Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium News 2022
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Not just an update on Lolly’s pregnancy but also an announcement: Jayei is also pregnant and due in August 2023. Callee is an amazing breeding bull, good for Omaha.
Mr.Ivory
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And at this rate it won't be long before they announce that her daughter Omma is also pregant
Yes, I’m sure Omma will fall pregnant very soon if she hasn’t already. Omaha is becoming the new SDZSP in terms of African elephant breeding… I just hope they don’t completely halt breeding, like SDZSP has, in a decade from now when Eugenia and any other female calves reach breeding age.
Other 2022 News:
On February 2nd, the zoo announced they had acquired a (0.1) groundhog named Bee after she was found abandoned in a nest by wildlife rehabilitators and grew accustomed to humans. She will be one of the zoo's ambassadors' animals.
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On May 27th, the zoo announced they have transferred 1,500 Puerto Rican crested toads to Puerto Rica to be released back into the wild.
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On June 22nd, the zoo announced they have recently joined the Giraffe Plasma Bank with several other facilities.
Our Zoo recently... - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | By Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | Our Zoo recently joined the Giraffe Plasma Bank with the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio....
On June 28th, the zoo announced that their spider monkeys are back on Lagoon Island after being moved off exhibit due to avian influenza. The zoo also announced they have added new enrichment structures to some of the islands.
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On July 1st, the zoo announced they have transferred 8,512 Wyoming toads tadpoles to be released into the wild on June 28th.
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On February 2nd, the zoo announced they had acquired a (0.1) groundhog named Bee after she was found abandoned in a nest by wildlife rehabilitators and grew accustomed to humans. She will be one of the zoo's ambassadors' animals.
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On May 27th, the zoo announced they have transferred 1,500 Puerto Rican crested toads to Puerto Rica to be released back into the wild.
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On June 22nd, the zoo announced they have recently joined the Giraffe Plasma Bank with several other facilities.
Our Zoo recently... - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | By Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium | Our Zoo recently joined the Giraffe Plasma Bank with the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio....
On June 28th, the zoo announced that their spider monkeys are back on Lagoon Island after being moved off exhibit due to avian influenza. The zoo also announced they have added new enrichment structures to some of the islands.
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On July 1st, the zoo announced they have transferred 8,512 Wyoming toads tadpoles to be released into the wild on June 28th.
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On August 3rd, the zoo announced that they have transferred (0.0.78) mountain yellow-legged frogs to California to be released back into the wild.
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On August 11th, the zoo announced that Luis Padilla, formerly the vice president of animal collections for the Saint Louis Zoo in Missouri, will be the next president and CEO of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium. His first day will be November 14th.
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I'm quite excited to hear that Pate's replacement is an animal person and not a business/entertainment/hospitality minded person that some zoos are going to these days. My fear is that the new person comes in and completely downsizes the collection and focuses less on maintaining a diverse array of species. This certainly fills me with optimism.
Here is the announcement on the zoo's website that provides a little more dialogue than the Facebook post.
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Announces New President and CEO
Most notably these two quotes stand out:
(Mogens) Bay (Chairman of the Board) continued, “Our challenge was to find someone who could build on the legacy of Dennis Pate. We are confident that Dr. Padilla is that person. He was chosen after an extensive and thorough process by the search committee and is the next right leader for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.” Bay said, “Dr. Padilla is a Mission-driven leader who values collaboration, innovation, staff development, resiliency and wildlife conservation. His background as a veterinarian ensures that the highest quality of care for Omaha’s animals and their habitats will remain a top priority and commitment.”
Dr. Padilla added, “I, like everyone in the zoo community, am familiar with the stellar reputation of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the revolutionary projects Dennis Pate has completed.” He continued, “I am looking forward to working with Dennis on a smooth leadership transition and building on his legacy.”
