Henry Vilas Zoo Henry Vilas Zoo News 2022

[Milwaukee Man]

Considering that the Zoo recently went through a major fundraising campaign to bring in the wild asses, this is surprising that the Zoo would already plan to phase out the species. At least Przewalski’s wild horses, a species not seen in Wisconsin zoos like the Somali wild ass, may be coming in.

 

[TinoPup]

I'd be fine with zebras if it meant Grevy's, Hartmann's seems to be the norm nowadays.

What? There's 17 zoos with Hartmann's, around 50 with Grevy's. And around 250 with plains complex.

 

[15399]

I'd be fine with zebras if it meant Grevy's, Hartmann's seems to be the norm nowadays.

Hopefully it will be Grevy's, especially since the exhibit is single species. Had the zoo wanted Hartmann's Mountain Zebra, they'd be better off combining the exhibit labeled "zebra" with the adjacent exhibit labeled "giraffe". AZA Ungulates TAG recommends that zoos with a single-species Zebra habitat choose Grevy's, but zoos with multi-species habitats choose Hartmann's Mountain. Regardless, either of those species would be better choices than Plains Zebra.

 

[StoppableSan]

What? There's 17 zoos with Hartmann's, around 50 with Grevy's. And around 250 with plains complex.

I mean in the sense that Hartmann's is becoming the norm as far as "new" zebra exhibits/acquisitions are concerned. That said, I agree with Neil that if the zoo wanted to do a mixed species habitat with zebras and giraffes, Hartmann's would be the more likely option.

 

[nczoofan]

The plans look interesting. I like the idea of the wild horse and camel being able to rotate into the main yards. My main issue though is that their main yards are pretty tiny, and during warm months they'll be stuck in there.

 

[ThylacineAlive]

I mean in the sense that Hartmann's is becoming the norm as far as "new" zebra exhibits/acquisitions are concerned. That said, I agree with Neil that if the zoo wanted to do a mixed species habitat with zebras and giraffes, Hartmann's would be the more likely option.

Yes but that is because the Hartmann's program is pretty desperate for new holders. If more collections don't take on the species, the program is likely to fail due to breeding institutions being unable to breed more animals and push maturing stock.

~Thylo

 

[pachyderm pro]

AZA Ungulates TAG recommends that zoos with a single-species Zebra habitat choose Grevy's, but zoos with multi-species habitats choose Hartmann's Mountain. Regardless, either of those species would be better choices than Plains Zebra.

May I ask why this is exactly? Are Hartmann's less aggressive than Grevy's or plains zebras?

The plans look interesting. I like the idea of the wild horse and camel being able to rotate into the main yards. My main issue though is that their main yards are pretty tiny, and during warm months they'll be stuck in there.

I did not notice the shifts at first. That's a nice idea, but I agree their summer yards look way too small. I did some measurements and at 7,000 and 5,000 square feet respectively they both would only come out to be about half the size of bison yard. For the camels in particular, that is a significant downgrade from their existing accommodation.

 

[15399]

May I ask why this is exactly? Are Hartmann's less aggressive than Grevy's or plains zebras?

Grevy's are more aggressive than either the Hartmann's or Plains Zebra. The AZA wants zoos to choose a species other than the Plains Zebra, as both other species are of greater conservation concern and have much smaller captive populations. Grevy's Zebras don't mix well due to aggression, so are recommended for single-species exhibits, while the Hartmann's Mountain is ideal for mixed-species set-ups.

 

[nczoofan]

May I ask why this is exactly? Are Hartmann's less aggressive than Grevy's or plains zebras?

I did not notice the shifts at first. That's a nice idea, but I agree their summer yards look way too small. I did some measurements and at 7,000 and 5,000 square feet respectively they both would only come out to be about half the size of bison yard. For the camels in particular, that is a significant downgrade from their existing accommodation.

Yes definitely. I wanted to compare the yard to the one at National Zoo, for wild horse and that is more than double the size of the proposed yard and yet only really ever held a non-breeding pair. The camel yard will be less than half the size of Lincoln Parks. And while size is not everything for these hoofstock species it is definitely of importance.

 

[Valentinoamor]

I'd be fine with zebras if it meant Grevy's, Hartmann's seems to be the norm nowadays.

Personally, I would pick Grevy’s. From what it sounds like, Henry Vilas isn’t interested in mixing species, as it is “too dangerous.”

In 2020, the Somali Wild Ass at Henry Vilas Zoo has breeding recommendations back in San Diego, so I wonder if they will be sent back there during construction?

I wouldn’t mind if Henry Vilas kept the Somali Wild Ass either. They’re always active and are fun to watch during my visits.

Henry Vilas Zoo has always seems to be a holding facility rather than a breeding facility, so I wonder if they would continue to just be holders for all these species after the renovation?

 

[birdsandbats]

The wild asses are some of my favorite animals at Henry Vilas and it really would be a shame for them to go. If they do go into zebras I would they would be Hartmann's as their program needs new holders.

Then again, Somali Wild Asses are also very rare and need holders, so Henry Vilas really should stay with them.

 

[Valentinoamor]

Ansel the African Lion has been transferred to Virginia Zoo.

