Four river otter pups are now on display:
Milwaukee County Zoo river otter pups can be seen by visitors
Milwaukee County Zoo river otter pups can be seen by visitors
Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter MKE Zoo guy
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Two new baby maquaces were born recently
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Just a quick update…
- Looks like they just replaced the fencing around the old dall sheep exhibit
- The one river hog that was by itself has now moved in with the bongos
- The younger greater kudu is being transferred to another facility
- Something seems to be happening with the tamarin population at the zoo (golden, black, cotton headed) not sure if they are being move to different parts of the zoo
- Fencing that was holding the female hippo in the old elephant exhibit was down, not sure what’s going on there.
- Looks like a tortoise of some sort is moving into the exhibit between the camel and yak exhibit
- Red panda fence is down, you can once again get near the glass
- Every Monday now they are doing a talk back session/ procedure(s) at the animal hospital
Interested to see what happens with the tamarins
I will be visiting on Monday, so I can check and see if anything happens then.
5/23/2022 Updates
- Spider Tortoises are now on exhibit in the reptile building (not sure if this was mentioned already)
- The old Cotton-Top Tamarin exhibit says it'll be getting new residents soon. I know the zoo plans on getting Prevost's Squirrels, so they might be going in there?
- There were no cuttlefish on exhibit
- Dragon goby are on exhibit with the pufferfish and archerfish
- There was something in a smaller carrier inside a little hut in one of the tamarin/marmoset enclosures near the old dwarf mongoose. I got a picture and will post it later. It was hard to tell what it is.. it looked it might be a golden lion tamarin? It was blond, kind of looked like a loris.
- Princess the Mandrill is still there.
- Cotton-Top Tamarins were in the big Goeldi's Monkey exhibit next to the mandrill.
AnonGibbon
Active Member
Visited on Friday:
The fence at the red panda exhibit was back up.
Saw both new baby Japanese macaques and three of the baby otters.
Still construction in the extra pool near the hippo exhibit.
Saw the family group of gorillas inside and Maji Maji outside. I wonder if the group ever goes outside and Maji/Hodari inside? I've never seen it that way. It's unfortunate that the outside deck never seems to be open anymore. Is there a reason for that?
Goeldi's were back in their exhibit. No tamarins in there.
Are there no longer two siamangs? Only saw one my last few visits - I think it was Annie.
The fence at the red panda exhibit was back up.
Saw both new baby Japanese macaques and three of the baby otters.
Still construction in the extra pool near the hippo exhibit.
Saw the family group of gorillas inside and Maji Maji outside. I wonder if the group ever goes outside and Maji/Hodari inside? I've never seen it that way. It's unfortunate that the outside deck never seems to be open anymore. Is there a reason for that?
Goeldi's were back in their exhibit. No tamarins in there.
Are there no longer two siamangs? Only saw one my last few visits - I think it was Annie.
Yes, the male passed away sometime over the last year. I believe the zoo is looking to bring in a younger companion for her in the near future.
AnonGibbon
Active Member
I remember he was quite old - almost 50 I think. Hopefully they find a new one soon. Thanks for the info
The fence was there during my visit as well. I forgot to mention that.
I think the decks were closed due to COVID and just never opened up again.
How were the baby otters? They were not out during my visit. I missed baby otters at Henry Vilas and Milwaukee! (I have horrible luck with baby otters.)
There's only one Siamang
I visited today and it was kinda disappointing.
I never realized how much energy the birds brought to the zoo and now that they are gone temporarily, there’s an energy missing.
I inquired about the happenings in the former elephant/ hippo exhibit and they choose not to respond.
Also, there was a lot of empty exhibits around the zoo. Several places where the animal population once held several now hold few. I’m not sure what’s all going on at the zoo but it seems lesser as of right now. Those that have gone what are your thoughts? Does the zoo seem to be more empty? Could it because just the birds or could it be due to lack of animals? I would enjoy hearing from you.