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Announces New President and CEO
Most notably these two quotes stand out:
(Mogens) Bay (Chairman of the Board) continued, “Our challenge was to find someone who could build on the legacy of Dennis Pate. We are confident that Dr. Padilla is that person. He was chosen after an extensive and thorough process by the search committee and is the next right leader for Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium.” Bay said, “Dr. Padilla is a Mission-driven leader who values collaboration, innovation, staff development, resiliency and wildlife conservation. His background as a veterinarian ensures that the highest quality of care for Omaha’s animals and their habitats will remain a top priority and commitment.”
Dr. Padilla added, “I, like everyone in the zoo community, am familiar with the stellar reputation of Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and the revolutionary projects Dennis Pate has completed.” He continued, “I am looking forward to working with Dennis on a smooth leadership transition and building on his legacy.”
Would it be more likely for Callee to move before that?
Visited last night for Late Night at the Zoo and noticed two new additions in the areas that we went through:
- There are now some lobster looking crustaceans in the shark tunnel tank in the Scott Aquarium. They were hanging out in the side cave that you can see into from the Jellyfish area. This is the first time I've ever seen any form of crustacean in this tank. I will see if I can get a picture when I visit during the day in two weeks for identification purposes. (Edit - It looks like a Southern Rock Lobster)
- There are now Eastern Hellbenders in the Mexican Blind Cave Fish tank in the wet bat cave in Kingdoms of the Night.
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So no more Lake Titicaca frogs?
They are still there. In the tank next to the Hellbenders. Those two tanks are separated even though they look like they are combined.
Eugenia's not even one yet, so they could still afford to keep Callee for another decade or so.
I don't believe they'd send Callee away earlier anyway; he's a proven, successful breeder and there's no need for transfer in the meantime.
The elevator by Orangutan Forest closed just after Labor Day Weekend and the map has been updated to reflect the area is under construction.
There has been no official announcement yet from the zoo on what is going on in this area. Hopefully that comes out in the near future.
When you look at the exhibits section on the website, this wording now appears on the Orangutan Forest page:
There has been no official announcement yet from the zoo on what is going on in this area. Hopefully that comes out in the near future.
When you look at the exhibits section on the website, this wording now appears on the Orangutan Forest page:
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I do wonder what has taken them so long to finish the renovations in Orangutan Forest. It feels like forever since it's been open!
The AZA awarded the zoo for Significant Achievement in Exhibit Design for the Owen Sea Lions Shore, announced in the AZA press release section today 
On September 20th, the zoo announced that (0.0.4) Baer's pochards hatched in August, marking the first time the facility has successfully bred the species. They are on exhibit in the Lied Jungle.
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Quick visit 9/23/2022:
-On the train, guide said gorilla exhibit closed for renovations, and should open in 2 years. I suspect they meant orangutan exhibit, but not sure. And the 2 years seems excessive. Didn’t have time to walk over and see if gorilla exhibit was actually closed or not. Website doesn’t say gorilla is closed.
-Sable Antelope herd seems to diminish every visit. Only 2 individuals out of exhibit. Omaha used to have a quite prolific herd. Not sure what happened or what the plan is, but seems to get smaller all the time.
-On the train, guide said gorilla exhibit closed for renovations, and should open in 2 years. I suspect they meant orangutan exhibit, but not sure. And the 2 years seems excessive. Didn’t have time to walk over and see if gorilla exhibit was actually closed or not. Website doesn’t say gorilla is closed.
-Sable Antelope herd seems to diminish every visit. Only 2 individuals out of exhibit. Omaha used to have a quite prolific herd. Not sure what happened or what the plan is, but seems to get smaller all the time.
They were almost certainly talking about the orangutans. The gorilla exhibit just reopened after an extensive renovation last year and the orangutan building just closed in preparation for enhancements. Strange the zoo hasn’t officially announced what’s happening here, although with the change in leadership perhaps the zoo will hold off until the new Director is onboarded.
Indeed it’s a shame their herd has gotten so small. Even when African Grasslands first opened there were at least a half dozen and has somehow dwindled down to just two overtime.
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