Corangurilla
Well-Known Member
I mean, several zoos keep Inca Terns in rainforest-themed exhibits (Lincoln Park, Tampa), so I guess it could be worse?
North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2022
- Thread starter Breckenridge
- Start date
Right after my post, I just realized the Inca Jay is a subspecies of Green Jay, which they always had in their Desert.
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Some details about the timeline for Asia and the financing for both Asia and Australia from the zoo's Alive Magazine that came out in the spring of this year.
This covers why Asia will open in 2026:
"So Where Are We in the Planning? With Asia: We are getting ready to break ground for this continent. The site is known and surveyed. The state has approved the construction documents, which have been vetted and put out to bid. If all goes well, the Zoo hopes to put shovels in the ground later this fall. It will take at least two years to build the infrastructure and erect the proposed buildings. The Zoo’s talented exhibit artists will need another year or two to build and sculpt the rock work and other habitat amenities to give Asia an authentic look. Meanwhile, the Animal Section will bring in and quarantine new species, and the Horticulture Section will begin planting the landscape. If all goes well, the Zoo hopes that Asia will open to the public sometime in 2026. With Australia: Zoo staff has selected the site for this future continental region. Animal Section curators are developing lists of preferred species to fill up this continent. The design and facilities staffs are also planning and plotting, sorting through early plans under consideration for the proposed continent."
"How Far Along Are We with the Financing? Far enough to start counting some chickens! Looking at numbers alone, the Zoo needs $70 million to build Asia and another $70 million for Australia, or $140 million for the two projects. In an extraordinary and farsighted show of support, the State of North Carolina has set aside $75 million toward the construction of Asia and Australia. That total will be added to about half of an additional $25 million provided by the Connect NC Bond that voters enthusiastically passed in 2016. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Zoo Society—the private non-profit that raises money and engenders public support for the Zoo—has pledged to raise $50 million to complete the funding for the two continental regions. Some time ago, the Society initiated a quiet and careful fundraising campaign for this cause and, so far, has already raised $21 million for the project. An examination of the donations made to Asia and Australia demonstrates the range and depth of North Carolina’s support. More than $8 million has arrived from wills and estate gifts. Individuals have donated nearly $9 million, and more than $4 million has come from corporations and foundations. As the years progress, your Alive magazine will keep you abreast of the Zoo’s progress in building these continents. And the Zoo Society will keep you up-to-date about its fundraising efforts and will be inviting you and our other readers to join us in investing in these additions."
So, if I'm reading this correctly, the zoo is almost has enough money for both projects, with roughly $130M out of $140M needed.
This covers why Asia will open in 2026:
"So Where Are We in the Planning? With Asia: We are getting ready to break ground for this continent. The site is known and surveyed. The state has approved the construction documents, which have been vetted and put out to bid. If all goes well, the Zoo hopes to put shovels in the ground later this fall. It will take at least two years to build the infrastructure and erect the proposed buildings. The Zoo’s talented exhibit artists will need another year or two to build and sculpt the rock work and other habitat amenities to give Asia an authentic look. Meanwhile, the Animal Section will bring in and quarantine new species, and the Horticulture Section will begin planting the landscape. If all goes well, the Zoo hopes that Asia will open to the public sometime in 2026. With Australia: Zoo staff has selected the site for this future continental region. Animal Section curators are developing lists of preferred species to fill up this continent. The design and facilities staffs are also planning and plotting, sorting through early plans under consideration for the proposed continent."
"How Far Along Are We with the Financing? Far enough to start counting some chickens! Looking at numbers alone, the Zoo needs $70 million to build Asia and another $70 million for Australia, or $140 million for the two projects. In an extraordinary and farsighted show of support, the State of North Carolina has set aside $75 million toward the construction of Asia and Australia. That total will be added to about half of an additional $25 million provided by the Connect NC Bond that voters enthusiastically passed in 2016. Meanwhile, the North Carolina Zoo Society—the private non-profit that raises money and engenders public support for the Zoo—has pledged to raise $50 million to complete the funding for the two continental regions. Some time ago, the Society initiated a quiet and careful fundraising campaign for this cause and, so far, has already raised $21 million for the project. An examination of the donations made to Asia and Australia demonstrates the range and depth of North Carolina’s support. More than $8 million has arrived from wills and estate gifts. Individuals have donated nearly $9 million, and more than $4 million has come from corporations and foundations. As the years progress, your Alive magazine will keep you abreast of the Zoo’s progress in building these continents. And the Zoo Society will keep you up-to-date about its fundraising efforts and will be inviting you and our other readers to join us in investing in these additions."