Virginia Zoo welcomes new male lion, Ansel | 13newsnow.com

He has been transferred to Virginia Zoo after being given breeding recommendations with their two females.

Does anyone think that Henry Vilas will attempt to breed their pair again? They had a difficult time transferring Ansel and Amboseli to different facilities. Plus, with Ansel - likely Amboseli as well -going on to breed, is there a point in breeding this pair again?

 

[MKE Zoo guy]

Ansel the African Lion has been transferred to Virginia Zoo.

Virginia Zoo welcomes new male lion, Ansel | 13newsnow.com

He has been transferred to Virginia Zoo after being given breeding recommendations with their two females.

Does anyone think that Henry Vilas will attempt to breed their pair again? They had a difficult time transferring Ansel and Amboseli to different facilities. Plus, with Ansel - likely Amboseli as well -going on to breed, is there a point in breeding this pair again?

Why did they have a hard time transferring Ansel?

 

[AnonGibbon]

Ansel the African Lion has been transferred to Virginia Zoo.

Virginia Zoo welcomes new male lion, Ansel | 13newsnow.com

He has been transferred to Virginia Zoo after being given breeding recommendations with their two females.

Does anyone think that Henry Vilas will attempt to breed their pair again? They had a difficult time transferring Ansel and Amboseli to different facilities. Plus, with Ansel - likely Amboseli as well -going on to breed, is there a point in breeding this pair again?

Probably not this specific pair? That said, the zoo does intend to remain a breeding institution. In the RFB for the indoor cat exhibits, it says "Indoor exhibit spaces are to be created for a small pride of lions (pair and resulting offspring) that allow the public to view the animals. Holding areas need to allow for flexibility of holding area layout, accommodating up to four big cats."

Will miss Ansel!

Why did they have a hard time transferring Ansel?

There is/was a glut of lions the same age as Ansel and Amboseli. Made even harder because they're both male.

 

[Valentinoamor]

There is/was a glut of lions the same age as Ansel and Amboseli. Made even harder because they're both male.

Yep! That is the way I understood it as well.

(Also, I love the profile picture! Moe and Richie are my two favorite animals there!)

 

[nczoofan]

Heres an investigative report on the zoo. It details a culture of bad management from top management, resulting in the loss of the only black zookeepers at the zoo.

It also touches on a variety of incidents of animal deaths recently. These include 6 penguins of multiple causes, a capybara, 2 aracaris (drowned in a fish tank), and hornbill eaten by meerkat.

Racism, dead penguins and retaliation: Why the Vilas Zoo lost its only Black zookeepers

 

[AnonGibbon]

Heres an investigative report on the zoo. It details a culture of bad management from top management, resulting in the loss of the only black zookeepers at the zoo.

It also touches on a variety of incidents of animal deaths recently. These include 6 penguins of multiple causes, a capybara, 2 aracaris (drowned in a fish tank), and hornbill eaten by meerkat.

Racism, dead penguins and retaliation: Why the Vilas Zoo lost its only Black zookeepers

This is horrible. I've heard of management problems at the zoo for a while now, but I didn't realize it was this bad. The zoo administration does not listen to keepers and doesn't like being challenged and that keeps creating these issues.

County Exec Parisi did nothing after Ronda's previous incident so I don't expect anything good from him this time either, but I will be contacting his office to encourage changes in zoo leadership, and I hope other people will do the same. At a minimum, the subjects of this story should be fired, along with the director Ronda Schwetz.

Grateful to the keepers who came forward.

 

[Valentinoamor]

This is horrible. I've heard of management problems at the zoo for a while now, but I didn't realize it was this bad. The zoo administration does not listen to keepers and doesn't like being challenged and that keeps creating these issues.

County Exec Parisi did nothing after Ronda's previous incident so I don't expect anything good from him this time either, but I will be contacting his office to encourage changes in zoo leadership, and I hope other people will do the same. At a minimum, the subjects of this story should be fired, along with the director Ronda Schwetz.

Grateful to the keepers who came forward.

Horrible article. I had no idea things like this were going on. Guess I won't be trying to get a job at Henry Vilas any time soon!

The story about Shrek the capybara breaking his legs, and the story of Lucielle not being taken to the vet (when it is literally right next to them) is heartbreaking.

 

[Valentinoamor]

Did anything else come from the Henry Vilas Zoo drama yet? I can’t seem to find anything online.

 

[AnonGibbon]

Did anything else come from the Henry Vilas Zoo drama yet? I can’t seem to find anything online.

Nothing. I contacted County Exec Parisi and CCed some county supervisors. I got a nice response from one county supervisor but heard nothing from Parisi, even after following up with another email. I encourage all of you to contact Parisi. He can't just keep ignoring the problems at the zoo and not be bothered to respond to constituent concerns. I suppose Parisi feels a little too comfortable because he was recently reelected.

Also, I encourage all of you to contact county supervisor Chuck Erickson because he serves on the zoo committee. Don't place any blame with him because his oversight roles are limited (unlike Parisi's), but hopefully he can get something done about the situation. Fortunately the Wisconsin State Journal has taken a strong position on this which should help bring some more awareness. Zoo needs independent investigation

On a happier note, Moe, the white-handed gibbon, has her 39th birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday Moe! imgur.com