Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo News 2024
- Thread starter Wild wolverine
- Start date
Info on new male Eastern bongo:
Eastern Bongo herd at Milwaukee County Zoo grows with surprise birth
Groot, a 5-year-old male Eastern bongo, arrived at the zoo on May 25 from the Micanopy Zoological Preserve in Florida. He's been recommended to breed and will eventually be introduced to the female Eastern bongos at the zoo.
Eastern Bongo herd at Milwaukee County Zoo grows with surprise birth
Groot, a 5-year-old male Eastern bongo, arrived at the zoo on May 25 from the Micanopy Zoological Preserve in Florida. He's been recommended to breed and will eventually be introduced to the female Eastern bongos at the zoo.
Glad the zoo's bongo program is finally taking off -- they've been talking about bringing in a male for at least five years at this point. A surprise birth is a wonderful start to what will hopefully be successful breeding efforts.
Apparently they were going to bring a male in back in 2020 but then Covid hit
Visited the zoo today and was a pretty nice trip. To start, I saw the baby bongo which was adorable. That addition is so big for the zoo. It was also nice to see them up close instead of tucked in the corner like usual. Other news… the dairy farm birthed a male calf on the 2nd of August. He was in the building with a keeper while the other cows were in the yard. Zookeeper said the calfs from a year or two ago have been sent out. They are making room for this new calf and one on the way in September! A few of the bird exhibits had extra barriers in front because some hatchlings recently. I noticed a few areas had torn down signs. The older wooden trim signs are being replaced with the new metal signs around the outdoor primate habitats. Rhino construction was in full swing as the old pachyderm mall is being demolished. The walkway between the hippo and snow leopard exhibits are now open and accessible to guests.
Random thoughts I had while at the zoo were that I really enjoy the progress this zoo is making. Seems like day by day this zoo is making changes for the better. A few areas I’d love to see them utilize with new species are still the old Dall Sheep exhibit, former Southern Screamer yard and this one is just wishful thinking but if pony rides are no longer a thing, repurposing that area with a capybara exhibit or small South American habitat would be so cool. I don’t see that one happening but would love something like that. I also believe one of the rhino habitat designs showed a smaller exhibit for a small African species? Could be wrong but I think it would be really cool to bring back meerkats and have a long exhibit in between the rhino habitat and the pathway where the former Malayan tapir/sloth bear exhibits are. A few animal addition I would hope for in the near future would be some zebra for impala plains again. It’s weird not seeing them. Also a male impala would be nice. Also the gazelle habitat would be nice to add a bigger herd(5-12) Seems like an outdoor aviary with two gazelles. The caribou habitat seems to only be home to the male now. I’ve only seen him this whole year. It would be nice for him to get a couple ladies and maybe start a breeding program
I can only agree with your gut feeling and observations how the MWZ is moving forward.
I do think this first mountain bongo calf is exemplary for all you saying above AND is a real milestone for the zoo upward on a road to rebuilding and most important re-inventing itself. I personally do see that changes at the helm of the MWZ are a major driver of that change.
If Milwaukee is granted the resources to thrive (which is no guarantee) I think it has massive potential to become one of the better zoos in the country. It has a fantastic megafauna collection and Adventure Africa has done a lot to elevate the spaces for a lot of these animals. It has a surprisingly great farm area as well. Renovations to the small mammal and reptile houses, primate buildings, and bear dens all seem to be nearer on the agenda and will eliminate all but a few of the most obviously dated areas. There will be a couple holes in the collection to fill (Australia, large canids, maybe moose) but I think greatness is within reach.
Stopped by on Thursday, my first trip of the year after several visits last. A break was needed but dang, have I missed this place.
Construction
So let's start with the big stuff -- construction is well underway and I'm honestly really impressed so much change is happening at once. The whole zoo is going to feel fresh next year, I bet. The penguin construction disrupts the boardwalk entrance but is otherwise much less disruptive than I expected and looks more like a smart extension of the existing space than total reinvention -- which is what I was hoping for, personally. I took a different route today to pass it and ended up going straight by the flamingos and the aviary. I've actually never taken that path (always backtracked to the aviary)
The Adventure Africa construction, on the other hand, was a lot more disruptive than I expected. The old pachyderm mall desperately needed an update but I admit it's some sad nostalgia to seem them dismantling it. I did take some photos above the fence of the construction work and it seemed active as I was there. So disappointing the access to Hippo Haven is cut off considering it's such a new exhibit and finding my way out of the Snow Leopard/Tiger/Red Panda plaza was a bit tricky. It also affects part of the giraffe exhibit. At the time of my visit, the old outdoor enclosures were still untouched.
