Wonder if it was the zebra that was in the watering hole exhibit for years that didn’t get along with the other animals? I believe her name was Kelly… also does the MCZ still have the male waterbuck? Haven’t seen him at all this year!
Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo News 2024
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brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
only seen females most of the time, I am not sure about that zebra, maybe but to me it looked young
Definitely would like if they brought in some younger zebras again to add to the Adventure Africa Population!
Two (1.1) Plush-crested Jays have hatched to a female from Houston and a male from Fresno Chaffee. Apparently there are only 45 individuals among US zoos and Milwaukee is only one of two zoos breeding them this year. This is their pair's third clutch: Plush-Crested Jay Chicks Make an Entrance - Milwaukee County Zoo
According to the zoo's instagram Patti the hippo passed away
A particularly heavy loss for the zoo, Patti has lived here since 1972, and was a crowd favorite.
Oldest hippo in U.S. zoos dies at Milwaukee Zoo at age 55
Oldest hippo in U.S. zoos dies at Milwaukee Zoo at age 55
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
She was not the oldest in the U.S - Lu at Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park will soon be 65 years old.
The key words here are “in a zoo.”
Double ouch hearing about this right after Banana (pygmy hippo) is leaving Brookfield... I did a behind the scenes tour for the hippopotamus exhibit last year and had the pleasure to meet and feed Patti. The care team had a lot to share about her and it was fascinating to learn her history at the zoo, but she also just seemed to be a friendly animal who enjoyed the guest interaction, even after we ran out of treats. Probably my favorite animal at Milwaukee.
brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
on the bright side, since they are making a new indoor hippopotamus enclosure there are plans that when construction is complete by fall 2025, they will plan on bringing in a new hippo. I could see a few places with groups of hippos (the facility has 3 or more hippos in their collection) handing over a hippo or two to fill in the missing piece in this exhibit:
cheyenne mountain zoo
dallas zoo
disney animal kingdom
fort worth zoo
memphis zoo
and other zoos around the world could also lend a hand
cheyenne mountain zoo
dallas zoo
disney animal kingdom
fort worth zoo
memphis zoo
and other zoos around the world could also lend a hand
I definitely would look forward to new hippopotamus joining the collection. It was suggested to me during the tour that Milwaukee did want to expand their group but due to Patti and Happy being considered elderly animals they didn't have any plans in the near future; this is also why the two previous hippos were not housed together, as Patii preferred the remnant of the historical exhibit.
Extremely variable depending on the weather but if you're from Chicago you know how it is. The indoor buildings are mostly on the right (like once you enter from the main entrance take the path going to the right) so you can hit up the Aviary, Primates of the World, the Aquatic and Reptile Center, and the Small Mammal House in that order and stay indoors the whole time other than walking from one building to another. After that you'll be walking outdoors much more but there will still be indoor viewing at the Big Cat house, the Elephant house and the Giraffe house.
Honestly the zoo is pretty empty in winter. The buildings will still be open but don't expect to see much for the megafauna, which makes up a significant portion of the zoo.
Have fun with MPM though! Easily some of the best natural history dioramas on Earth in there, I'm still sad that they're closing it.
brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
based on the temperature you could expect the following animals to be outside......
Japanese macaque
North American river otters
Bactrian camels
Alpaca
harbor seals
some of the big cats
zebra
Japanese macaque
North American river otters
Bactrian camels
Alpaca
harbor seals
some of the big cats
zebra
Not that it matters but I've had great luck visiting here in the winter. Some of the hoofstock and birds are gone, which does stink, but the buildings are open, North American species are cold hardy and being able to see the big cats, elephants and giraffes indoors really helps.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Their Nile Hippo will be off-habitat for this winter, but I believe he will be viewable in the new indoor exhibit which will be built next year.
Hope you have fun. The aviary is probably the highlight of the entire zoo and probably my favorite indoor bird house I have visited anywhere, and I am glad they have an elephant barn as a lot of the other nearby elephant holders do not have indoor viewing.
Also, winter visits at Milwaukee are pretty empty which can be great if you don't like crowds
brown bear 555
Well-Known Member
went to the Milwaukee County Zoo and there are a few updates
- the new Humboldt penguin is underway, looking at it the water was already being filled so it seems the final, small adjustments such as signage and final details, and I would not be surprised if the exhibit opens in the next few weeks
- the jewel box aviary that housed the one critically endangered Guam kingfisher is being renovated, the bird was not in there, hoping that the kingfisher will be returned to this exhibit when finished
- the baby plush crested jays look full-grown already
- the former black tree monitor exhibit is undergoing renovations, hopefully seeing a new monitor species
- the new rhino and hippo barn is underway, and the framing has been built