Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2024

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Thanks so much for the information everyone! You gave me more advice then I thought I'd get, @Lori Patton , I'll most likely be using your comment as a near identical zoo itinerary! So many nice and rare species, I'll definitely try to miss anything! I was a big fan of the zoo the last time I went, I unfortunately did not have time to visit the older South American section or the snow leopards, but I'll definitely be sure to make up for it this time!

And thanks for the bird show recommendation, @Elena , will try to make it for sure. I'm not sure I will be staying late enough to see the Paca unfortunately, but if I can then I'll definitely go check it out.
 
Want to echo that the revamped bird show post-pandemic is short but very cool, and obviously having the condor involved is a show-stopper.

@Elena that explains why I've still never seen that paca!

@Gretchen L Did the zoo lose a wild dog?
 
Lori Patton said:
According to the zoo's animal transaction report, a female African wild dog passed away in November of last year.
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It must've been Ayana as per @Gretchen L, Zahra is still around and was the other female in the pack. "Boss" was originally named Maji. They actually have an interesting history: a golden retriever helped to raise them alongside her own puppy after they were rejected by their mother:

Update: Adorable wild puppies have been named by OKC Zoo | KFOR.com Oklahoma City
 
Elena said:
It must've been Ayana as per @Gretchen L, Zahra is still around and was the other female in the pack. "Boss" was originally named Maji. They actually have an interesting history: a golden retriever helped to raise them alongside her own puppy after they were rejected by their mother:

Update: Adorable wild puppies have been named by OKC Zoo | KFOR.com Oklahoma City
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@Elena that is so interesting about the history of the zoo's African painted dogs. I read the article and watched the video -- the pups look so different in their coloring than as adults. I'm so impressed by your knowledge of so many of the animals' names and backgrounds. I really like the zoo's habitat for the wild dogs and hope it will continue to keep this species even after the current dogs pass on.
 
Today I had a fantastic visit to the L.A. Zoo and have several items of note:

  • The new male peninsular pronghorn is on exhibit (his arrival was recently announced in the zoo's blog). He is being kept alone in the large yard closest to the desert bighorn sheep while the females are in the yard adjacent to the zebras.
  • One of the two large, floor-to-ceiling exhibit glass windows for the South American bushmaster (in the LAIR across from the aquarium) has been shattered. Although still intact, it will need to be replaced immediately and is currently cordoned off with a cone and barrier. The snake is still visible in the exhibit through the other window. The damage is so severe that it could have only occurred from a major impact or extreme temperature change (the latter is highly unlikely, however).
  • The former Boelen's python exhibit is still closed and the temple pit viper is temporarily off-exhibit.
  • In the roundhouse across from the babirusa in the Animals of the Drylands loop, the right side is totally without birds except for the Australian wood duck. In my last visit three weeks ago, there were also two masked lapwings and a greater roadrunner. Although the masked bobwhite quails are still signed, I haven't seen any in quite some time. The other half of the roundhouse still has all the birds except for the sunbittern, which I saw earlier this month and was missing today.
Also, I had the great thrill of finally seeing the Ruppell's sand fox for the first time! I didn't know if the zoo still had the fox because it's unsigned and not on the website. After circling back to the roundhouse several times (the third was the charm!), I spied it in the back in a shadowy corner. I looked through binoculars and saw its big eyes staring at me! It eventually starting stirring and I thought it would start walking around so I could get a better look, but then the male zebra began braying so loudly that the frightened fox went back into hiding.
 
In celebration of World Otter Day (who knew?!) a bit of news: The LA Zoo's eight-year-old female giant otter, Rosario, moved from the Zoo to Argentina to join a breeding program designed to reintroduce this species in a region where it has gone extinct. This partnership and reintroduction program led by Rewilding Argentina, the Government of Corrientes, and Argentina's National Parks Administration, marks the first time a giant otter from an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo is being sent to directly contribute to their conservation efforts.

Through a partnership with Rewilding Argentina, the L.A. Zoo is supporting efforts to reestablish otter populations in the Iberá Wetlands. Rosario and her male partner, a giant otter from a European zoo, are the third breeding pair in this program. Their offspring will be candidates for release into the wild in Iberá National Park.