Additional Notes:
- The wetlands aviary was extremely active with the five inca tern chicks practicing feeding alongside the adults. One of the storks appeared to be feeding on a mouse. I spoke to a docent for a while about them and we discussed that at one point live fish were present in the pool for the terns some years ago but the zoo's partner for this pulled out.
- I managed to locate the American oystercatcher this time, which was resting under a leaf, and the African pygmy geese, which disappeared a few moments later when my back was turned.
- The penguin glass was defogged and I've never enjoyed watching Gentoo penguin so much! As often, the Rockhopper remained to a smaller corner.
- This was my first time seeing the southern crested screamers, which as previously reported are now in the pheasantry next to the Whooping cranes. They were vocal, of course.
- The western lowland gorillas and bonobos were signed as "off display" when viewed indoors but one gorilla (likely Maji Maji) was outside in his corner, and the bonobos were also there. Tommy was indoors and Alex outdoors for the orangutans. The one really effective exhibit, which recently held tamarins, is empty right now. Colobus were also no-shows.
- Onassis the Giant Amazon Arrau River Turtle was back on display alongside the other fish, but the Arapaima were missing. (I don't think which fish was specified before.)
- The pirahna exhibit is still listed as waiting as "new animals coming soon"/
- I went through the dinosaur exhibit. The species list is Allosaurus, Megalosaurus, Utahraptor, Deinonychus, Baryonyx, a dead Triceratops, Dimetrodon, Coelophysis, Dilophosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Suchomimus and a climable, unsigned Tyrannosaurus as well as a Jurassic Park look-alike truck. The signage for the moose has been removed.
- The Small Mammal House signage lists "Senegal bush baby" on display, but refers to Galago moholi. I almost thought it was a mix for a whole three seconds.
- All five bears were outside today. Bozeman was sleeping by the seal exhibit, but the Alaskan brown bear, after initially being a no-show, came back out for enrichment and ate some lettuce. I also want to mention once again that the small pools in the bear dens are so much deeper than they like!
- I not only saw Oscar the badger again, digging in his enclosure, but also saw one of the prairie dogs stand at attention for a bit and then crawl around the exhibit before disappearing. Several guests remarked on how rarely seen this species is here.
- A male caribou was in the back yard of the exhibit while a keeper worked; his antlers made him visible even from this distance.
- No show on the kudu and oryx. A huge disappointment. I thought they'd been brought in but then I saw the waterbuck were still out. Also missed the ground hornbill again, but did see the tommies.
I did see the baby Bongo though, who was having some zoomies, and it appeared all of the adults including the new male were in the enclosure at once, only for a keeper to signal them all towards their inner enclosure.
- By the way, getting to go all the way around the African Forest is a great improvement; I'd say the same for Impala Plains but the impala seem uncomfortable when visitors approach, though I did get a better look than usual. One of the ostrich tried to play with a ball. We could definitely use zebra here again.
- Both tapirs were visible at the South America yard - it was great seeing two, only wish they were closer to where I was viewing.
- Jaguar was visible sleeping indoors this time.
- Ruth and Brittany were a highlight as always, and were indoors around 4PM for a training session. All three elephants were initially separated, then the two aforementioned were brought together. They both used their trunks to pick up treats thrown by keepers. Brittany kept using her trunk to break off parts of a branch, leaving a particular stick on her back for quite a while.
- One of the bird feeders seemed to have a half-dozen different wild birds visiting at once, including I think a blue jay who flew away when I got close. I also saw several wild chipmunks. It was a great day to view wildlife.
Zoo Route
One every visit to Milwaukee, I usually go past the penguins and take the boardwalk through Primates of the World, backtrack to the aviary, then work my way over the otter exhibit before coming back past North America and into Asia/Africa/South America. It seems no matter what, I end up feeling rushed to finish the Asia/Africa/South America section. Do you guys follow this route or have your own?
Construction
So let's start with the big stuff -- construction is well underway and I'm honestly really impressed so much change is happening at once. The whole zoo is going to feel fresh next year, I bet. The penguin construction disrupts the boardwalk entrance but is otherwise much less disruptive than I expected and looks more like a smart extension of the existing space than total reinvention -- which is what I was hoping for, personally. I took a different route today to pass it and ended up going straight by the flamingos and the aviary. I've actually never taken that path (always backtracked to the aviary)
The Adventure Africa construction, on the other hand, was a lot more disruptive than I expected. The old pachyderm mall desperately needed an update but I admit it's some sad nostalgia to seem them dismantling it. I did take some photos above the fence of the construction work and it seemed active as I was there. So disappointing the access to Hippo Haven is cut off considering it's such a new exhibit and finding my way out of the Snow Leopard/Tiger/Red Panda plaza was a bit tricky. It also affects part of the giraffe exhibit. At the time of my visit, the old outdoor enclosures were still untouched.
