Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens LA Zoo News 2012

LAIR looks to be quite impressive from the photos in the latest news article, and with almost 50 exhibits it could be one of the more interesting reptile houses in any American zoo. I would love for at least one ZooChatter to post a comprehensive review, including a full species list. After panning the Los Angeles Zoo in my 2008 review I'm excited to have read about the progress made since then. The Francois langur exhibit (which was actually complete and awaiting golden monkeys at the time of my '08 visit), Elephants of Asia, LAIR and Rainforest of the Americas (which is only one year away from opening!) means that the improvements to the zoo have come thick and fast. My personal request to have all 20+ C-shaped roundhouses demolished has gone unanswered, but as long as I overlook those 1960's abnormalities on my next visit then I think that I'll be much more positive about the Los Angeles Zoo.:)
 
Blackduiker

mstickmanp said:
Snowleopard, the zoo has changed a bit since your last visit, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it more in your next visit.

Also, here are some photos of the inhabitants of the LAIR:

Los Angeles Zoo Lair Attraction | News | Los Angeles Daily News

Tomorrow is the member's preview. Hopefully DavidBrown or Blackduiker could make it to the zoo.
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I'm taking off from work tomorrow to make the special GLAZA members sneak preview viewing; one day before it officially opens to the general public. Myself and DavidBrown have already exchanged cell phone numbers and plan to hook up. My camera will be quite busy.
 
Blackduiker said:
I'm taking off from work tomorrow to make the special GLAZA members sneak preview viewing; one day before it officially opens to the general public. Myself and DavidBrown have already exchanged cell phone numbers and plan to hook up. My camera will be quite busy.
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That's great, although I wish I was also going...Anyways, I can't wait to see the photos and read the reviews!
 
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Same, it looks like a great facility. San Diego will have something to be jealous of now. That is a gorgeous Chinese Salamander in those pictures too.
 
I wonder if the LA zoo will be getting anything in return for the komodo dragon hatchlings because I remember hearing that the zoo wanted to trade all the recent hatchlings.
 
Blackduiker

In an unexpected stopover at the zoo today after my doctor appointment nearby, I was able to do two more walkthroughs of LAIR. in addition, I made a few new discoveries. First of all, there are Prevost's Squirrels being introduced into the Larger Malay Chevrotain, and former Slow Loris exhibit in the Children's Zoo. The windows were taped over, leaving just a few small openings. I did not spot any though.

And at last, the horrid construction fence that surrounded the LAIR site for so long, is no more! And being that it also separated LAIR and the remaining aquatics section; with its removal, I can report that the former North American River Otter exhibit has now been designated an American Alligator habitat. Located directly across from the False Gharial pond, it can now be considered a part of LAIR's Crocodile Creek, which was originally planned to include both species. Due to this fence, during the March 7th members preview this was not made obvious, and therefore not mentioned in DavidBrown's excellent review of the new LAIR complex.
 
Thanks for the update Blackduiker! I've always wanted to see Prevost's Squirrels at the zoo! Also, did you see anything new going into the former Gray's Monitor exhibit as well as the Mexican Beaded Lizard exhibit in the Children's Zoo?
 
Blackduiker

mstickmanp said:
Thanks for the update Blackduiker! I've always wanted to see Prevost's Squirrels at the zoo! Also, did you see anything new going into the former Gray's Monitor exhibit as well as the Mexican Beaded Lizard exhibit in the Children's Zoo?
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This actually makes the third or fourth time we've had Prevost's or my preferred name, Tri-colored Squirrels. One of the most beautiful mammals in my opinion. The former Gray's Monitor enclosure is still empty, with an "exhibit temporarily closed" sign. And there were still a couple of Mexican Beaded Lizards on exhibit in the Children's Zoo. Along with the other invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles that have called the Desert Trails cave their home for many years. LAIR won't be the only place to view such critters in the zoo. :)
 
Blackduiker said:
This actually makes the third or fourth time we've had Prevost's or my preferred name, Tri-colored Squirrels. One of the most beautiful mammals in my opinion. The former Gray's Monitor enclosure is still empty, with an "exhibit temporarily closed" sign. And there were still a couple of Mexican Beaded Lizards on exhibit in the Children's Zoo. Along with the other invertebrates, amphibians, and reptiles that have called the Desert Trails cave their home for many years. LAIR won't be the only place to view such critters in the zoo. :)
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I forgot to put the word "again" at the end of the sentence, hahaha. I wonder what will go into the former Gray's Monitor exhibit, and I was hoping to see another species in the Mexican Beaded Lizard exhibit...maybe making it an African/Madagascar theme since there is already African Hedgehog and Dumeril's Ground Boa in the Desert Trail.
 
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