Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2021

[Westcoastperson]

While I agree the zoo really needs to focus on improving their current infrastructure before expansion (which is also their main priorities in the vision plan), I'm not sure I really agree with the land use argument. Griffith Park is just over 4,300 acres total. The zoo currently is 133 acres. Very tiny fraction of the park. If you look at the satellite view, the zoo is hardly half the size of its neighbor, the Wilson golf course. Also to my understanding from the master plan, they're not looking to expand into undeveloped areas of Griffith Park, they're actually working on areas adjacent to their current parking lot. I think most of their expansion comes from the expanding parking into that small parking lot on the south-east side, and a little bit there between their parking lot and the freeway off ramps/Zoo Drive.

So I just mapped out the California section on google maps because it says in the plans that’s going into undeveloped land and about 15 acres of that development is going into a relatively cut off part of Griffith park.

That red circle shows the inlet hill that takes up most of the space and the large canyon the friends are talking about. Notice how it’s cut off from most of Griffith park because of the already existing zoo and already at the very end of Griffith Parks limits. So as a habitat for many of Griffith parks larger animals well it really isn’t. Also if you look in a better image or go hiking there you’ll notice it’s used as a site fir storing materials. Now look it will have effects on native reptiles birds and bugs but if the zoo does a good job building the area it will get replaced by better kept native Californian plants. Griffith park should have limits of expansion and just because it’s a small amount of land doesn’t mean it’s ok however I think if LA zoo treats it correctly they can generally keep it as a good habitat for small Griffith Park animals.

 

[MidwestFan]

Visited LA Zoo for the first time Tuesday, Nov 2. A lot of empty moats/exhibits. I really wanted to see Billy, but he was not out. I did see all 3 girls. Overall, the visit was disappointing, so many animals not on display, and the infrastructure really needs improvements.

 

[Julio C Castro]

Visited LA Zoo for the first time Tuesday, Nov 2. A lot of empty moats/exhibits. I really wanted to see Billy, but he was not out. I did see all 3 girls. Overall, the visit was disappointing, so many animals not on display, and the infrastructure really needs improvements.

I’m so sorry that was your experience It definitely is in need of a major overhaul and currently finalizing their Vision Plan for the coming decades. Billy does get separated from the girls for training sessions and also give them all space despite the recent progress for integrating the whole herd. I hope this doesn’t deter you from giving it a chance once major changes roll out!

 

[John Marchwick]

Battle Brewing Over the Future Use of Undeveloped Land at the LA Zoo

The future of the Los Angeles Zoos expansion is looking a bit uncertain

 

[Great Argus]

Battle Brewing Over the Future Use of Undeveloped Land at the LA Zoo

The future of the Los Angeles Zoos expansion is looking a bit uncertain

I really don't get why people are so mad over the expansion. It's what, 23 acres and really not doing that big an impact on either the park or its nature.
Particularly given the following statement from the director, included in the article: "This plan does not expand the Zoo beyond its 133-acre footprint," she said. "There is no expansion into Griffith Park beyond the area we've been operating under since 1966."

If they're really not doing any true expansion what's the problem??? They're trying to improve the zoo; the way the opponents are acting you'd think they were bulldozing half of Griffith Park. It's 23 acres of a park that's over 4,500 acres per their own arguments. Works out to 0.0005% of the total acreage. Rather confused.

 

[Bengal Tiger]

What is billy?

 

[Great Argus]

What is billy?

Helpful? (Photo by @Zoological Point )

 

[Julio C Castro]

What is billy?

Billy is our bull Asian Elephant

 

[IndianRhino]

Billy is our bull Asian Elephant

And a very impressive one too! Billy is easily one of my favorite elephants, just look at those tusks!

 

[Bengal Tiger]

And a very impressive one too! Billy is easily one of my favorite elephants, just look at those tusks!

No kiddin’

 

[Julio C Castro]

View media item 554666 here’s a POV shot I did earlier this year of him, almost like he’s staring you down

 

[IndianRhino]

View media item 554666 here’s a POV shot I did earlier this year of him, almost like he’s staring you down

That’s a very nice photo of him, amazing job!

 

[Julio C Castro]

That’s a very nice photo of him, amazing job!

My mistake, I did upload it already in the LA zoo gallery before and just saw it now I’ll delete this one just posted but thank you so much!

edit: this is the right upload!

Billy the Asian Elephant

• Julio C Castro
• 5 Nov 2021
• 1

Head to head POV shot

 

[IndianRhino]

Accidentally went back to the first page of the thread and noticed that the hippo girls were supposed to leave the zoo earlier this year. Does anyone who has visited recently know if Rosie and Mara have left yet? If so, where did they each go?