So, if I'm reading this correctly, the zoo is almost has enough money for both projects, with roughly $130M out of $140M needed.
I think your numbers are a little high. The state funding, plus half the bond (other half spent on infrastructure), and the donations makes like $109 million dollars. Which would fully fund Asia and allow all planning to be done on Australia (while the remaining 30 million dollars is raised or appropriated).
But either way, amazing progress and am excited to see the species lists more fleshed out soon.
Whether it costs approximately $110 million or even $140 million, North Carolina Zoo should be able to build some fantastic exhibits for that enormous amount of money. This is already a zoo that I personally rate really high, at least top 10 in the USA. By the time Asia and Australia are added, it could possibly be a top 5 zoo if all goes well. The only issue I have is that these new continental additions are taking forever to come to fruition. Another 4 years to wait until Asia opens? Good grief! 
Whether it costs approximately $110 million or even $140 million, North Carolina Zoo should be able to build some fantastic exhibits for that enormous amount of money. This is already a zoo that I personally rate really high, at least top 10 in the USA. By the time Asia and Australia are added, it could possibly be a top 5 zoo if all goes well. The only issue I have is that these new continental additions are taking forever to come to fruition. Another 4 years to wait until Asia opens? Good grief!
Being state run and funded is good in some aspects (the $75 million in the budget), but also burdensome when it comes to construction. So it makes sense that its gonna take a while. As well the zoo unlike many has its own exhibit team, so all the rockwork and water features will be done in-house. But when its done it will most definitely be a great addition, I just hope they don’t rely too much on the temple theme, as earlier concept art suggested.
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Something just dawned on me. The zoo is getting $70M to build Australia, the same amount as Asia. So far, Australia has been shown to be much smaller in size. I think that this means that Australia will be a lot bigger than we originally thought. The quotes I posted above states: "Animal Section curators are developing lists of preferred species to fill up this continent."
So far it has been confirmed that Cassowary, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Tree Kangaroo, Crocodile Monitor, and an aviary will be included. Hopefully all these animals will stay while new ones are added. I would like to see some variation of Koalas, Emus, Dingos, and maybe even Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Saltwater Crocs, and Echidnas be included.
So far it has been confirmed that Cassowary, Kangaroo, Wallaby, Tree Kangaroo, Crocodile Monitor, and an aviary will be included. Hopefully all these animals will stay while new ones are added. I would like to see some variation of Koalas, Emus, Dingos, and maybe even Wombats, Tasmanian Devils, Saltwater Crocs, and Echidnas be included.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
It was always a little weird they didn’t have koalas and emus in their plan to be honest. Emus are easy enough to obtain and add, koalas are a big draw in an area that previously didn’t have much of one for the general public.
The reliability of obtaining devils is always at least a little dependent on how Australia’s feeling about exports at any given time. The project is years away so who knows. Wombats are uncommon enough I’m not sure they could reliably get them but it would be cool if they could. Same for echidnas, but both of those would fit in well with a nocturnal house like Brookfield and Columbus keep theirs in. Although I’ve never seen an outdoor wombat exhibit.
Salties (or freshies) are doable if they have the space. It would be the park’s second crocodilian species which is kind of cool.
It’s rare to see an Australia area acknowledge the rest of the Pacific, but I always think it would be cool to throw kea / kiwi, Nene, and Galapagos Tortoises in. Maybe fairy penguins since the zoo currently doesn’t have any penguins at all. Would help round out the post-Aviary bird collection. A few exhibits with goats, cats, stoats, cane toads, black rats, and rabbits could also work as a small invasives gallery without any of the animals being too difficult to keep.
Will all of this make the cut? No. Will some of it? Probably. Seventy million is a lot of cash for what they showed last time they talked about it and this was never really going to be the Asia area’s equal.
Wow! $70 million for just ONE of the exhibit complexes? That ain't chump change. That kind of budget puts Asia/Australia on or near par with several other mega-budget zoo projects like San Diego's Africa Rocks or Omaha's African Grasslands (although, of course, there is inflation to consider).
See this thread from @snowleopard from several years back for reference -> Mega-Budget American Zoo Exhibits
With that kind of budget, and NC's overall fantastic exhibit quality, I have high expectations that they can knock this out of the park and, most importantly, make up for all the stuff they lost over the years.
