I made my first visit to Milwaukee since, 2022 today. As this place has been well documented of late, I will stick to what I found interesting. Also, I decided to try something new this time and brought some rain clouds with me from home to see how they affected the viewing experience.
I personally find the way Milwaukee keeps their flamingos to be one of the best there is. The summer home has to be around a full acre. Most of it a human-built but natural growth pond that they share with koi so large they are probably as old as the zoo is. I would love to hear other’s perspectives on this though.
In the Aviary the Pygmy Geese and the Mouse Deer are new favorites of mine.
While the loss of the King Penguins is unfortunate, they still have three species which is more than most other facilities.
I wonder if the Whooping Cranes and the Crested Screamers could be moved to smaller but still large pond areas just above the flamingo pond instead of that dreary corner of the “Pheasantry”.
I was lucky enough to pass through the ectotherm building while the Pacific Kelp Forest Tank was receiving its monthly deep clean. This involves two keepers diving in the tank and one keeping watch from the view area. I was able to chat with the observer for a while and got some interesting information. Some pertains to older events so if it has been reported previously, please bear with me.
Regarding the loss of the Leopard Sharks several years ago, apparently, they did pass away and it was determined to be the result of a slow progressing parasitic infection. It was likely something they arrived with (I think most Leopard Sharks at that time were still wild caught). They had been fine for several years before becoming ill. It does not sound like they were able to get an exact ID on the species of organism; but as the other fish are still fine after many more years it is believed to only affect elasmobranchs or even Leopard Sharks specifically. As most aquatic parasites can survive in the environment (substrate in particular) for years or even decades, they (the zoo as a whole) do not believe they can ever keep elasmobranchs safely in that specific tank again.
On a happier note, the Arrau is just fine. She was actually removed from the habitat for the benefit of the other inhabitants. Apparently, the heater for the habitat failed and while it is fixed now, the Arapaima became ill while the tank was below temp and she decided to start harassing the largest fish in the tank (gotta love a boss lady). The Arapaima does still seem to be keeping quite close to the bottom). Anyhow, until everyone else in the take is 100%, the Arrau is in time-out in the basement.
I also got some info on the new building plan that I will add to that thread.
I am unsure if this was stated or just speculated on before; but all of the Golden-Lion Tamarins, Cotton-Top Tamarins, and the Goeldi’s Monkeys have been moved to as shared space (three sections wide) in the small mammal house.
These exhibits are just way too short for such active, arboreal creatures. The same applies to the lemurs and pretty much every thing in Primates of the world too. Milwaukee’s Orangutan exhibit makes Vilas’ look phenomenal by comparison which is something I hope is addressed very soon.
I wonder if the smaller monkeys could cohabitate with the sloth as that habitat is much better proportioned.
The nocturnal side of the small mammal house has always been better than the diurnal side. Though it has lost most of its diversity over the years (Springhaas, Naked Mole Rats, and multiple species of bats have all been lost). The Galagoes were very active and it turns out that Slow Lorises can be plenty fast when they want to be. Vilas should take note of this as they are keeping their Galagoes in a brightly lit room and it is going about how you would expect. The Prehensile-Tailed Porcupette is on exhibit with the parents and is already about half the length of the mother.
One of the three grizzlies has been separated from the other two and is now in the old polar bear habitat. Side note, is Milwaukee the only facility the has both Grizzly Bears (Ursus arctos horribilis) AND Alaskan /Kodiak Brown Bears (Ursus arctos middendorffi).
Are we sure the prairie dogs are back? None were visible and there didn’t appear to be any fresh burrows. The sign is up though. I am also unsure if there is actually a badger.
At this point I think Milwaukee may have the most diverse collection of hoofstock in the Midwest. So many incredible species have been added recently.
One final thing, I can confirm that even with avian flu concerns, there are MANY Peafowl free roaming the zoo. The Peacocks are everywhere but most of the Peahens are sticking to the elephant yard. I presume that they are hiding from the Peacocks.
With my experiment concluded, I will just say that, if like me, you don’t mind the rain, you should bring some with you on your future visits as it is a very effective crowd repellent.
They are just the classic penguins so I still lament their loss.
.