- The Red Panda fence was pushed very far back, further then anytime I thinking during the covid restrictions. Last time I saw that was when there was a baby red panda, so maybe…
- There’s something interesting going on with former elephant/hippo yard. There’s now a very large black chain-linked fence surrounding the whole exhibit, up until the watering hole.
- Now that the cuttlefish are gone they put back the plastic garbage exhibit.
I never realized how much energy the birds brought to the zoo and now that they are gone temporarily, there’s an energy missing.
I inquired about the happenings in the former elephant/ hippo exhibit and they choose not to respond.
Also, there was a lot of empty exhibits around the zoo. Several places where the animal population once held several now hold few. I’m not sure what’s all going on at the zoo but it seems lesser as of right now. Those that have gone what are your thoughts? Does the zoo seem to be more empty? Could it because just the birds or could it be due to lack of animals? I would enjoy hearing from you.
Shame to hear about the cuttlefish, especially because a new batch had just arrived earlier this year. As far as the empty feeling in the zoo, I hear you but can assure there are steps being taken to help fill the spaces; yak in the former rhino yards, tortoises in the former tapir yard, and a new species for the zoo coming to the old elephant yard. I've read on this forum before (maybe it was even you who said it @MKE Zoo guy) but the zoo is at an awkward growing stage between major projects right now. Still, there are certainly many areas of the zoo that feel very empty (Small Mammals and Primates come to mind) and all of the birds being off exhibit certainly hurts, but hopefully the bird flu will pass through soon. With the Small Mammal building, many of those residents are older animals living out their golden years until new animals ultimately come to take their place. The building also has small exhibits, so 1 or 2 individuals may have access to 3-5 exhibits! That adds to that emptiness feeling. As for primates, the loss of Sam the siamang and Leroy the mandrill leaves us with just one of each species for the time being. With the Mandrill on her way out (soon?) to Disney, I'm not sure what the plan is for the current exhibit. The African Forest yard also feels like a missing opportunity. I know we'e been waiting on a male bongo to start a breeding group since forever but I haven't heard anything on that recently. Adding Mango the red river hog will hopefully help, but otherwise the large exhibit has been just for three guineafowl (off exhibit) and two bongos.
In short, yeah. The zoo seems more empty, but its mostly circumstantial. The birds will be able to return hopefully by the end of June, there are efforts being made to fill in the empty spaces left by rhinos and elephants, but as for the zoo's ancient buildings options are limited for now. I am hopeful that as the summer goes on, more of these species will be filled with life again.
Don't get me wrong, I know that there are greater things to hopefully come to the zoo. I know currently our zoo is a geriatric zoo with several species, and recognizing that the current health environment of the world we currently have is putting a damper on things. Though some things just seem to be out of neglect or financial potentially.
Normally by the time the zoo opens around Memorial Day, all the animals are out, and the zoo pretty much has all the animals that they will have for the summer season out. Walking around there just seems to be so much lack of general maintenance done, and the exhibits aren't full. Almost every area of the zoo has signage washed out, or just missing, railings have gone unpainted, the seating area over by the caribou isn't set up, there's still planters blacking the outside area to the gorillas. I am totally not holding anyone responsible due to exiting out of the current health environment in ways, and the lack of funds that they received during the previous 2 years. It just wasn't what I was expecting.
Not only was the maintenance the issue, almost in every area of the zoo, exhibit space isn't being used to its fullest potential. Yes, I understand that there are some areas that are coming up on remodel, but then there are others that just seem like they are getting ready for that remodel that may be years or decades away. Some examples would be where they had the milk frogs last year, the Puget Sound & cuttlefish/ jellyfish tank, there's a corner exhibit by the snakes that has been dark since prelockdown for a number of years too, most of the small mammal building is doing what it can to appear to stocked but really they are stretching it, we no longer have a male elk, the prairie dog exhibit has nothing in it, the polar bear exhibit is empty, the one has African spurred tortoises that once where in another exhibit attempting to fill a spot, we have two yaks trying to fill two exhibit spaces, no male lion, two tigers both related to each other, two jaguars that are son and mother, and the former elephant and hippo space is empty, these just a list a few things I can think of off the top of my head. Again I know there may be things I missed and I know that there's a remodel coming from some of the things that were mentioned. But at this time and place it feels very empty.