But holy crap, 4 years is a long time to wait. Hopefully the zoo can do something to tide visitors over until it opens. I have said it before, but I will say it again; Asia cannot get here soon enough.
As for the collection, I just hope that they can do enough to differentiate themselves from the Greensboro Science Center, which already has several Asian/Australian species on display.
See this thread from @snowleopard from several years back for reference -> Mega-Budget American Zoo Exhibits
With that kind of budget, and NC's overall fantastic exhibit quality, I have high expectations that they can knock this out of the park and, most importantly, make up for all the stuff they lost over the years.
But holy crap, 4 years is a long time to wait. Hopefully the zoo can do something to tide visitors over until it opens. I have said it before, but I will say it again; Asia cannot get here soon enough.
As for the collection, I just hope that they can do enough to differentiate themselves from the Greensboro Science Center, which already has several Asian/Australian species on display.
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
I guess the newly renovated baboon exhibit that opens next year and (maybe) the stingray touch tank that the zoo is planning will have to do until then. But other than that there is nothing that I know of.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
In fairness we’ve already waited twenty years for the zoo to open something new. What’s four more?
Other 2022 News:
On February 2nd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Puerto Rican crested toad named Number 17 has passed away. He alone had sired 1,100 tadpoles that have been transferred to Puerto Rico for release in the wild.
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On April 6th, the zoo announced that they have acquired a (1.0) southern three-banded armadillo named Arlo, and is currently an animal ambassador.
North Carolina Zoo - EDventures2209 Armadillo Exam | Facebook | By North Carolina Zoo | Let’s Welcome Arlo the Armadillo! Come along and meet the Zoo’s newest animal ambassador! His name is Arlo, and he’s a pretty awesome 3-banded armadillo!...
On April 30th, the zoo announced they have hired a new full-time vet, Dr. Tim.
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On May 3rd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) harbor seal named Ronan is back on exhibit after it was closed for renovations in March.
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On June 13th, the zoo announced that they have transferred (0.2) western lowland gorillas named Olympia and Jamani to the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington.
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On June 29th, the zoo announced they have sent 3,000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico for release.
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On February 2nd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Puerto Rican crested toad named Number 17 has passed away. He alone had sired 1,100 tadpoles that have been transferred to Puerto Rico for release in the wild.
Log into Facebook
On April 6th, the zoo announced that they have acquired a (1.0) southern three-banded armadillo named Arlo, and is currently an animal ambassador.
North Carolina Zoo - EDventures2209 Armadillo Exam | Facebook | By North Carolina Zoo | Let’s Welcome Arlo the Armadillo! Come along and meet the Zoo’s newest animal ambassador! His name is Arlo, and he’s a pretty awesome 3-banded armadillo!...
On April 30th, the zoo announced they have hired a new full-time vet, Dr. Tim.
Log into Facebook
On May 3rd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) harbor seal named Ronan is back on exhibit after it was closed for renovations in March.
Log into Facebook
On June 13th, the zoo announced that they have transferred (0.2) western lowland gorillas named Olympia and Jamani to the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington.
Log into Facebook
On June 29th, the zoo announced they have sent 3,000 Puerto Rican crested toad tadpoles to Puerto Rico for release.
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OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
That's some great news for the Puerto Rican Crested Toads!!
I know the zoo will miss the two gorillas. How are now at the zoo?
OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
Awesome news! Hope we get more Sand Cat Kittens!
Today is C'Sar's 48th birthday, making him North America's oldest bull African Elephant.
Zoo Society Facebook Post
Zoo Society Facebook Post
For the first time in its nearly 50-year history, the Zoo saw 1 million guests in one fiscal year! 
With those numbers, this will potentially lead the way to other tourism attractions and amenities, and ultimately continuing the Zoo’s path towards their new construction projects.
https://amp.newsobserver.com/news/local/article263814983.html
With those numbers, this will potentially lead the way to other tourism attractions and amenities, and ultimately continuing the Zoo’s path towards their new construction projects.https://amp.newsobserver.com/news/local/article263814983.html
There is now a bus service (under Piedmont Authority for Regional Transit, or PART) running between Greensboro and the Zoo.
On August 3rd, the zoo announced that their (1.0) African lion named Reilly has passed away at age 23 due to a long battle with renal disease.
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OkapiFan
Well-Known Member
He was a truly impressive animal and will be dearly missed.
