Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
I thought all their bison were purebred.
Henry Vilas Zoo Henry Vilas Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter birdsandbats
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Only one of them is (was).
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Wilma came from the Smithsonian, so she might be purebred?
That would make Wilma the purebred, yes.
It was from June 3, 2022. Maybe the individuals shown here are the ones that drowned.
Yep! Wilma is the purebred. (Oops, sorry. I started typing this before I saw these messages.)
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Note to self: never go to the zoo during Boo at the Zoo. It's crowded, noisy, you can't go in any direction you want, and there's just so many kids....
Nevertheless, I have stuff to report!
Nevertheless, I have stuff to report!- I only saw one Green Anaconda in the herpetarium, probably the male because it looked kind of small for an anaconda.
- The Boa Constrictor exhibit was empty and dark, with a "pardon our dust" sign in it like with the empty Gila Monster exhibit.
- Aayla the aardvark was aat her most aactive! She was eating from a new enrichment feeder, scratching her belly, and she even did a somersault! Is it any wonder that she's my favorite animal at the whole zoo?
- Saw all 3 North American Porcupines together for the first time.
- The bison exhibit feels so empty with only Wilma in it. Hopefully the zoo gets her a companion, preferably a male.
https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=502854315219139&set=a.224972016340705
I don't remember if I mentioned it here or not, but the zoo apparently has walking sticks now. They might be part of the education department, though.
I don't remember if I mentioned it here or not, but the zoo apparently has walking sticks now. They might be part of the education department, though.
AnonGibbon
Active Member
They are unfortunately in the (former) discovery center. I really don’t understand why visitors can’t go in the discovery center when there’s nothing happening in there 90% of the time. There are newts, cockroaches, sticks, honeybees, a snake, and a few other bugs in there.
According to my "old reliable" source, Henry Vilas Zoo is looking into acquiring beavers! They are supposed to let the SSP know whenever they're ready to get them.
Any ideas as to where they could go?
Any ideas as to where they could go?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Behind the bison, perhaps? Either that or they do away with either the capybaras, the otters, or the North American porcupines (all huge losses, IMO).
Regardless, excellent news! I’ve been itching to have a new species at Henry Vilas ever since I came to Madison! And I think the last time I saw a beaver in-person was… gosh, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in 2019?!
If I’m not mistaken, the only other place exhibiting them in Wisconsin right now is Ochsner Park Zoo? They’re an interested species, so I’d love to see it happen. They’ll also supposedly be getting the new Gentoo Penguins and Wallabies. Plus, I’m assuming they plan on getting new bison and another new red panda.
They’ll also be sending out the African penguins and giraffe sometime soon, so maybe they’ll start working on that new expansion? (Or would the rhino and asses get in the wall?) They also want to send to agouti to a different facility, so I’d love to see them get some sort of small mammal back in there again.
Yes, Ochsner Park I believe is the only other holder.
Here’s another idea on where beavers could go: if the exhibit were modified with a pool, could mixing with the North American porcupines be a possibility? Has something like that ever been tried?
Here’s another idea on where beavers could go: if the exhibit were modified with a pool, could mixing with the North American porcupines be a possibility? Has something like that ever been tried?
Wildwood Wildlife Park is another Wisconsin collection currently keeping beavers.
I wonder if they'd be concerned about the porcupines potentially drowning in the pool? I also know that the individuals at Henry Vilas seem to prefer hanging out on the ground rather than climbing on their structures, so I wonder if that could cause issues? It would be interesting to see if they could do it, though.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Don't porcupines float, though?
Interestingly, the current North American Porcupine habitat was originally made for seals. You can still see where the rim of the pool was, as well as the drain for the water.
Do they float? I actually have no idea.
I remember back when they made the porcupine exhibit! I am glad they don't have seals in there anymore. Do you think they may somehow make the old badger exhibit into a beaver exhibit?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Their quills are hollow, so they can float.
The old badger exhibit looks a little skinny and unable to support a pool in my opinion. Maybe a new exhibit behind the bison could work?
I was wondering if they'd try to extend it towards the Pavilion, maybe? But making a fresh new exhibit back by the bison more would make sense.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
I got some stuff to report:
- I think it's safe to say that the female Green Anaconda & Boa Constrictor have died. Boa habitat is still dark, still only one (small) anaconda.
- On a more positive (but still herpetological note), I saw a Gila Monster! Not sure if this is a new Gila Monster or the same one as before, but what matters is that it was on display!
- Altain the camel's winter coat has grown in.
- Baby orangutan is still adorable.
- Shakura the lioness was acting strange today. She chased Pelo off his rock, and it looked like she was trying to sneak up him, too. A guest said she might be pregnant, but I don't know if that's likely. She could've just been playing. What do you guys think?
As of like a month ago, they were not scheduled to breed.
Do you think they will try to acquire new green anacondas or boa constrictors?