What ever happened to the zoo's Grant's gazelles? There were at least six or seven in the summer of 2018 and, according to a post on this thread, one was born in 2019. I know that recently more than two of them died serially and abruptly, but I don't think that this was the death of every animal in the herd.
Memphis Zoo Memphis Zoo News
- Thread starter snowleopard
- Start date
-
- Tags
- memphis zoo news
An interesting history on Natch, the American black bear that kickstarted the Zoo.
The Memphis Zoo started with Natch, a black bear tied to a tree at Overton Park that was later murdered in the middle of the night
Fundraising is taken place to complete both renovations and provide new equipment for the Zoo’s hospital.
Memphis Zoo to upgrade to its on-site veterinary hospital
The Memphis Zoo started with Natch, a black bear tied to a tree at Overton Park that was later murdered in the middle of the night
Fundraising is taken place to complete both renovations and provide new equipment for the Zoo’s hospital.
Memphis Zoo to upgrade to its on-site veterinary hospital
I remember talking to a keeper about this and all the information I had gotten on the matter was that they were transported to another facility in 2021.
That is somewhat surprising, I was under the impression that they were possibly going to renew the loan. That will leave Atlanta as the sole holder in the US. When I was there last December, a keeper did mention that the lease was about to be up, but there was a possibility of renewal. It looks like they didn't go down that route.
Isn't their lease up soon, though, by the end of next year?Don't forget about the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.
You are correct, but it will be interesting to see if the cub stays. It's so bizarre that all these zoos (Calgary - pandas left early, San Diego, Memphis, Smithsonian) are all losing their Giant Pandas. It makes Zoo Atlanta an even more exciting destination!
Persephone
Well-Known Member
It makes perfect sense when you consider the rocky relationship between the US and China in recent years, especially involving escalating rhetoric and fleet / air maneuvers around Taiwan. Pandas have been a diplomatic tool since the 70s.
I would not be surprised if the AZA is pushing on the back end as well, they were part of the reason Columbus did not get a loan a while back, from what I understand.
Better see them before they leave Atlanta too....
Better see them before they leave Atlanta too....
This move on Memphis' part just increased my respect for the zoo. As popular as Giant pandas are with some members of the public, it's also an expensive species to keep that, in my opinion, is not worth the financial burden on the zoo. Add on to that the funds are going to the Chinese government, who haven't exactly been transparent about what they do with them. It'd be one thing if the funds went into Panda conservation, but the sad reality is that this is just more funding for an authoritarian government committing human rights abuses. The interesting question now will be what becomes of the exhibit at Memphis, whether that means replacing pandas with a different species, or completely redeveloping that section of the zoo.
Animallover360
Well-Known Member
Well the National Zoo still has them too at the moment.
Highly unlikely the zoo will redevelop the China exhibit. There are several other parts of the zoo that are in far more urgent need to be replaced and the exhibit is a pretty iconic feature of the zoo. They could revamp the existing panda area for something new, but it's likely they will just replace them with additional red pandas.
Just adding that I also don't find this move surprising and it's only a matter of time before pandas are gone from North America entirely. It'll be interesting to see if European collections follow suit...
The size of the panda habitat would fit red pandas just fine too, unfortunately
All three pandas at the National Zoo, including Xiao Qi Ji, will be leaving by the end of 2023. There is no possibility of an extension from the current pair. The Zoo has stated that they expect a replacement pair to arrive to continue the Zoo's Giant panda research.
Animallover360
Well-Known Member
So the National Zoo will start a new family of pandas?
The zoo also said "we look forward to continuing this partnership in the future", so take that as you may.
Yeah, they'd get a new pair
If this is largely political (I don’t think there’s any doubt this is the case) then there is no way the CCP will allow another pair of Panda’s to go to the national zoo of the United States. I know I’m speculating but it does seem there won’t be any more Panda’s in America for a while.