I know that this may be for just a year or so, the rhino/hippo exhibits are hopefully getting started this spring, the new entrance area (penguins, front entrance, zoo mobiles) will hopefully get started at the same time too. However, what does that mean for the rest of the zoo?
RhinoHippoElephantGiraffe
Well-Known Member
@MKE Zoo guy The new hippo exhibit opened in Summer 2020. The new rhino exhibit is not likely to start construction until next year.
The indoor part of the hippo exhibit will be redone when they close off the “mallway” for the rhino expansion.
I felt the exact same way! When I visited last week the zoo seemed super empty. The aviary is closed, the flamingos and penguins are off-exhibit, several of the exhibits in the Primate and Small Mammal buildings are empty, there are no badgers, no prairie dogs, the polar bear exhibit is empty, the dall sheep enclosure is empty, the elk/caribou and otters were off-exhibit when I visited, there are no rhinos, the old elephant exhibit is empty... do I have to go on?
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
If this "new species" ends up being Watusi, I'm going to laugh until my lungs give out.
I understand everyone's frustration, but I think some of these complaints aren't being very fair to the zoos circumstances.
Right now the zoo is experiencing the natural growing pains associated with significant change and development. Keep in mind that Milwaukee has a lot of catching up to do after two decades of minimal changes and no major additions. Until construction begins on the last Adventure Africa phase, the entire central part of the zoo (mainly what remains of the pachyderm mall) is going to be a bit messy for a while. I give the zoo credit for filling the space with temporary additions like yaks and tortoises instead of just leaving them empty to at least show that they are doing there best to keep things active. It's not like they are removing species and leaving exhibits empty with no future plans, they are actively pursuing a very promising looking development to take over the space with the rhino and hippo house. These things take time, but it's also important to remember that we are coming off of three major projects opening in back-to-back-to-back years: Otter Passage and the West Entrance in 2018, the elephant complex and antelope paddocks in 2019, and the hippo exhibit in 2020. Even though we all have some mixed opinions about how some of these exhibits turned out, they were all multi-million dollar endeavors that were delayed countless times in the past before things finally aligned and it should be commended that the zoo was able to constantly open a major exhibit three years in a row. This year is also the calm before the storm of construction that is on the horizon. Next year three more major capital projects are on track to start development: The new rhino/hippo house, the penguin expansion, and the revamped main entrance. Until then it's to be expected that things are going to be quiet this year while the zoo is preparing for the surge in development to come in 2023. Don't let the empty exhibits fool you, Milwaukee is the most progressive now than it's ever been.
With all of that said, I do agree that things are far from perfect.
The status of the Alaskas Cold Coast project is unknown at this point, but by all means a new North American zone replacing the current one is definitely the next big thing post Adventure Africa. Mr. Morris alluded to plans for exhibits focusing on cold tolerant species and while plans will have changed from the old master plan, the same general idea of an Alaskan exhibit taking up the entirety of the North American exhibits is still a go. In fact from what I hear moose, elk and wolves may be folded into the plans from the since scrapped Wild Woods exhibit. I agree that it would be nice for prairie dogs to be back, but the former polar bear enclosure is a concrete dumpster fire not suited for any species and it should stay empty until its demolished.
There were plans to bring in a male bongo from San Fransisco before covid hit, but any mention of those plans has been ceased and I have no idea why. I agree that the zoo is missing a big opportunity by not following through with this.
I doubt that will be happening though, as the reason the yaks were brought it is because they can be exhibited during the winter. I'm not sure how cold tolerant Watusi are, but Wisconsin winters are no joke and I don't think they would bring in a species to exhibit them outdoors for five months tops before locking them indoors for another four months before demolishing the whole area.
