North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2024

On January 22nd, the zoo announced that they bred and released (0.0.190) gopher frogs into the wild.

https://www.facebook.com/nczoo/post...GqL6HjNpdDBDtFHCG6N1Uv6odYMCQTeH6W7BN5NxHcqsl
Smaggledagle said:
On November 1st, it was reported that the zoo acquired (0.0.2+?) plains zebras from the Roosevelt Park Zoo in North Dakota.

ZOO NEWS: No time for hibernating
Click to expand...

On January 31st, the zoo officially announced that they acquired (1.1) plains zebras named Spirit (mother) and Harding (son) which are now on exhibit.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1178273363142826
 
Just got back from my first visit of 2024 (today, 02/13/2024). A few observations;
  • Burrowing Owls were nowhere to be found. The aviary across from the Australian lizard exhibit in the Desert was empty and unsigned.
  • The River Otter exhibit has a new glass barrier installed in the upper viewing areas (this could explain why @SusScrofa saw Streamside closed for construction back in August). It's taller than the previous barrier.
  • Asia is coming along very well. An entrance archway themed to a Southeast Asian temple has been installed, and the bridge that will take visitors to the new land is up as well. Without the summer foliage, the construction is visible from almost the entire North American region. Additionally, exhibits are starting to go up; if you take the tram from Junction Plaza to North America, you can spot supports for netting and climbing structures in the form of fake trees. Also, the shipping container tunnel has been removed.
  • Didn't see the Baja Blue Rock Lizard for the 2nd time in a row. :mad:
  • The African lizards and Pancake tortoises were all off-exhibit.
  • The former Hognose Snake exhibit in Cypress Swamp still remains empty and unsigned to this day. This has been the case for a year now.
  • Didn't see this mentioned so apologies if I missed it, but Rime the North American Porcupine is on breeding loan at the Elmwood Park Zoo (a place I might actually be able to get to later this spring or summer).
 
Astrotom3000 said:
Just got back from my first visit of 2024 (today, 02/13/2024). A few observations;
  • Burrowing Owls were nowhere to be found. The aviary across from the Australian lizard exhibit in the Desert was empty and unsigned.
  • The River Otter exhibit has a new glass barrier installed in the upper viewing areas (this could explain why @SusScrofa saw Streamside closed for construction back in August). It's taller than the previous barrier.
  • Asia is coming along very well. An entrance archway themed to a Southeast Asian temple has been installed, and the bridge that will take visitors to the new land is up as well. Without the summer foliage, the construction is visible from almost the entire North American region. Additionally, exhibits are starting to go up; if you take the tram from Junction Plaza to North America, you can spot supports for netting and climbing structures in the form of fake trees. Also, the shipping container tunnel has been removed.
  • Didn't see the Baja Blue Rock Lizard for the 2nd time in a row. :mad:
  • The African lizards and Pancake tortoises were all off-exhibit.
  • The former Hognose Snake exhibit in Cypress Swamp still remains empty and unsigned to this day. This has been the case for a year now.
  • Didn't see this mentioned so apologies if I missed it, but Rime the North American Porcupine is on breeding loan at the Elmwood Park Zoo (a place I might actually be able to get to later this spring or summer).
Click to expand...
Any pics of the updated river otter exhibit/Asia construction?

EDIT: Never mind, saw them in the gallery - it's amazing how fast they got the entrance up! Looks like they got all the vital infrastructure outta the way. :eek::)
 
Another update I wanted to provide; here are all additions and removals to the on-display species lineup that I have noted since my last visit in June 2023. This should also align with @Breckenridge's Dec 2023 list, although I did not see any Tenrecs or Inca Doves.
  • Additions
    • Arizona/Madrean Alligator Lizard (Elgaria kingii) (This is actually a returning species)
    • Banded Knob-tailed Gecko (Nephrurus wheeleri cinctus)
    • Central Plateau Dusky Rattlesnake (Crotalus triseriatus triseriatus)
    • Northern Hog Sucker (Hypentelium nigricans) (Unsigned)
    • Tamaulipan Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus morulus)
    • Von der Decken's Hornbill (Tockus deckeni)
  • Removals
    • Baja California Ratsnake (Bogertophis rosaliae) (Replaced with Banded Knob-tailed Gecko)
    • Banded Rock Rattlesnake (Crotalus lepidus klauberi) (Replaced with Tamaulipan Rock Rattlesnake and Dusky Rattlesnake)
    • Blue-faced Honeyeater (Entomyzon cyanotis) (Exhibit was empty and unsigned)
    • Burrowing Owl (Athene cunicularia) (Replaced with Von der Decken's Hornbills and White-headed Buffalo Weavers)
    • Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) (Sent to Greenville Zoo)
    • Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) (Replaced with Von der Decken's Hornbills and White-headed Buffalo Weavers)
    • Laughing Kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) (Exhibit was empty and unsigned)
    • Plains/Western Hognose Snake (Heterodon nasicus) (Replaced with Arizona Alligator Lizard)
As you can see, nearly all of the changes are in the Desert exhibit. That exhibit has always been in a heavy state of flux and the lineup changes notably between visits.
 
The zoo released a new video on the Asia construction today!

- Asia is a lot more themed than most areas of the zoo, and they are leaned heavily into the "ruined temple" theme.
- While this concept is very overused, I'm really liking the NC Zoos take on it! The rock work at the zoo is second to none, and the detailing from what the video showed was incredible!
- the video shows the progress on both the indoor Gibbon and indoor Komodo Dragon exhibits
- A Monitor Lizard of some description will be in the "View Pavilion"
- Gibbons will indeed be in a shared habitat with ASCOs
- There was mention of some sort of program to allow guests to "track" the Tigers. Not a lot of detail was given, but it sounds like a cool concept!
- The overhead path system for the Tigers is a lot more complex than I originally thought, as the Tigers will be able to travel around the Gibbon/Otter exhibit
- The Warty Pig habitat is much more natural, and looks really cool!
- The Gibbons will have an overhead trial that is right beside the Tiger habitat!

Overall, I'm really excited for this and it's shaping up to be a really good addition to the zoo!
 
OkapiFan said:
- Asia is a lot more themed than most areas of the zoo, and they are leaned heavily into the "ruined temple" theme.
- While this concept is very overused, I'm really liking the NC Zoos take on it! The rock work at the zoo is second to none, and the detailing from what the video showed was incredible!
Click to expand...
Ha, I still love the temple design at most zoos, it is one of my favorite cultural type immersions, both the Asian and central/south American are fun to me.

I noticed the host mentioned that the vulture habitat will be netted, so they will be able to fly which is fantastic.
 
Great share. Some things I noticed in the video.
  • They reference "Vulture Crane" at least twice in the video, and he says it as if it's one animal.
  • They mention that the primary construction will be completed by the end of September before they hand it off to the Zoo Team. I assume this is where they do all the detailing, landscaping, and foliage?
  • One thing I find interesting and somewhat underrated; with the Asia area being built on what looks like the highest point in the zoo, the video shows some potential for great views of the surrounding terrain and the Uwharrie mountains, especially in the winter. Look at 20:15, 27:20, and 29:27.
  • While I may not be the biggest fan of the "ruined temple" theme, I am confident that the NC Zoo will pull it off based on what I have already seen. I have no doubt the rockwork will be excellent as well; I am already liking what I see at 17:30.
  • Once Asia opens, I think they should bring back the Prairie Popcorn area being a tram station (as it had been in the past).
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top