Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Henry Doorly Zoo News

I'm not sure if this has posted somewhere within the labyrinth that this thread has become, but here is an old link that contains an updated map of the zoo that includes the Arctic area, Madagascar, and the future elephant exhibit.

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section
 
snowleopard said:
I'm not sure if this has posted somewhere within the labyrinth that this thread has become, but here is an old link that contains an updated map of the zoo that includes the Arctic area, Madagascar, and the future elephant exhibit.

Omaha.com Metro/Region Section
Click to expand...

Even though that article (and map) are old, it's still very exciting. My thoughts:
1. Dr. Simmons took me to see the new Madasgascar exhibit last summer, as it was under construction. It's pretty exciting that they will introduce a walk-through Lemur exhibit! I've seen these in Europe (in Berlin and Prague), but never in America. Below is a link to a picture of me petting a black-and-white ruffed lemur at the Berlin Tierpark.
Zoo Photo Gallery - America's Best Zoos

2. I'm sure that Elephant exhibit will be great! What stands out (from the map) to me is that it appears the new exhibit will be where there are now private houses. To me that's a weird experience at the back of this Zoo, that there are people there who can walk out their front door and see elephants and rhinos!

3. The species on the Arctic exhibit sure sounds great: polar bears, seals, walruses, salmon and sea otters.
 
This is definitely the best zoo I've been to. I had heard rumors that they were going to build a giant panda exhibit. I do think the others sound interesting and think the elephant exhibit should be expanded. I only saw two when I was there. Are there more? Are they bulls? Two seems like a small number if they are cows. Also, does anyone know why this zoo has some of the gorillas alone? I don't mean to nitpick but am just curious.
On another note, I think the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit is the best I've seen in any zoo, especially the swamp section. I also enjoyed the Desert Dome, aviary, and Lied Jungle. This is a first class zoo all the way.
 
elefante said:
This is definitely the best zoo I've been to. I had heard rumors that they were going to build a giant panda exhibit. I do think the others sound interesting and think the elephant exhibit should be expanded. I only saw two when I was there. Are there more? Are they bulls? Two seems like a small number if they are cows. Also, does anyone know why this zoo has some of the gorillas alone? I don't mean to nitpick but am just curious.
On another note, I think the Kingdoms of the Night exhibit is the best I've seen in any zoo, especially the swamp section. I also enjoyed the Desert Dome, aviary, and Lied Jungle. This is a first class zoo all the way.
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1) Pandas. That idea is really really really far fetched for them at the moment. Oakland is next in line in North America for pandas and maybe Toronto, if they're lucky, after them. The Panda thing probably wont happen for at least 15 years if it happens at all.

2) Elephants. Shenga and Maliaka are both females. The zoo has actually only had three elephants in their history with the passing of Penny back in 2001. They dont have room to house more females and to my knowledge, are not equipped to handle a Bull.

3) Gorillas. I'm not as familiar with Omaha's gorilla troop but some gorillas choose to live solitarily. They also have a large quantity of males (10 as opposed to 3 females) so displaying multiple harems is out of the question. They might have a bachelor group but what you saw was probably a solitary silverback.
 
RE. Pandas

The Albequerque Zoo and Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo were both originally supossed to recieve a pair for sure but instead, China decided to send one pair to Oakland for sure and another to Toronto (maybe)

It would be nice if they do acquire pandas but it is like ColoumbusZoo001 said, a long way off

Also, The elephants are due to recieve a 12 acre exhibit by 2015 (will most likely be delayed) complete with the only elephant underwater viewing in the country
 
Zoogoer2000 said:
RE. Pandas

The Albequerque Zoo and Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo were both originally supossed to recieve a pair for sure but instead, China decided to send one pair to Oakland for sure and another to Toronto (maybe)

It would be nice if they do acquire pandas but it is like ColoumbusZoo001 said, a long way off

Also, The elephants are due to recieve a 12 acre exhibit by 2015 (will most likely be delayed) complete with the only elephant underwater viewing in the country
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The Oakland/China panda deal is 100% "off." A facility was built for pandas but will house baboons instead.
 
Oh, thats such a shame, what happened there?

