Houston Zoo Houston Zoo news 2016-2017

Is the elephant yard that's being expanded for the female elephants and calves or for the bulls? I felt the large yard was at least adequate while the two bull yards were pathetic.
 
You got a link for the elephant expansion or did a keeper tell you? Also timeframe?

That bull expansion has been long rumored but just hasn't happened.

Bear grottos are always on the renovation list. The empty grotto between the other two has been out of use for about a decade. Things were going to go after the long time grizzly died, then the 2 rescue grizzlies were found in someone's backyard. I believe both are now passed so something may happen with bears again.

What was in them when you visited?
 
I notice on the map, the Kudu have been moved to one of the hoofstock yards and Speke's Gazelle have been moved in with the rhinos. Does anyone know when this happened?

The maps also fail to identify Eland and Warthog. Have they left the zoo?
 
Went over the weekend. Construction has started on the new bull elephant yard. It's a massive expansion. It appears it will combine with the middle yard and reach all the way to the hoofedstocks, jaguar, and patas monkey yards. Access is closed to cross from existing elephant yards to the cats or hooded run, visitors have to go all the way around primates.

Thai is currently with the females and Tucker and Baylor are in the middle yard together. Some photo renderings were published along the fence line showing the project, there will be a new barn that goes along the back fence. I'll try and get some photos into the photo gallery. The first hoof stock yard is full of duiker but can not be seen well by the public.

No sign of Elands or Warthogs. All crocodilians including Blanco are removed from the reptile house with only empty tanks remaining.
 
jayjds2 said:
Elephants Thai, Tucker, and Baylor are now using a custom-built 6500 square foot barn designed for bull elephants. A new boardwalk is under construction for viewing of the elephants, the main yard will be expanded and a new yard is under construction. Should open in late spring.
Elephant Habitat Doubling in 2017 - HOUSTON ZOO
Click to expand...

Glad to hear that! I'm always in favor of more space for elephants, ha ha.
 
snowleopard said:
An informative article on the success of Houston Zoo...and there is mention of a new entrance zone that will feature sea turtles:

The Houston Zoo Is the Second Most-Visited Zoo in the Nation, All Thanks to You | City & Region | Houstonia
Click to expand...
It would be a great thing to have a sea turtle exhibit at the entrance. A showcase for the zoo's work with sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation at the park.

Just the reference to Galapagos islands I just do not get as the giant tortoises' work Houston does there is non marine and terrestrial (note: they have several adult Galapagos giants of various species on loan to other AZA parks (on site they have hatchlings several years old ..). But perhaps they are considering upgrading the Galapagos giant tortoise habitat too (and relocate it there)?
 
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