North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2022

The zoo answered on Instagram a while ago, apparently the mouse lemurs are between the vampire bats and the sand cats. That makes me think it's the former beaded lizard habitat.

That would make sense to me. When I visited late Nov/early Dec that exhibit I think was empty (but still signed) and the beaded lizards were in the former Komodo exhibit in the dome.
 
The zoo answered on Instagram a while ago, apparently the mouse lemurs are between the vampire bats and the sand cats. That makes me think it's the former beaded lizard habitat.

That IS the Beaded Lizard exhibit. Huh. Would be interesting to see what they did with the exhibit (I'm really hoping they got rid of that weird partition). I for sure thought they would have used the other exhibit.
 
Was at the zoo today:


All the female elephants were in the north yard, and Artie was in the second yard.

Aviary is still closed.

Wasn't able to go to the desert to see the new mouse lemurs (the rest of my family was getting hungry and wanted to get to Junction Plaza and I wasn't able to swing back by it :()

The seal habitat is currently closed for renovations.

Also got to meet the Zoo EDventures team today which was awesome!
 
Can someone please label or try to explain the new Asia expansion plans? In comparing it to the master plan rendering, the one on the Zoo’s website and now this version…..I’m confused.
 
So, the confirmed species are: Tiger, Komodo Dragon, Chinese Alligator, Visayan Warty Pig, Hornbill, Crane, Vulture, Asian Small-clawed Otter, Gibbon, and I believe King Cobra.

There will be a cafe with one wall being glass and connected to the tiger exhibit. Multiple animals will have some sort of walk ways over paths. So far renderings and article have shown/talked about Tigers, Komodo Dragon, and Gibbon having these.
 
So, the confirmed species are: Tiger, Komodo Dragon, Chinese Alligator, Visayan Warty Pig, Hornbill, Crane, Vulture, Asian Small-clawed Otter, Gibbon, and I believe King Cobra.

There will be a cafe with one wall being glass and connected to the tiger exhibit. Multiple animals will have some sort of walk ways over paths. So far renderings and article have shown/talked about Tigers, Komodo Dragon, and Gibbon having these.
Any specific type of crane/vulture? I have a gut feeling they'll go with white-naped cranes, but I'd personally like to see sarus cranes.
 
So, the confirmed species are: Tiger, Komodo Dragon, Chinese Alligator, Visayan Warty Pig, Hornbill, Crane, Vulture, Asian Small-clawed Otter, Gibbon, and I believe King Cobra.

There will be a cafe with one wall being glass and connected to the tiger exhibit. Multiple animals will have some sort of walk ways over paths. So far renderings and article have shown/talked about Tigers, Komodo Dragon, and Gibbon having these.

Plus a variety of smaller animals in the main exhibit building. Where did you see King Cobra confirmed? Sounds like a great addition to the zoo :)
 
Plus a variety of smaller animals in the main exhibit building. Where did you see King Cobra confirmed? Sounds like a great addition to the zoo :)
I forgot where it was, but I think it is supposed to be in the exhibit building.
 
I just can’t figure the layout of the new plan that was posted back in the fall; it has little resemblance to the one on the zoo’s website. Any explanation from anyone… feel free. I still find it interesting that it was decided not to include red pandas due to a exhibit in Greensboro; However, they also have tigers, gibbons and Komodo dragons. Maybe a planned joint venture between NCZoo, Greensboro and Riverbanks since several species are at all three.
 
I just can’t figure the layout of the new plan that was posted back in the fall; it has little resemblance to the one on the zoo’s website. Any explanation from anyone… feel free. I still find it interesting that it was decided not to include red pandas due to a exhibit in Greensboro; However, they also have tigers, gibbons and Komodo dragons. Maybe a planned joint venture between NCZoo, Greensboro and Riverbanks since several species are at all three.
Greensboro and Riverbanks were going to exchange their male Komodo Dragon, but now that Greensboro lost Drogo, I don't know what will happen with that plan.
 
NC Zoo permanently closing aviary :: WRAL.com

The zoo is permanently closing the aviary, citing both the recent outbreak of avian flu and the deteriorating condition of the building.
  • The birds will either be sent to other zoos or relocated to other parts of the park.
  • The fate of the plants has not been decided yet.
  • The aviary staff will be reassigned to other parts of the park
 
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That's a sad decision. I know the building was deteriorating but they up until recently said they could fix it. Now the bird collection will be even smaller. I imagine given other structural issues with the building the roof replacement was not wise. I hope they can add a few smaller aviaries to the new Asia section and maybe in other areas of the zoo to keep some species in the longer term.

Here is the press release:
North Carolina Zoo Announces the Permanent Closure of its Aviary Habitat | North Carolina Zoo
 
That's a sad decision. I know the building was deteriorating but they up until recently said they could fix it. Now the bird collection will be even smaller. I imagine given other structural issues with the building the roof replacement was not wise. I hope they can add a few smaller aviaries to the new Asia section and maybe in other areas of the zoo to keep some species in the longer term.
I remember hearing that the company that specialized in the type of glass tiles used for the roof when it was originally built doesn't exist anymore, so replacing them would have been incredibly difficult and expensive.
 
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