Houston Zoo Houston Zoo News 2023

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9 year old Asian Elephant Duncan, is being transferred to another AZA facility for breeding

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When I went to go visit to see the Galapagos Islands, I got to talk to a keeper who was near the elephant exhibit. They mentioned that Duncan was the main bull always picking a fight and butting heads with Thailand. So much so that they couldn't be on enclosure together. This is probably one of the main reasons he's being transferred instead of his older brother Baylor.
 
When I went to go visit to see the Galapagos Islands, I got to talk to a keeper who was near the elephant exhibit. They mentioned that Duncan was the main bull always picking a fight and butting heads with Thailand. So much so that they couldn't be on enclosure together. This is probably one of the main reasons he's being transferred instead of his older brother Baylor.
That is interesting, definitely makes sense why they would want to transfer him. A ornery bull also usually makes for a good breeding bull, so here's to hoping he is successful at breeding where ever he ends up, the SSP could use some more calfs
 
In the new facebook live, they mentioned that the new Chilean Flamingo habitat coming with the Birds of the World expansion will be a walkthrough aviary, I wonder if that means the flamingos will be flighted as currently they live in an open air enclosure and have pinned wings

On Wednesdays we wear pink! We’re celebrating #InternationalFlamingoDay with our Bird team! Bird Keeper Ben is sharing an update on our flock,... | By Houston Zoo | Facebook
That would explain why a guest path can be seen going into the flamingo enclosure on the concept art for the birds of the world garden. Though I could see it going either way, I would much prefer for this to be a free flight aviary. I don’t see a point to making the aviary completely covered if they’d still have their wings clipped, plus it would set it apart from the open air flamingo lagoon every other zoo has. Seriously a flamingo lagoon at the entrance is like the zoo starter pack set. IMG_9940.jpeg
 

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After watching the Houston Zoo's recent Facebook live about their Chilean Flamingos at around 10:45 it is confirmed that all three aviaries will be walkthrough aviaries with each one focusing on a different part of the world these being Africa, South America, and North America. We've already seen concept art of the African area, but I am curious if the Flamingo aviary will include more species, and especially what species will be in the North American aviary.
 
Weird how Houston specifically said he was moving into a breeding situation, but he ended up in a bachelor herd in Denver.


They never specified a breeding herd just that he’d be joining a facility in hopes of becoming a dad. Bodhi has since become a father since being at Denver so I’m sure it will be the same method with Duncan.
 

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If you're going to repost news someone else posted into another thread, at least reword it instead of copying the original post word for word ;)
 
Other 2023 News:

Two currently unnamed meerkat pups have emerged out of their den after being born a little over a month ago. You can see them in Houston Zoo's Instagram page.
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On April 12th, the zoo announced the meerkat's gender (2.0) and names, Bugsy and CJ.

A little over six weeks old, our meerkat pups are getting bigger every day. They weigh about half a pound now. Get an update from Natural Encounters... | By Houston Zoo | Facebook

On May 23rd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) eastern bongo named Hubert to the Abilene Zoo in Texas.

Abilene Zoo
 
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