China seems to never follow through with promises, lets review shall we

Promises Broken

Panda Deal: LA Zoo (promised golden monkeys instead)
Panda Deal: Albequerque Zoo (said pandas would go to Oakland/Toronto)
Panda Deal: Henry Doorly Zoo (said pandas would go to Oakland/Toronto)
Panda Deal: Oakland Zoo (even after exhibit construction)
Golden Monkey Deal: LA Zoo (promised pandas, then golden monkey, they constructed the entire exhibit and everything and then were told they would'nt recive them)

Yet they sent pandas to Memphis and Atlanta, sure there great zoos, but ithink the zoo's mentioned above could have provided better homes

And the Toronto Zoo Deal is bound to fall through as well (there isn't a vfery strong deal in the first place)
 
Zoogoer2000 said:
Oh, thats such a shame, what happened there?

China seems to never follow through with promises, lets review shall we

Promises Broken

Panda Deal: LA Zoo (promised golden monkeys instead)
Panda Deal: Albequerque Zoo (said pandas would go to Oakland/Toronto)
Panda Deal: Henry Doorly Zoo (said pandas would go to Oakland/Toronto)
Panda Deal: Oakland Zoo (even after exhibit construction)
Golden Monkey Deal: LA Zoo (promised pandas, then golden monkey, they constructed the entire exhibit and everything and then were told they would'nt recive them)

Yet they sent pandas to Memphis and Atlanta, sure there great zoos, but ithink the zoo's mentioned above could have provided better homes

And the Toronto Zoo Deal is bound to fall through as well (there isn't a vfery strong deal in the first place)
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I would be a little careful in discussing this topic. It might well be construed you have a grudge against the Chinese. And all well and good when you never personally have any experience of the Chinese way of communication and operation.

It is all about communication really. The level of sensitivity f.i. ... something us Westerners never seen to fully grasp - Chinese awkwardness and saying Yes while meaning No or Not sure ...).

Anyhow, the giant panda millions have been able to make a difference in in situ conservation .., and I think that should count for something.

Lastly, another note of caution here ... most Western zoos want giant pandas to bring in the punters. From a conservation breeding perspective there really is no need for exhibition of giant pandas in Western zoos when in situ breeding can be more successful (just look at the figures).

The one thing one can argue here is that the Chinese method of AI and the reasons behind the failure to have a significant portion of the founding stock breed naturally needs to be resolved more effectively (allthough lately more headway has been made in having more and more captive giant pandas breed under fully natural regimes inside P.R. China too).

If you wish to discuss this topic I suggest you open one in the China Forum as it has no relevance to the Omaha forum.

K.B.
 
On topic:

ISIS lists 4.10 Red-backed saki (chiropotes chiropotes) at Henry Doorly.

Are these new, or did i just miss them on ISIS before? Are these the only ones in the States or is it a spoof entry?

If they are there, are they in the lied jungle?
 
From what I was told (by the MOST reliable source at Omaha), pandas are completely off the table of their plans. I think the main reason is financial -- they just don't see them as financially beneficial, considering that they are already drawing huge crowds without the pandas. Per capita, this is one of the most attended zoos in America -- perhaps THE most.
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
I would be a little careful in discussing this topic. It might well be construed you have a grudge against the Chinese. And all well and good when you never personally have any experience of the Chinese way of communication and operation.

It is all about communication really. The level of sensitivity f.i. ... something us Westerners never seen to fully grasp - Chinese awkwardness and saying Yes while meaning No or Not sure ...).

Anyhow, the giant panda millions have been able to make a difference in in situ conservation .., and I think that should count for something.

Lastly, another note of caution here ... most Western zoos want giant pandas to bring in the punters. From a conservation breeding perspective there really is no need for exhibition of giant pandas in Western zoos when in situ breeding can be more successful (just look at the figures).

The one thing one can argue here is that the Chinese method of AI and the reasons behind the failure to have a significant portion of the founding stock breed naturally needs to be resolved more effectively (allthough lately more headway has been made in having more and more captive giant pandas breed under fully natural regimes inside P.R. China too).

