Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens Los Angeles Zoo News 2024

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Thomas said:
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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Hi @Thomas -- when I visited the zoo yesterday, the pathway between the orangutans and bongos was still blocked off with the signage about the upcoming Cape Vulture exhibit, which was supposed to open early this year. I haven't asked about it since last month when I was told it was opening soon. It's a bummer that the project is behind schedule because I was hoping to see it before my membership expires at the end of the month. I'll be taking a break from the L.A. Zoo for a while as I don't like to visit during the hot summer. Tomorrow Griffith Park is under a heat advisory so be sure to take precautions for your volunteer work in the giraffe habitat as there is not much shade. Thanks for all your hard work at the zoo!
 
The red-fronted macaw that had been on exhibit at the entrance to the South America section near the Andean condor has moved behind-the-scenes to the Avian Conservation Center and a scarlet macaw is now on exhibit instead. (New location of the red-fronted macaw is per a random keeper I saw and asked.)
 
Elena said:
The red-fronted macaw that had been on exhibit at the entrance to the South America section near the Andean condor has moved behind-the-scenes to the Avian Conservation Center and a scarlet macaw is now on exhibit instead. (New location of the red-fronted macaw is per a random keeper I saw and asked.)
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@Elena it's funny you should post about the scarlet macaw because I was just thinking earlier today that I missed seeing it in the South America section ever since the condor exhibit was expanded to include the macaw's enclosure. I've seen a scarlet macaw twice since then in the first aviary enclosure of the Avian Conservation Center as viewed from the walkway towards the tram stop. When I was at the zoo a few days ago, I didn't see the red-fronted macaw, but the signage was still there.

I also wanted to mention that the other day I didn't see the rhino, there was some sort of constuction going on behind its night quarters. I heard hammering noises and saw a couple maintenance vehicles along the access road behind the exhibit. It's possible that was why the rhino wasn't in its habitat although the gates to the three pens were all open.
 
Lori Patton said:
@Elena it's funny you should post about the scarlet macaw because I was just thinking earlier today that I missed seeing it in the South America section ever since the condor exhibit was expanded to include the macaw's enclosure. I've seen a scarlet macaw twice since then in the first aviary enclosure of the Avian Conservation Center as viewed from the walkway towards the tram stop. When I was at the zoo a few days ago, I didn't see the red-fronted macaw, but the signage was still there.
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Per the keeper, I spoke with, it's the same scarlet macaw that was previously on exhibit and was moved back to the South America section from the Avian Conservation Center. The scarlet macaw sign was posted when I visited.
 
Mr. Kiwi said:
I saw the Paca and the Ruppel's Fox! :)
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Good for you! It took me a long time to finally see the Ruppell's sand fox. I've seen the paca at least a couple times in the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit. A few years ago there was one in the nursery and that was a lot easier to see. I've also seen the tufted deer once but never the Calamian. Was this your first time at the L.A. Zoo? If you are local, I recommend getting a membership.
 
Lori Patton said:
Good for you! It took me a long time to finally see the Ruppell's sand fox. I've seen the paca at least a couple times in the Rainforest of the Americas exhibit. A few years ago there was one in the nursery and that was a lot easier to see. I've also seen the tufted deer once but never the Calamian. Was this your first time at the L.A. Zoo? If you are local, I recommend getting a membership.
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I'm not local and this was my first time. I was very excited when two little fox ears poked up :)
 
Elena said:
The red-fronted macaw that had been on exhibit at the entrance to the South America section near the Andean condor has moved behind-the-scenes to the Avian Conservation Center and a scarlet macaw is now on exhibit instead. (New location of the red-fronted macaw is per a random keeper I saw and asked.)
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One indeed wonders what the rationale for this is?
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
One indeed wonders what the rationale for this is?
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There used to be both a scarlet macaw and a green macaw (not sure if it was always red-fronted) at the entrance to the South America section. The scarlet was on the left and the green on the right with the Andean condor in a larger enclosure also on the left. Some time ago the condor was given access to the scarlet macaw's adjacent enclosure and so the scarlet was moved to the Avian Conservation Center (ACC). My guess would be that the zoo is rotating the birds so that visitors can see something different. The birds in the ACC are technically off-exhibit, but if one is lucky, they can sometimes be seen in the aviaries near the Australia area.

My own anecdotal observations have been that the condor has not been using the extended area of the enclosure as every time I've seen him, he has still been in his original habitat. Of course, it's quite likely that I just haven't been there when he's in the other area. I definitely think the condor should have as big a space as possible. I've missed the scarlet macaw because it was always very gregarious and would come up to the front of the cage to see visitors, whereas the red-fronted (green) macaw has seemed more shy and reserved. I really would like to see both macaws on exhibit and there is an unused partition in the South America roundhouse with the ocelots and curassow that could easily house a bird.
 
The Lair Animal Statues have been repainted and the landscape around it now has mulch.

I asked the staff and told me that the Vulture and Swan Habitats have been taken shape based on observation and plan for an opening in a few weeks next month in July and the African Primate Roundhouses would be next to resume renovations.
 
Earlier this week I saw that the handwashing station at Muriel's Ranch in the Children's Zoo has been removed. The ground has been dug up revealing the water pipes and the area is now cordoned off. Some months ago, the zoo announced that the goat and sheep contact yard would be viewing only as the animals are at an advanced age. However, the viewing is restricted to the morning and early afternoon as I found out the keeper for that area has an early shift.

With the removal of the washing station, there is little chance that the contact yard will reopen with younger goats or other farm animals. Unfortunately, this leaves Los Angeles with virtually no petting zoo for children as the one in Griffith Park by the former pony rides also closed down. The Winnick Family Children's Zoo opened in 2001 after an extensive remodel costing $3.4 million. Muriel's Ranch was a centerpiece of the area and was designed to be accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities. Here is an interesting article from 2012 with a photo gallery that provides a nice tribute to this special contact yard: Muriel's Ranch
 
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