Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium News 2020

Omaha never ceases to amaze me. The new Sea Lion Shores already looks it will be yet another incredible addition to this zoo. The attention to detail here is phenomenal, and there is plenty for theming present, buts its all nicely done and not at all overbearing. That underwater viewing area looks wonderful, and the addition of a specialized area for pups is a perfect example at the lengths Omaha is going to stay at the top of the zoo world. My tentative plan is - assuming that the zoo can be fully open again - to make the trip to Omaha shortly after the new exhibit opens to experience the zoo for the fist time.

I have already stated this before, but the zoo has had at least one major multi-million dollar complex every year for the past five years, meaning over $150 million in upgrades in just half a decade! I don't think any zoo on the planet has ever seen the rapid development of Omaha. The next major animal exhibit will likely be a new African Forest zone to replace the abandoned cat complex. I am unsure of what will be include as while the original plan called for okapi, bongos and red river hogs, bongos have already received a new enclosure in African Grasslands so I doubt they will be moved yet again. Plus there will also be an Alaskan zone to tie in the nearby Glacier Bay Landing plaza, the Alaskan Adventure Splash Park, and the upcoming Sea Lion Shores, all into one comprehensive area, plus the addition of polar bears, grizzly bears, lynx and sea otters. Incredible!

However, according to recent map the next immediate development won't be quite as major - not that it needs to be. Once the sea lion move to their new home later this Summer, the old sea lion pool and the nearby area will be turned into The Harper Event Center and Children’s Play Area, plus a new stingray interaction area and a relocated carousel. No breaks for Omaha.

https://assets.speakcdn.com/assets/2140/2020_ohdzoo_map_60120.pdf
 
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I would not be surprised if we did not see a slow down for any projects that are not already funded. The zoo (like all zoos and aquariums) took quite a hit financially during the closure due to COVID-19.
It has truly been amazing to watch the zoo transform. It was a great zoo before the last several years, but has gotten better with each new phase of the master plan.
I do wonder how they will proceed with the polar bear phase near the new sea lion exhibit with polar bears not being in a very sustainable breeding situation in US zoos currently. It is ironic, as Omaha had quite a prolific polar bear breeding program historically.
 
On July 10th, the zoo announced that it would bring back 'Late Night at the Zoo' for patrons 21 and older. The first night would be July 16th, and future dates include July 23rd, 30th, August 6th, 13th, and 20th.

Omaha zoo brings back 'Late Night at the Zoo' for guests 21 and older

On July 16th, it was announced that former COO Danny Morris has passed away on July 14th. He assisted in the zoo's growth, as well as the construction of the Lied Jungle, Desert Dome, Suzanne and Walter Scott Aquarium, and African Grasslands.

Henry Doorly Zoo announces former COO, long-time employee has died
 
So how much of this zoo is currently open, and how much is closed? The website lists what parts are open but doesn't say anything about closed areas. Is this zoo worth visiting in its current state?
 
birdsandbats said:
So how much of this zoo is currently open, and how much is closed? The website lists what parts are open but doesn't say anything about closed areas.
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Yes it does - if you go to Exhibits on their website and look at each individual exhibit it will tell you whether it's open or closed and what restrictions there might be.

Even if it didn't, though, couldn't you deduce what is closed based on what you know is open?

birdsandbats said:
Is this zoo worth visiting in its current state?
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Your call, isn't it? Most of the zoo is still open, but a few indoor areas are not - the most notable probably being Kingdoms of the Night. There are species lists for each area posted on the forum.
 
Received my invitation to Patron Exhibit Opening for Owen Sea Lion Shores! Will be going on September 3, 2020.

According the the July 2020 MMIR, they currently have 3.2.1 California Sea Lions:
Chino MALE California Sea Lion b. 15-Jul-04
Gemini FEMALE California Sea Lion b. 10-Jun-10
NOVA FEMALE California Sea Lion b. 5-Jun-16
Raiden MALE California Sea Lion b. 17-Jun-17
?? - UNKNOWN California Sea Lion b. 1-Oct-17
?? - MALE California Sea Lion b. 12-Jun-19
 
Dactyloa said:
According to the zoo’s Instagram, the sea lions have been relocated to their new exhibit: Login • Instagram. Interestingly, the Zoo is calling the region under development “Pacific Northwest”, which I believe is both new and a much better name than the vague label it was given in the master plan, “Coastal Shores”.
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I agree the name better fits. I am concerned and not surprised if this means that polar bears will not return to zoo, as I don't think of them as PNW animals. It would seem like it would be next to impossible to get polar bears back to Omaha given the limited number of bears in the US, but disappointing none the less if that is the case.
 
The concept for the area in the master plan only included sea lions and polar bears and was supposed to encompass a smaller footprint of the zoo’s campus than the guest amenities sections that have already been constructed currently do. Since then, brown bears, sea otters, and lynx have been added to the project to go with polar bears and sea lions. I assume this pivot is to compensate for the removal of the Andean Foothills region from the master plan (a shame) and for the potential lack of polar bears.
 
Dactyloa said:
The concept for the area in the master plan only included sea lions and polar bears and was supposed to encompass a smaller footprint of the zoo’s campus than the guest amenities sections that have already been constructed currently do. Since then, brown bears, sea otters, and lynx have been added to the project to go with polar bears and sea lions. I assume this pivot is to compensate for the removal of the Andean Foothills region from the master plan (a shame) and for the potential lack of polar bears.
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Do you have a link to the latest updates of master plan?
Side note, does the Lee Simmons Safari Park have a master plan? I have never seen one and have not seen one in the zoo's master plan either.
 
I was able to see the new Sea Lion Shores exhibit yesterday as opening weekend I was out at the San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park. It is probably the most impressive sea lion exhibit I have seen personally. My previous favorite was Sea Lion Sound at St. Louis, but this new one completely blew me away. The rock work and all the small details incorporated throughout was top notch.

I would also be curious if at some point the zoo brings over a bald eagle or two to place in one of the canyon areas around the edge. There is some signage and a faux eagle nest talking about eagles along the coastline, and near there is a space that I think would make for a cool eagle exhibit up in the cliffs. Add some netting to that area and some slight modifications to the vegetation and there you have it. (Granted, keeper access and what not would have to be explored as well, just wanted to lay out the basics).
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