If you wish to discuss this topic I suggest you open one in the China Forum as it has no relevance to the Omaha forum.

K.B.
Click to expand...

I never said I had a "grudge" against China, I only said I did not like how they would promise these rare creatures, let the zoo's build million dollar enclosures for them, back out of the deal, and run off with the goods

That is far from a grudge, Its just somethign that frustrates me

Also, Why should I have to post it in the China section if were talkign about somethign happening beetween America AND China?
 
Zoogoer2000 said:
I never said I had a "grudge" against China, I only said I did not like how they would promise these rare creatures, let the zoo's build million dollar enclosures for them, back out of the deal, and run off with the goods

That is far from a grudge, Its just somethign that frustrates me

Also, Why should I have to post it in the China section if were talkign about somethign happening beetween America AND China?
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Honestly, I'm with ZooGoer on this one! Just ask the poor folks at the LAZoo about this. They built a gorgeous exhibit for the promised Golden Monkeys from China, only to have the Chinese change their minds. The bottom line is -- China is still run by a communist government. While they've come a long way in recent decades, communists are still marked by dishonesty and shifting morals. A promise made by a communist is not one you can take to the bank! Just look at North Korea -- they "promised" us no more nuclear weapons and then, oops, they changed their minds.
 
ANyhuis said:
communists are still marked by dishonesty and shifting morals. A promise made by a communist is not one you can take to the bank!
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Yes, unlike all the capitalist countries where the politicians are noted for their unswerving honesty and high moral values:rolleyes:
Can we keep political soap-boxes out of ZooChat, please!
 
Again, I never brought politics into it, I just said it frustrated me how they promised things and then once things were all in place, they backed out and ran off with the goodies
 
Back on topic - anyone found out more on those reputed 4.10 Red-backed Sakis (Chiropotes chiropotes)? The genus is so rare in captivity that this would be a fascinating addition to the zoo's primate collection.
 
reduakari said:
.....

particularly the ignorant ones!
Astonishing, but right in keeping with the earlier commentary about "creationism." Yikes
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Just curious, reduakari. Do you think ANYONE who disagrees with you is "ignorant"?

Honestly, I didn't think posting an anti-communist statement was either "political" or even offensive. To me, it's like saying "Hitler was evil" -- does THAT offend anyone? I view Naziism and communism as morally equivalent. Just visit the torture houses (now museums) in Budapest or Belin. You'll learn that once the Nazis were defeated, the communists just moved into the Nazi torture houses and resumed their previous function. But if I've offended any Nazis or communists here, I apologize.
 
ANyhuis said:
Just curious, reduakari. Do you think ANYONE who disagrees with you is "ignorant"?

Honestly, I didn't think posting an anti-communist statement was either "political" or even offensive. To me, it's like saying "Hitler was evil" -- does THAT offend anyone? I view Naziism and communism as morally equivalent. Just visit the torture houses (now museums) in Budapest or Belin. You'll learn that once the Nazis were defeated, the communists just moved into the Nazi torture houses and resumed their previous function. But if I've offended any Nazis or communists here, I apologize.
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No, I didn't say (or mean) that you are ignorant. But the statement I reacted to is, IMO, ignorant. If I wrote an identical sentence and inserted the word "capitalists" in the place of "communists," I would judge that to be an ignorant statement as well. The evil perpetrated by Stalin, Kim Jong Il, etc. is undeniable, maybe even "Hitler-esque." But many in this world could justifiably say the same thing about George Bush, Dick Cheney or Bernie Madoff, all card-carrying "capitalists."
 
reduakari said:
No, I didn't say (or mean) that you are ignorant. But the statement I reacted to is, IMO, ignorant. If I wrote an identical sentence and inserted the word "capitalists" in the place of "communists," I would judge that to be an ignorant statement as well. The evil perpetrated by Stalin, Kim Jong Il, etc. is undeniable, maybe even "Hitler-esque." But many in this world could justifiably say the same thing about George Bush, Dick Cheney or Bernie Madoff, all card-carrying "capitalists."
Click to expand...

To spare you all any further Capitalist vs Communist discussion, I've taken this offline (PM) with Reduakari.
 
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