Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2023

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They've started some public rehearsals and training demonstrations for the World of Birds show that's been closed to visitors since the COVID-19 closure in March 2020. One of the trainers/keepers today said they'll have them at noon each day, but they don't seem to open the doors to the theater until shortly before they plan to start. From what I've seen, they have a nice assortment of birds that might be visible, depending upon which ones they feature on any given day, including blue-throated macaws, hyacinth macaws, Andean condors, California condor, bald eagle, African fish eagle, Eurasian eagle owl, peregrine falcon, Harris's hawks, grey-crowned cranes, king vulture and an Abyssinian ground hornbill.
 
African Grey said:
June animal transactions: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-June-2023.pdf

May meeting minutes: https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Zoo-Commission-MINUTES-5.16.2023.pdf

I'm glad that Indian rhinos are returning to the zoo. Its very likely that they will be exhibited in the former hippo exhibit that is under renovation.
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Coquerel's Sifaka birth is good to see, hopefully the youngster survives.
Unfortunate to note the White-tailed Jay under deaths, was the only one in the US afaik. A Red and Yellow Barbet death is sad to see as well.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
Unfortunately, this also sadly means no more hippos in LA at least for now. :(
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LA indicated on a sign at the old hippo exhibit that the 1966 design of the pool required replacing the water daily, which wasn't sustainable. They also noted on the same sign that the Vision Plan will create new hippo and rhino habitats that recycle water and incorporate other sustainable practices. In the interim, they seem to be making some sort of short-term modifications for the Greater One-Horned Rhino from Omaha that will make the zoo his new home so at least it should hopefully be an improvement from what the hippos had.
 
Elena said:
LA indicated on a sign at the old hippo exhibit that the 1966 design of the pool required replacing the water daily, which wasn't sustainable. They also noted on the same sign that the Vision Plan will create new hippo and rhino habitats that recycle water and incorporate other sustainable practices. In the interim, they seem to be making some sort of short-term modifications for the Greater One-Horned Rhino from Omaha that will make the zoo his new home so at least it should hopefully be an improvement from what the hippos had.
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The hippo exhibit that was just vacated was originally the Indian rhino exhibit, so it is going back to its original purpose.

The original hippo exhibit was knocked down in the early 2000s to make way for the new elephant exhibit. The original plan was to build a new hippo exhibit at the same time as the new elephant exhibit, but that was eliminated when the elephant exhibit expanded in space and cost.

The renovated rhino space was a stopgap measure for hippos. Apparently the zoo decided that it was not an adequate hippo space for the amount of time it will take to build the new hippo exhibit that has been planned since the 1990s. It is not clear when the new hippo exhibit will be built. At the rate the new master plan is happening, it may not be until the 2030s.
 
DavidBrown said:
The hippo exhibit that was just vacated was originally the Indian rhino exhibit, so it is going back to its original purpose.

The original hippo exhibit was knocked down in the early 2000s to make way for the new elephant exhibit. The original plan was to build a new hippo exhibit at the same time as the new elephant exhibit, but that was eliminated when the elephant exhibit expanded in space and cost.

The renovated rhino space was a stopgap measure for hippos. Apparently the zoo decided that it was not an adequate hippo space for the amount of time it will take to build the new hippo exhibit that has been planned since the 1990s. It is not clear when the new hippo exhibit will be built. At the rate the new master plan is happening, it may not be until the 2030s.
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Now I realize that replacing LA's hippos with Indian Rhinoceros was a good idea. The nearby San Diego Zoo still has hippos, but currently has no Rhinoceroses. I pray That one day Nile Hippos return to LA.
 
Nile Hippo Expert said:
Here's what the construction on the new Indian Rhinoceros habitat looks like as of last Thursday:
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Does any one think we we will get any bears at the la zoo again ? I know it’s in the master plan for grizzlies.But what about the exotic bears like the Andean or sloth .
They all are apart of the SSP
Program .
 
GFgomez said:
Does any one think we we will get any bears at the la zoo again ? I know it’s in the master plan for grizzlies.But what about the exotic bears like the Andean or sloth .
They all are apart of the SSP
Program .
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No, probably no Andean or Sloth Bears in LA for now. The same goes for Sun Bears . I would think if any Bears return, they would go back to Black Bears, and Grizzly Bears may also come in a few years. I am 100% certain there won't be any more Polar Bears, due to the lack of availability.
 
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Great Argus said:
Climate is less the issue as is no availability of bears, particularly for San Diego. I don't believe there's been any confirmation of SDZ phasing them out once their trio passes but it is probable.
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I don’t think that’s the case as the polar bears are part of the SSP and Tag .
 
JVM said:
The populations for both may need to grow a little. I know of at least one zoo with existing andean bear space that has been waiting to have a space filled.
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LA use to have many of these species
Andean , sloth , polar bear .

I was there today and was able to see partial of the back area of the polar bear exhibit behind the LAIR
 
JVM said:
The populations for both may need to grow a little. I know of at least one zoo with existing andean bear space that has been waiting to have a space filled.
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There are currently 4 Andean cubs that I know of in AZA and 4 sloth cubs as well . Let’s see where they land
 
Great Argus said:
A species can have an SSP and be doing poorly - due to the ludicrous ban on breeding wild-born Polar Bears set down by the government, the Polar population is dropping all too steadily.
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That is a great point . Hopefully the polar bears that are in captivity have good breeding recommendations . Unless an orphaned cub shows up .
 
Great Argus said:
A species can have an SSP and be doing poorly - due to the ludicrous ban on breeding wild-born Polar Bears set down by the government, the Polar population is dropping all too steadily.
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That is what happened with the sun bears . SDZ was the only successful zoo in AZA to have cubs . They are now a phase out species .
 
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