Montpellier Parc Zoologique Montpellier news

I was going to write a post to explain that Abyssinian ground hornbills have a long lifespan and that it was possible that the individuals present in the park were old (it is for the breeding couple). However, I noticed on this article that the zoo was breeding and "raising" other young groud hornbills from various european zoos and that the mixing with other species was older than I thought.

2024, une année marquée par les naissances au Zoo de Montpellier

I'm thinking of going back to the zoo in a little while to check, but it's possible that the old enclosure is still occupied by the zoo's elderly couple and that other individuals are mixed with the giraffes and gazelles (although it is more likely that the young birds are sent to other zoos). This would mean that the pinioning is recent, which I agree is deplorable. I would like to point out, however, that the numerous actions carried out to enrich the animals are appreciable.
 
The Amazonian greenhouse will no longer house animals and may be repurposed for other uses. All the animals that lived there have been relocated. Of the approximately 500 Seba's short-tailed bats, 120 have been transferred to facilities in France and Germany, while the remaining individuals were unfortunately euthanized due to the lack of suitable relocation options and their precarious health conditions.

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Future rescure towards the center of the picture and the entrance of the zoo/greenhouse on the right

Regarding the park's future, the construction of a wildlife rescue center and of a large African savannah exhibit has been confirmed. As for new species, we can expect ungulates adapted to this savannah environment, as well as animals seized by authorities and rehoused by circuses and suited to Montpellier’s climate.

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View of the future African savannah exhibit

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Several news :

- The zoo has begun renovating the entrance and constructing the 2-hectare African savannah (as well as renovating the giraffe house).

- The complete renovation of the zoo is scheduled for the end of summer 2028.

- To carry out this work, several species have been moved to other enclosures in the zoo (Cape elands, Nile lechwe, scimitar-horned oryx and addax all-together ; Cameroon sheep and emus in separate enclosures).

- Giraffes will leave the zoo in the coming weeks and will not be present during the construction years. Once the new savannah is complete, it is stated that “a new group of giraffes” will be housed there, so probably not the same individuals (2 reticulated). Mhorr gazelles will leave their enclosure in mid-spring (I don't know if they will move to another enclosure or another facility, probably the former).

- Other species have also left or will leave the zoo during 2025: bearded emperor tamarins, lowland tapirs, giant anteaters, Kirk's dik-diks, and Iberian wolves.

- Vicuñas were initially transferred to another enclosure, but they are no longer there, so perhaps they have left the zoo as well...

- However, the zoo has acquired a marabou stork (a new species for the zoo) and will acquire 1.0 cheetah (Josh from La Boissière du Doré) in early December. I'm not 100% certain, but I think that means the zoo will have 5.3 cheetahs (counting the 2.1 juveniles).
 
It's definitely a good thing in the long run. I prefer a zoo that does things well and simply, even if it means reducing the number of species.
Though, it's true that the scale of Montpellier Zoo species reduction is disappointing (especially with the permanent closure of the tropical greenhouse).
 
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