Great Plains Zoo and Delbridge Museum of Natural History Great Plains Zoo News

 
Dhole dude said:
The Delbridge Museum of Natural History permenantly closed three days ago. The decision was made due to the potentially harmful chemicals leaking from the taxidermy specimens, which was caused by the types of preservatives originally used on the aging taxidermy.
Natural history museum closes because of chemicals in taxidermy collection
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I think it will be interesting to see what will be done with this space. I would love to see it possibly being renovated into a new exhibit.
 
It's a great loss to have the museum close down and the whole situation is unfortunate. There was close to 20 ecosystems represented and approximately 150 taxidermy specimens, which encouraged visitors to spend at least an extra half an hour at the zoo. I'm sure that the air-conditioned space can be renovated into a type of temporary "special exhibit" gallery with rotating displays, which is one bright spot for the future. Another option would be to create a Reptile House. :)
 
Updates from today’s visit:

. One of the zoo’s Chinese Crocodiles has temporarily moved into the former Arctic Fox exhibit

. All of the birds from the main pond at the entrance have moved into the Australian aviary.

. A Red-Footed Tortoise has been added to the exhibit just behind the Americas building

. The zoo has blocked off the aviaries in-between the Penguins and the Australian Aviary :(.

. The front part of the Delbridge Museum (The Gift Shop & the Mongoose/Hornbill exhibit) we’re still open on my visit, while the rest of the museum was blocked off.

Does anyone know if the zoo still has Ostriches?
The African Savannah closed early today, I wasn’t able to check if they were signed.
 
snowleopard said:
It's a great loss to have the museum close down and the whole situation is unfortunate. There was close to 20 ecosystems represented and approximately 150 taxidermy specimens, which encouraged visitors to spend at least an extra half an hour at the zoo. I'm sure that the air-conditioned space can be renovated into a type of temporary "special exhibit" gallery with rotating displays, which is one bright spot for the future. Another option would be to create a Reptile House. :)
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There is a Facebook group that is dedicated to saving the museum collection and bringing it back to the collection's original home at the West Sioux Hardware Store. Save the Delbridge/Brockhouse collection and bring it back to West Sioux
 
2 Pieces of 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On June 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) generic giraffe named Solstice to the Oklahoma City Zoo in Oklahoma.

We're excited to... - Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Wild wolverine said:
Humboldt penguin chick hatched on June 16: Great Plains Zoo announces penguin chick
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On August 3rd, the zoo announced the penguin's gender, (1.0).

... - Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History

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On September 7th, the zoo announced they rescued, rehabilitated, and released a (1.0) North American river otter back into the wild.

OTTER-ly adorable!! We are thrilled to share the successful release of a young wild otter, thanks to our wildlife rehab program in collaboration with South Dakota Game, Fish & Parks, and Animal Control! This little otter was discovered in a downtown Sioux Falls warehouse. After arriving at GPZ, he underwent a thorough medical exam, including bloodwork and x-rays, to ensure he was in good health. Vet Tech Janelle's main focus was to help him transition from milk to solid foods, ensuring he could hunt and eat independently. Once the otter was confidently swimming and hunting minnows, he was ready for release. Together with SDGPF, we carefully selected a release site along the river and watched the otter swim back to the wild! If you have concerns about injured or orphaned wildlife, call your local Animal Control or GFP - if necessary, they will intervene and get in contact with a local rehab facility! . . . #GPZ #Zoo #SiouxFalls #Otters #WildlifeRehab #ReleaseDay #release | Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History | Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History · Original audio

On September 6th, the zoo announced they started construction on the new Splash Pad area which will open later in 2023.

Exciting News! Splash Pad Construction is officially underway! As we gear up to bring you the coolest water play area in the zoo, a few trees had to... | By Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History | Facebook
We... - Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History
 
The zoo posted their 15 year master plan draft, and it's a total re-imagining of the campus; a new aquarium integrated with the butterfly house, a new "forest edge" exhibit that would house a number of smaller primates, a grasslands exhibit with kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies, bactrian camels and amur tigers, an amphitheater, a potential smaller Delbridge Museum, a new flamingo feeding experience, expanded snow leopard, pallas' cat, red panda, bear, wolf and rhino exhibits, an otter exhibit, re-imagined farm, new north american raptor exhibit, and a new layout for the Africa exhibit.

Can't wait to see how this pans out!


https://amv.siouxfalls.gov/OnBaseAgendaOnline/Documents/DownloadFileBytes/GPZ MBP CC Presentation merged 3-25-24.pdf.pdf?documentType=1&meetingId=3758&itemId=176752&publishId=125749&isSection=False&isAttachment=True
 
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