit out of the complex.
 
Went to zoo yesterday and I have some news!

-The new female serval went on exhibit, but the exhibit was roped off to give her time to adjust. When I went to see her the male was very active marking all of his side of the exhibit and seemed very excited to finally have a girlfriend!

-Also, I noticed a new map with the Sarus Crane on the cover. The Sarus Crane exhibit is now included in that new map.
 
The monthly status report under the construction update link, on the zoo's website, gives a completion date of August 1, 2011. This is due to several design changes that were made.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top