Additional Notes:
- The wetlands aviary was extremely active with the five inca tern chicks practicing feeding alongside the adults. One of the storks appeared to be feeding on a mouse. I spoke to a docent for a while about them and we discussed that at one point live fish were present in the pool for the terns some years ago but the zoo's partner for this pulled out.
- I managed to locate the American oystercatcher this time, which was resting under a leaf, and the African pygmy geese, which disappeared a few moments later when my back was turned.
- The penguin glass was defogged and I've never enjoyed watching Gentoo penguin so much! As often, the Rockhopper remained to a smaller corner.
- This was my first time seeing the southern crested screamers, which as previously reported are now in the pheasantry next to the Whooping cranes. They were vocal, of course.
- The western lowland gorillas and bonobos were signed as "off display" when viewed indoors but one gorilla (likely Maji Maji) was outside in his corner, and the bonobos were also there. Tommy was indoors and Alex outdoors for the orangutans. The one really effective exhibit, which recently held tamarins, is empty right now. Colobus were also no-shows.
- Onassis the Giant Amazon Arrau River Turtle was back on display alongside the other fish, but the Arapaima were missing. (I don't think which fish was specified before.)
- The pirahna exhibit is still listed as waiting as "new animals coming soon"/
- I went through the dinosaur exhibit. The species list is Allosaurus, Megalosaurus, Utahraptor, Deinonychus, Baryonyx, a dead Triceratops, Dimetrodon, Coelophysis, Dilophosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Suchomimus and a climable, unsigned Tyrannosaurus as well as a Jurassic Park look-alike truck. The signage for the moose has been removed.
- The Small Mammal House signage lists "Senegal bush baby" on display, but refers to Galago moholi. I almost thought it was a mix for a whole three seconds.
- All five bears were outside today. Bozeman was sleeping by the seal exhibit, but the Alaskan brown bear, after initially being a no-show, came back out for enrichment and ate some lettuce. I also want to mention once again that the small pools in the bear dens are so much deeper than they like!
- I not only saw Oscar the badger again, digging in his enclosure, but also saw one of the prairie dogs stand at attention for a bit and then crawl around the exhibit before disappearing. Several guests remarked on how rarely seen this species is here.
- A male caribou was in the back yard of the exhibit while a keeper worked; his antlers made him visible even from this distance.
- No show on the kudu and oryx. A huge disappointment. I thought they'd been brought in but then I saw the waterbuck were still out. Also missed the ground hornbill again, but did see the tommies.
I did see the baby Bongo though, who was having some zoomies, and it appeared all of the adults including the new male were in the enclosure at once, only for a keeper to signal them all towards their inner enclosure.
- By the way, getting to go all the way around the African Forest is a great improvement; I'd say the same for Impala Plains but the impala seem uncomfortable when visitors approach, though I did get a better look than usual. One of the ostrich tried to play with a ball. We could definitely use zebra here again.
- Both tapirs were visible at the South America yard - it was great seeing two, only wish they were closer to where I was viewing.
- Jaguar was visible sleeping indoors this time.
- Ruth and Brittany were a highlight as always, and were indoors around 4PM for a training session. All three elephants were initially separated, then the two aforementioned were brought together. They both used their trunks to pick up treats thrown by keepers. Brittany kept using her trunk to break off parts of a branch, leaving a particular stick on her back for quite a while.
- One of the bird feeders seemed to have a half-dozen different wild birds visiting at once, including I think a blue jay who flew away when I got close. I also saw several wild chipmunks. It was a great day to view wildlife.
Zoo Route
One every visit to Milwaukee, I usually go past the penguins and take the boardwalk through Primates of the World, backtrack to the aviary, then work my way over the otter exhibit before coming back past North America and into Asia/Africa/South America. It seems no matter what, I end up feeling rushed to finish the Asia/Africa/South America section. Do you guys follow this route or have your own?