Pretty exciting stuff! The May Animal Transactions notice mentioned that the LA Zoo has received 2 new otters (one male, one female), so I'm guessing they will be going on exhibit in the Rainforest section. I haven't heard the status of Mia (Rosario's mother), I will check when I go in on Saturday.
 
Elena said:
Very sad news noted in the latest Animal Transactions: Female okapi Baraka (a.k.a. "Opey") passed away in May. This leaves LA with only 1 okapi, male Jackson.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Zoo-Commission-MINUTES-5.21.24.pdf
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Zoo-Commission-Animal-Report-6.18.24.pdf
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That is certainly very sad news. It also states that a male Masai giraffe (James or Shaq) moved to the Roger Williams Park Zoo in Rhode Island.
 
Elena said:
Very sad news noted in the latest Animal Transactions: Female okapi Baraka (a.k.a. "Opey") passed away in May. This leaves LA with only 1 okapi, male Jackson.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Zoo-Commission-MINUTES-5.21.24.pdf
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Zoo-Commission-Animal-Report-6.18.24.pdf
Click to expand...
The animal transaction report also states that the king vulture was sold to a private individual due to its advancing age. This seems strange to me because one of the zoo's responsibilities should be to care for its aging animals instead of getting rid of them when they require more care. Also, the zoo frequently states that private individuals should not keep exotic animals since they can't adequately care for them so placing the king vulture with a person unaffiliated with a zoo or sanctuary seems contrary to its own messaging. From what I have gathered from a quick internet search, the person chosen to care for the vulture is a graphic artist and not an animal care specialist. I believe there should be some sort of organization overseeing how the zoo places its animals if not with another zoo or sanctuary.
 
Lori Patton said:
The animal transaction report also states that the king vulture was sold to a private individual due to its advancing age. This seems strange to me because one of the zoo's responsibilities should be to care for its aging animals instead of getting rid of them when they require more care. Also, the zoo frequently states that private individuals should not keep exotic animals since they can't adequately care for them so placing the king vulture with a person unaffiliated with a zoo or sanctuary seems contrary to its own messaging. From what I have gathered from a quick internet search, the person chosen to care for the vulture is a graphic artist and not an animal care specialist. I believe there should be some sort of organization overseeing how the zoo places its animals if not with another zoo or sanctuary.
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Did you miss the bit where it says "this individual is on the Zoo's approved site list"? They haven't just picked some person out of a hat to "get rid of" the vulture. I think what the zoo knows of the individual's capabilities is more important than what you "have gathered from a quick internet search".
 
Today I celebrated the summer solstice by visiting the L.A. Zoo and here is the latest news:
  • The sarus crane is incubating one egg -- a new chick will be so exciting!
  • Isim the Bornean orangutan marked his 30th birthday two days ago per a docent report.
  • There is noticeable progress on the new Swan Lake exhibit, but it looks far from completion.
  • The carousel and black howler monkey exhibit in the Rainforest of the Americas are closed as stated on a sign at the entrance gate.
  • The white-faced saki exhibit in the South America roundhouse is closed.
  • Many of the fish species in the Rainforest of the Americas aquarium are no longer there. Currently, there are only the red-bellied piranhas, striped leporinus, and polka-dot stingray.
  • The signage on the Australasia bird garden has been removed. As previously reported on this thread, the North American bird garden signage was also taken down. I have also noticed for quite some time that the California bird garden signage was removed although the general information about helping native birds remains. It was only a few years ago that the zoo planted all these bird gardens and posted videos and information about them on its website.
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
 
Lori Patton said:
Today I celebrated the summer solstice by visiting the L.A. Zoo and here is the latest news:
  • The sarus crane is incubating one egg -- a new chick will be so exciting!
  • Isim the Bornean orangutan marked his 30th birthday two days ago per a docent report.
  • There is noticeable progress on the new Swan Lake exhibit, but it looks far from completion.
  • The carousel and black howler monkey exhibit in the Rainforest of the Americas are closed as stated on a sign at the entrance gate.
  • The white-faced saki exhibit in the South America roundhouse is closed.
  • Many of the fish species in the Rainforest of the Americas aquarium are no longer there. Currently, there are only the red-bellied piranhas, striped leporinus, and polka-dot stingray.
  • The signage on the Australasia bird garden has been removed. As previously reported on this thread, the North American bird garden signage was also taken down. I have also noticed for quite some time that the California bird garden signage was removed although the general information about helping native birds remains. It was only a few years ago that the zoo planted all these bird gardens and posted videos and information about them on its website.
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
Click to expand...
This viewing policy is not unusual among AZA institutions, and is something most are moving towards due to the positive welfare associated with giving animals choices on where they can be and when. It does not mean the zoo should re-categorize itself as a "sanctuary" just because it is allowing their animals choice. It's an unfortunate outcome that guests may not see all the animals all the time.
 
