This is perhaps the most frustrating part of new exhibit plans in Milwaukee. If we had gotten the funds that we wanted originally, the updates they want now just 2 years later would have been included in the original exhibit. But as the amount of money to spend dwindles, things have to be cut from plans. I know this is likely a very common occurrence in zoos but in my biased perspective, it seems to happen to all of Milwaukee's exhibits, leaving us with some underwhelming new attractions (bonobo "chutes and ladders", black bear and gorilla outdoor exhibit "renovations" and most recently, both phases of Adventure Africa). All are fine exhibits that had needed upgrades, but all are comparatively underwhelming. To again echo a point that several of us have made, I hope with a new director that something changes.
I want to start out and say that I believe Milwaukee Zoo has some of the greatest potential that I’ve seen, though they need someone to come in to unlock that potential. The previous director was good although from looking at the zoo upgrading the facilities to be show stoppers was not one of them. I believe he cared more about protecting animals in the wild so we don’t need zoos then making the next show stopper.
Looking back at MCZ major expansion, African Adventure phase 1, honestly I think it came down to they needed to get the exhibit open in order to retain the elephants. They had already gotten an extension and I’m pretty sure it wasn’t going to be extended. If you recall the master plan was done in 2013 and by now we should be looking at a completed African Adventure and Alaskan Gold Coast, and a redo of The Farm. Unfortunately due to lack of raising funds and the 50/50 contract that is between the Zoological Society and the County, no projects can start till the funds have been fully raised by either entity. So with lack of funds and a time deadline to get the elephants into their new home, they made
several cuts to the original project to get it open. I think much of their projects are facing lack of funding funds and are going through deep cuts.
Speaking of projects, I honestly think that Milwaukee would be a great option to start anew polar bear breeding program. They have the cooler weather, have had great success at maintaining polar bears in the past along with a breeding program. Though the current conditions are totally abysmal, if they redo the exhibit and make it a show stopper, I don’t see why they couldn’t get polar bears from another zoo. I realize that there is a shortage of polar bears, but honestly I may be biased but polar bears shouldn’t be where it’s warm for large portions of the year, at least until they figure out the breeding situation so we can have more polar bears to spare.
The zoo has done a really poor job and notifying the public about what’s happening with the animals at the zoo. The yellow back duiker died last year along with several other animals. The zoo has been known for just removing the signs and not saying a word to the public. Even the zoo ambassadors have no idea what’s going on at times. More often then not guests are the ones informing them on what’s going on, even though they are the ones that are suppose to know what’s going on so they can answer guests questions.
I’ve noticed as well that a lot of the exhibits are having trees removed from the exhibits, the caribou is the latest example. Though not really sure what’s all going on there or if they are planning something new.
The zoo I know has a close tie with the Crane Foundation and they work with them on several projects. I saw that the Sandhill Cranes were removed from the caribou exhibit too. Although I’m not sure if they will reappear somewhere else at the zoo or not. However, I was told by several zoo ambassadors and a zoo keeper that we are getting a new species of cranes soon. I am unaware of where they are going to go though. Also, it appears that the number of African Crown Cranes have expanded. They now of a set in the Impala yard over by the elephants and a new pair in the African Savannah exhibit below the cheetahs.
Something that I didn’t even know had happened is that they removed one of the male bears from the bear exhibit next to the caribou exhibit. The male bear had been creating fights, and the female bear had stopped shifting. Since the move to where Boris the bear is, all bears seem to be at ease and are shifting exhibits once again. So now we’ll see Boris rotate on and off exhibit with one of the male bears from the other exhibit this summer. I believe it’s Bozeman, the bear they moved.
The special exhibit this year will be Lego animals, it will be held in the Special Exhibit Building.
There’s a lot going on at the zoo, and the zoo has a lot of potential for great things this year. I think there are going to be a lot of small changes that aren’t shared with the public like always. I think I have great excitement to see what’s coming next and hope that the new zoo director focuses and improving the zoo and it’s collection.