Right now the zoo is experiencing the natural growing pains associated with significant change and development. Keep in mind that Milwaukee has a lot of catching up to do after two decades of minimal changes and no major additions. Until construction begins on the last Adventure Africa phase, the entire central part of the zoo (mainly what remains of the pachyderm mall) is going to be a bit messy for a while. I give the zoo credit for filling the space with temporary additions like yaks and tortoises instead of just leaving them empty to at least show that they are doing there best to keep things active. It's not like they are removing species and leaving exhibits empty with no future plans, they are actively pursuing a very promising looking development to take over the space with the rhino and hippo house. These things take time, but it's also important to remember that we are coming off of three major projects opening in back-to-back-to-back years: Otter Passage and the West Entrance in 2018, the elephant complex and antelope paddocks in 2019, and the hippo exhibit in 2020. Even though we all have some mixed opinions about how some of these exhibits turned out, they were all multi-million dollar endeavors that were delayed countless times in the past before things finally aligned and it should be commended that the zoo was able to constantly open a major exhibit three years in a row. This year is also the calm before the storm of construction that is on the horizon. Next year three more major capital projects are on track to start development: The new rhino/hippo house, the penguin expansion, and the revamped main entrance. Until then it's to be expected that things are going to be quiet this year while the zoo is preparing for the surge in development to come in 2023. Don't let the empty exhibits fool you, Milwaukee is the most progressive now than it's ever been.
With all of that said, I do agree that things are far from perfect.
This is all very true. Milwaukee is a very rough around the edges at the moment. The signage and railings are very dated and in dire need of being replaced. Again, this is something that will be fixed all at once as these areas are replaced entirely in the future. A lack of proper upkeep is a pattern I will admit is an issue though, as the crumbling pathways and rusted fencing are not a good look and give a very dated vibe to the grounds. The ape yards have also been blocked off since before covid which is really quite ridiculous at this point.
The status of the Alaskas Cold Coast project is unknown at this point, but by all means a new North American zone replacing the current one is definitely the next big thing post Adventure Africa. Mr. Morris alluded to plans for exhibits focusing on cold tolerant species and while plans will have changed from the old master plan, the same general idea of an Alaskan exhibit taking up the entirety of the North American exhibits is still a go. In fact from what I hear moose, elk and wolves may be folded into the plans from the since scrapped Wild Woods exhibit. I agree that it would be nice for prairie dogs to be back, but the former polar bear enclosure is a concrete dumpster fire not suited for any species and it should stay empty until its demolished.
Now this I concur is inexcusable. It's one thing to have commentary on ocean pollution, but to just fill is an exhibit with garbage with no explanation is foolish. Looks like there taking notes from the Beaver Springs Aquarium. Side Note: You never want to emulate the Beaver Springs Aquarium, for anything.
There were plans to bring in a male bongo from San Fransisco before covid hit, but any mention of those plans has been ceased and I have no idea why. I agree that the zoo is missing a big opportunity by not following through with this.
No he's there, you just never, ever see him.
Speak for yourself, I think Watusi are cool.If this "new species" ends up being Watusi, I'm going to laugh until my lungs give out.
I doubt that will be happening though, as the reason the yaks were brought it is because they can be exhibited during the winter. I'm not sure how cold tolerant Watusi are, but Wisconsin winters are no joke and I don't think they would bring in a species to exhibit them outdoors for five months tops before locking them indoors for another four months before demolishing the whole area.
Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
Hey, I think they’re cool, too. I’m just aware of the Watusi-related ires on this site and the thought of them being brought to another major zoo to fill in space was funny in an admittedly trollish way.Speak for yourself, I think Watusi are cool.
But now that you bring up the weather thing, I have no idea what they could use to fill in that space. I thought about Watusi because they’re the only large, easy to obtain, easy to replace African mammal I could think of.