My typical route (assuming everything is open) is to start in the Aviary. The earlier you get there, generally the less people there are. The building is already far and away the best in the zoo in my opinion, and when its just you and the birds it is a wonderful experience. After the aviary I enter Primates by the outdoor siamang exhibit. After Primates and exiting through the boardwalk, I go down the hill to the Savannah yard, then left to hippos, giraffes, then up pachyderm mall to Big Cats. I exit Cats by the outdoor lions, then finish the Africa/SA/Asia loop. Then at Boris brown bear and the badger exhibits, I go up whats called Badger Hill, and go through Reptiles, then on to Small Mammals and Otters and the North America line before hitting Elephants, the African Forest & Impala Plains, then finish out by passing hippos and Savannah again. I usually skip the farm.
Of course, everyone’s route will be different depending on what they’re prioritizing and want to see. I tweak my route every time I visit, but what I outlined above is more often than not the route I take through the zoo. Hope this helps! Im curious to hear what other’s typically do, as Milwaukee’s layout can be confusing with backtracking and easy misses. Ive been visiting regularly for 15 years and still haven’t figured out a way through without backtracking
ConcernedThirdParty
Well-Known Member
This Has Been My Standard Route for As Long A I Can Remember with Just Slight Updates to Accommodate New Exhibits but a Larger Divergence this Last Time:
Unchanged:
Humbolt Penguins (Currently Closed but Visible)
Flamingos
Aviary
Macaques
Apes Of Africa
Primates of the World
Ectotherms
Small Mammals
Non Avian Dinosaurs (I Always Skip Them but This Is Where They Would Be)
Otter Passage
North America (Caribou Through Badger)
Seals / Grizzly Bears
Elephants
African Forest
Impala Plains
Giraffe
Construction Divergence:
"Camel" YardOld Route:
South America
African Waterhole
Feline Interior
True Panda / Snow Leopards
"Pachyderm" Interior
Hippo
African Savanna
Family Farm (Mostly to Get Ice Cream)
Current Route:
Snow Leopard / True Panda
Feline Interior
South America
African Waterhole
African Savanna
Family Farm (Mostly to Get Ice Cream)
When Taking this Route I Never Feel Like I'm Doing Any Major Backtracking or Short on Time.
Visited on Thursday. I apologize if any of this has been reported already:
- Violet-Backed Starlings are in the second exhibit with the crocodile birds and thick-knees. (I cannot remember if these have been there in the past or not.)
- The former cuttlefish exhibit is now being turned into an exhibit for a reptile or amphibian. It now has a door installed in the back and has a custom background. It looks okay, it'll look great if they get live plants to live in it, though.
The entire bongo herd is now out on exhibit together! Also seeing the penguin exhibit nearing completion is exciting. The rhino construction is in full swing and can’t wait for that center of the zoo to be open again.
The link is a video from Instagram for world gorilla day showing/talking about a routine examination for Maji Maji
Milwaukee County Zoo on Instagram: "Today is World Gorilla Day, a day to celebrate this great species. Learn more about how we care for western lowland gorilla Maji Maji, what goes into a routine exam, and why these exams are so important. Western lowland gorillas are native to the Congo Basin of Africa and listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). How can you help this critically endangered species? Recycle your handheld electronic devices next time you are at the zoo and save the need to mine in their African forest habitats. #worldgorilladay #gorilla #westernlowlandgorilla #savingspecies #mkezoo"
Milwaukee County Zoo on Instagram: "Today is World Gorilla Day, a day to celebrate this great species. Learn more about how we care for western lowland gorilla Maji Maji, what goes into a routine exam, and why these exams are so important. Western lowland gorillas are native to the Congo Basin of Africa and listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature). How can you help this critically endangered species? Recycle your handheld electronic devices next time you are at the zoo and save the need to mine in their African forest habitats. #worldgorilladay #gorilla #westernlowlandgorilla #savingspecies #mkezoo"
brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
went to the zoo a few days ago and not much to say except 2 things:
1. Construction for the new penguin exhibit is underway. I believe that I can expect this to be done and ready by the intended date.
2. after a year, I saw a zebra!!!!! it looked like a young one, possibly new, have not seen any signs of zebra since that zebra fence accident almost a year ago
1. Construction for the new penguin exhibit is underway. I believe that I can expect this to be done and ready by the intended date.
2. after a year, I saw a zebra!!!!! it looked like a young one, possibly new, have not seen any signs of zebra since that zebra fence accident almost a year ago
What exhibit was the zebra in?
brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
the zebra was in the African watering hole exhibit with waterbuck
Sad day, I was here when I got the message though the zebra isn’t out currently.