Lori Patton said:
Today I celebrated the summer solstice by visiting the L.A. Zoo and here is the latest news:
  • The sarus crane is incubating one egg -- a new chick will be so exciting!
  • Isim the Bornean orangutan marked his 30th birthday two days ago per a docent report.
  • There is noticeable progress on the new Swan Lake exhibit, but it looks far from completion.
  • The carousel and black howler monkey exhibit in the Rainforest of the Americas are closed as stated on a sign at the entrance gate.
  • The white-faced saki exhibit in the South America roundhouse is closed.
  • Many of the fish species in the Rainforest of the Americas aquarium are no longer there. Currently, there are only the red-bellied piranhas, striped leporinus, and polka-dot stingray.
  • The signage on the Australasia bird garden has been removed. As previously reported on this thread, the North American bird garden signage was also taken down. I have also noticed for quite some time that the California bird garden signage was removed although the general information about helping native birds remains. It was only a few years ago that the zoo planted all these bird gardens and posted videos and information about them on its website.
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
Click to expand...

You must be very unlucky with the rhino. When I was there in March, he was out in his paddock every time I walked past.
 
Lori Patton said:
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
Click to expand...

Marshall the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros should be readily visible in one of his 3 exhibit spaces. With the warmer weather he seems to enjoy spending more time in his pool under the shade in the exhibit nearest to the markhor exhibit. If you can't see if he's in the pool from the viewing area by that exhibit (it can be tough if he's right up against the wall at the front), there's another angle to see the pool from the far end of the middle exhibit by looking through the open gate that he uses to go between exhibit spaces.

I'm not sure what time or times of the day you've tried to see CJ the Sumatran tiger, but he has been visible during my recent visits. In case you don't know, he does have special health concerns and dietary needs as discussed in an article in the Fall 2020 issue of Zoo View on page 12:

Zoo View - Fall 2020
 
Lori Patton said:
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
Click to expand...

You are not entitled to see the animals at your beck and call. You are a guest in their home, and they are well within their right to access whatever part of their habitat they wish whenever they like.
 
Lori Patton said:
Today I celebrated the summer solstice by visiting the L.A. Zoo and here is the latest news:
  • The sarus crane is incubating one egg -- a new chick will be so exciting!
  • Isim the Bornean orangutan marked his 30th birthday two days ago per a docent report.
  • There is noticeable progress on the new Swan Lake exhibit, but it looks far from completion.
  • The carousel and black howler monkey exhibit in the Rainforest of the Americas are closed as stated on a sign at the entrance gate.
  • The white-faced saki exhibit in the South America roundhouse is closed.
  • Many of the fish species in the Rainforest of the Americas aquarium are no longer there. Currently, there are only the red-bellied piranhas, striped leporinus, and polka-dot stingray.
  • The signage on the Australasia bird garden has been removed. As previously reported on this thread, the North American bird garden signage was also taken down. I have also noticed for quite some time that the California bird garden signage was removed although the general information about helping native birds remains. It was only a few years ago that the zoo planted all these bird gardens and posted videos and information about them on its website.
As a general comment I would like to add that I still haven't been able to see the greater one-horned rhinoceros since it arrived last year due to the zoo's policy of allowing animals access to their behind-the-scenes quarters during zoo hours. I have also not seen the tiger in three years. I heard another zoo guest say that she had waited at the tiger exhibit for an hour today for a chance at seeing it (I'm not sure if she was successful). I have spent approximately 43 hours at the zoo over the past year of my membership and it simply should not be so hard to see a rhino and a tiger. The zoo really needs to re-evaluate its animal viewing policy or else reposition itself as a sanctuary instead of a zoo.
Click to expand...

What about the Vulture Habitat any news of nearing completion?

Note: I’ll be at the Giraffe Habitat for Volunteer work this Saturday.
 
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