 

[Julio C Castro]

Accidentally went back to the first page of the thread and noticed that the hippo girls were supposed to leave the zoo earlier this year. Does anyone who has visited recently know if Rosie and Mara have left yet? If so, where did they each go?

One of the females was there at the zoo still out on exhibit, I didn’t see the other one in the opposite habitat but potentially can be BTS. I’ll ask the zoo if they have any info who left if it had happened already

 

[MidwestFan]

Accidentally went back to the first page of the thread and noticed that the hippo girls were supposed to leave the zoo earlier this year. Does anyone who has visited recently know if Rosie and Mara have left yet? If so, where did they each go?

There were 2 hippos on exhibit on Tuesday this week, both were in the pool of their exhibit.

 

[John Marchwick]

I really don't get why people are so mad over the expansion. It's what, 23 acres and really not doing that big an impact on either the park or its nature.
Particularly given the following statement from the director, included in the article: "This plan does not expand the Zoo beyond its 133-acre footprint," she said. "There is no expansion into Griffith Park beyond the area we've been operating under since 1966."

If they're really not doing any true expansion what's the problem??? They're trying to improve the zoo; the way the opponents are acting you'd think they were bulldozing half of Griffith Park. It's 23 acres of a park that's over 4,500 acres per their own arguments. Works out to 0.0005% of the total acreage. Rather confused.

You do realize the area they’re trying to take over is used by one of the worlds most famous mountain lions dubbed P-22. That’s why this has become a huge controversy because based off of GPS data he frequently travels near the Los Angeles Zoo. Not to mention they need to improve what they have now. They’re so many horrendous exhibits such as the hippo, giraffe, the roundhouses, bear, etc that need all this improvement for starters. I know the zoo land was already part but try explaining that to the apex predator that’s living there now

 

[Great Argus]

You do realize the area they’re trying to take over is used by one of the worlds most famous mountain lions dubbed P-22. That’s why this has become a huge controversy because based off of GPS data he frequently travels near the Los Angeles Zoo. Not to mention they need to improve what they have now. They’re so many horrendous exhibits such as the hippo, giraffe, the roundhouses, bear, etc that need all this improvement for starters. I know the zoo land was already part but try explaining that to the apex predator that’s living there now

Well wouldn't you travel around an area with easy food targets? The zoo has lost an animal or two to him. Most likely he's primarily there out of interest for possible free food. It's not an untypical association for Mountain Lions, just ask SDZSP.
And again I will point out that the first parts of their vision plan are fixing many of those areas, and the expansion parts primarily coming later.

 

[John Marchwick]

Well wouldn't you travel around an area with easy food targets? The zoo has lost an animal or two to him. Most likely he's primarily there out of interest for possible free food. It's not an untypical association for Mountain Lions, just ask SDZSP.
And again I will point out that the first parts of their vision plan are fixing many of those areas, and the expansion parts primarily coming later.

Ok but the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is not in a mega city like Griffith Park is. P-22 is living in an incredibly urban environment on a fragmented landscape. I’ve been to both the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park also reserved 800 acres of land for native plants and animals not to mention all the additional space those animals have nearby. That’s not the case with P-22 or really with any apex predator living in Los Angeles in general. And are you actually implying it’s P-22s fault for breaking into the Los Angeles Zoo? Did you ever stop to consider that the Los Angeles Zoo for the most part has horrendous and outdated exhibits. The wildlife in Los Angeles is in a lot more trouble than the animals the LA zoo cares for.

 

[Great Argus]

Ok but the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is not in a mega city like Griffith Park is. P-22 is living in an incredibly urban environment on a fragmented landscape. I’ve been to both the Los Angeles Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park also reserved 800 acres of land for native plants and animals not to mention all the additional space those animals have nearby.

Yeah, and Griffith Park is bigger than that 800 acres, even if you remove the zoo, both museums, and Wilson Golf course. It's largely an island, but a pretty big one. Mountain lions aren't adverse to urban areas with enough greenway, we just never see them. They pop up in various outer neighborhoods in my town on a regular basis.

And are you actually implying it’s P-22s fault for breaking into the Los Angeles Zoo?

Not hardly. He's just an apex predator going for what would be easy targets, like any predator does.

Did you ever stop to consider that the Los Angeles Zoo for the most part has horrendous and outdated exhibits.

I am aware, yes. The majority of their vision plan is to update and fix the exhibits in need. And to do that first I might add.

The wildlife in Los Angeles is in a lot more trouble than the animals the LA zoo cares for.

Yes, for bigger animals this is indeed true. But they're not against moving through urban areas if need be. Mountain lions have predated animals at the San Francisco Zoo before. The 4,500 acres of Griffith Park is definitely a good refuge for wildlife, and should be protected. But in such a way that both the humans, wildlife, and the LA Zoo animals all win.