Niabi Zoo Niabi Zoo News

On April 14th, the zoo announced they replaced the fencing surrounding the Nigerian Dwarf goat exhibit.

Niabi Zoo

On April 17th, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.2) Asian small-clawed otters named Louise and Tina which will be on display in the former sloth exhibit inside the Biodiversity Hall once their exhibit is completed. It was also reported that the zoo acquired 3 common squirrel monkeys, and that they will acquire 2 New Guinea singing dogs and 2+? White's tree frogs in the near future.

Niabi Zoo opening for the 2025 season on Tuesday | wqad.com

On April 18th, the zoo announced they moved their Linne's two-toed sloths/blue-crowned motmots to a new exhibit in the Biodiversity Hall.

1.6K views · 74 reactions | Niabi Zoo Blue Crowned Motmot vocalizations | Feathered Friend Friday; featuring the Blue crowned motmot. This little feather friend has alot to say as the pair of birds and their Sloth friends... | By Niabi Zoo | Facebook

On April 20th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) cane toads in late 2024 which are now on display in the Reptile House.

Niabi Zoo
 

On April 22nd, the zoo announced they moved (1.0) reticulated python named Bob off display for 'retirement' and subsequently moved the sloths/motmots into its former exhibit.

Niabi Zoo

On April 24th, the zoo announced that an eastern black-and-white colobus monkey was born.

Niabi Zoo
 
the zoo received 0.3 Central American Red-Backed Squirrel Monkey.(Saimiri oerstedii) Too my knowledge these are the only members of this species of squirrel monkey on display in the country.

Niabi Zoo
Wow, this is a very out-of-left-field acquisition, but its cool to see!

On the topic of Niabi Zoo, is there a reason no zoochatters seem to visit this place? Outside of a single logo photo from 2012, @snowleopard is the only member who has images uploaded to the gallery and aside from some recent map scans the actual zoo photos are from over a decade ago. I'm curious what the zoos been like these last ten years or so. This doesn't seem like that bad of a facility and they were once an AZA member, plus there's a pretty decent number of Illinois/midwest-based Zoochatters around. They already have some interesting species, but will these new monkeys finally be enough to attract some zoo nerds there? If my Chicago trip was longer and I rented a car, maybe I would answer my own question :)
 
Wow, this is a very out-of-left-field acquisition, but its cool to see!

On the topic of Niabi Zoo, is there a reason no zoochatters seem to visit this place? Outside of a single logo photo from 2012, @snowleopard is the only member who has images uploaded to the gallery and aside from some recent map scans the actual zoo photos are from over a decade ago. I'm curious what the zoos been like these last ten years or so. This doesn't seem like that bad of a facility and they were once an AZA member, plus there's a pretty decent number of Illinois/midwest-based Zoochatters around. They already have some interesting species, but will these new monkeys finally be enough to attract some zoo nerds there? If my Chicago trip was longer and I rented a car, maybe I would answer my own question :)
It's a valid question, and I have some thoughts as to why for others, but I'll speak for myself - I have had pretty severe driving anxiety that I've been trying to work on recently, the rail infrastructure isn't great for a lot of the Illinois facilities outside Chicago, besides Miller Park, and I don't know any other zoo nerds in the area. It's a bit of weird irony it's easier for me to visit zoos in other big cities than those in my own state.
 
Wow, this is a very out-of-left-field acquisition, but its cool to see!

On the topic of Niabi Zoo, is there a reason no zoochatters seem to visit this place? Outside of a single logo photo from 2012, @snowleopard is the only member who has images uploaded to the gallery and aside from some recent map scans the actual zoo photos are from over a decade ago. I'm curious what the zoos been like these last ten years or so. This doesn't seem like that bad of a facility and they were once an AZA member, plus there's a pretty decent number of Illinois/midwest-based Zoochatters around. They already have some interesting species, but will these new monkeys finally be enough to attract some zoo nerds there? If my Chicago trip was longer and I rented a car, maybe I would answer my own question :)
It's right across the border from Iowa! I live on the other side of the state right now, so it's quite a drive, but I'm sure I'll end up in Iowa City sometime this summer, and it might be worth it to make the drive from there to give an update!
 
Wow, this is a very out-of-left-field acquisition, but its cool to see!

On the topic of Niabi Zoo, is there a reason no zoochatters seem to visit this place? Outside of a single logo photo from 2012, @snowleopard is the only member who has images uploaded to the gallery and aside from some recent map scans the actual zoo photos are from over a decade ago. I'm curious what the zoos been like these last ten years or so. This doesn't seem like that bad of a facility and they were once an AZA member, plus there's a pretty decent number of Illinois/midwest-based Zoochatters around. They already have some interesting species, but will these new monkeys finally be enough to attract some zoo nerds there? If my Chicago trip was longer and I rented a car, maybe I would answer my own question :)

I last visited almost 7 years ago. I’m waiting to go back once the big cat exhibits have reopened.
 
Wow, this is a very out-of-left-field acquisition, but its cool to see!

On the topic of Niabi Zoo, is there a reason no zoochatters seem to visit this place? Outside of a single logo photo from 2012, @snowleopard is the only member who has images uploaded to the gallery and aside from some recent map scans the actual zoo photos are from over a decade ago. I'm curious what the zoos been like these last ten years or so. This doesn't seem like that bad of a facility and they were once an AZA member, plus there's a pretty decent number of Illinois/midwest-based Zoochatters around. They already have some interesting species, but will these new monkeys finally be enough to attract some zoo nerds there? If my Chicago trip was longer and I rented a car, maybe I would answer my own question :)
For me, everything time I have been in the Quad Cities area Niabi seems to have been closed. I believe they are still a seasonal facility. While it is on my list of zoos to get to, it hasn’t warranted a trip just for the zoo.
 
On May 2nd, the zoo announced they sexed the colobus as (1.0).

Niabi Zoo

On June 12th, the zoo announced they named the colobus Q.

Niabi Zoo

On June 19th, the zoo announced they acquired 2+ koi and 2+ axolotls (among other unspecified species, including the Asian-small clawed otters) from the now-closed SeaQuest Roseville in Minnesota. The zoo also announced they acquired a fennec fox and 2+ poison dart frogs (species(s) not specified).

Niabi Zoo
 
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