Philadelphia Zoo Philadelphia Zoo News 2020

[red river hog]

Found some cool concept art for the zoo's master plan:View attachment 462464

First of all: WOW, thanks for sharing that!
Second of all: Looking at the map of the zoo's old master plan (if they're still following that plan), the building in the back is KidZooU. You can also see Big Cat Falls back there. The main building is PECO Primate Reserve. The two netted yards closest to PECO would be for gorillas(?). The habitats in the foreground must be Bear Country. The netted yard will be in the foreground will also be accessible by big cats (which is why there's a cat in it). On the far left it looks like Bird Lake and on the far right is flex space where Bird Valley is now. The flex space there is accessible to zebras, rhino, and elephants.

 

[red river hog]

Although, this is going where the elephants would have been. Party Animals: Zoo gets preliminary OK for huge new restaurant and event space - WHYY

 

[StoppableSan]

Although, this is going where the elephants would have been. Party Animals: Zoo gets preliminary OK for huge new restaurant and event space - WHYY

This came about, but as a row of food trucks/open plaza called the Urban Green. Last I checked, the zoo has every intention of bringing elephants back but doesn't have the capital or the space, at least without heavily modifying the southern end of the campus. My hope is that if and when the zoo does decide to bring elephants back, the concept of a Large Mammal Trail for Zoo360 gets kicked into gear, with long, linear fenced pathways that can be utilized by every large animal on the zoo's campus, from gazelles to rhinos to zebras to giraffes to elephants. I hope that the zoo pulls a Taronga in terms of a creative reuse of the space (perhaps an "upper" and a "lower" paddock), and pulls a San Diego as well in terms of being a world class home for geriatric elephants.

 

[red river hog]

This came about, but as a row of food trucks/open plaza called the Urban Green. Last I checked, the zoo has every intention of bringing elephants back but doesn't have the capital or the space, at least without heavily modifying the southern end of the campus. My hope is that if and when the zoo does decide to bring elephants back, the concept of a Large Mammal Trail for Zoo360 gets kicked into gear, with long, linear fenced pathways that can be utilized by every large animal on the zoo's campus, from gazelles to rhinos to zebras to giraffes to elephants. I hope that the zoo pulls a Taronga in terms of a creative reuse of the space (perhaps an "upper" and a "lower" paddock), and pulls a San Diego as well in terms of being a world class home for geriatric elephants.

That makes more sense. Having 2 restaurants (not including the beer garden and snack bar) right next to each other would be way overkill. The plan shows them having 3 connected habitats taking up the whole beer garden and picnic grove area, as well as access to every single African Plains habitat except hippos AND a trail going all the way behind The Urban Green and Big Cat Falls, over the path, and into one long habitat where Bird Valley is.

 

[Kevin2342]

From watching Philly Zoo at 2, the exhibit in the Reptile house where the African bullfrog lived is covered up. I didn’t see the frog in March but the exhibit was not covered. Does anyone know what happened to the African bullfrog? Also, the cottonmouth is in the exhibit where the East African gaboon viper lived before he moved out. Also, I heard the zoo is planning to bring back copperhead.

 

[red river hog]

I visited today so here are some updates.
- The squirrel monkey exhibit in the Rare Animal Conservation Center is still undergoing renovations
- I haven't seen any Jaguars in my past two visits (my last was in October) Their exhibit was occupied by a Leopard both times. If anyone has seen them let me know.
- I noticed that all the Canada Geese in and around Bird Lake have bands around their ankles, so thats mean that they aren't wild, right?
- I finally saw a Maned Wolf
- I wasn't sure if they still had any, but today I did see a Saddle-billed Stork
- Both Trumpeter Swans were on-exhibit today, so it's nice to know that they're okay
- Does anyone know if they still have Crested Screamers, because I haven't seen them for a long time.

 

[TinoPup]

I visited today so here are some updates.
- The squirrel monkey exhibit in the Rare Animal Conservation Center is still undergoing renovations
- I haven't seen any Jaguars in my past two visits (my last was in October) Their exhibit was occupied by a Leopard both times. If anyone has seen them let me know.
- I noticed that all the Canada Geese in and around Bird Lake have bands around their ankles, so thats mean that they aren't wild, right?
- I finally saw a Maned Wolf
- I wasn't sure if they still had any, but today I did see a Saddle-billed Stork
- Both Trumpeter Swans were on-exhibit today, so it's nice to know that they're okay
- Does anyone know if they still have Crested Screamers, because I haven't seen them for a long time.

I saw the screamers on my last visit in late 2019. Haven't visited this year.

 

[red river hog]

I saw the screamers on my last visit in late 2019. Haven't visited this year.

Yeah I think I saw them in 2018 or 19 when I went, but I haven't seen any in 2020.

 

[red river hog]

The zoo received a new male Galapagos Tortoise, Abrazzo. He came from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and will hopefully breed with Mommy, the female.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

The zoo received a new male Galapagos Tortoise, Abrazzo. He came from Riverbanks Zoo and Garden and will hopefully breed with Mommy, the female.

I am so happy now for the West Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise Chelonoidis porteri (to be more specific on species).

It has been an acquisition long on the waiting to happen list. Unexpected in this is that the male Abrazzo now moved from Columbia was actually their breeding male. It means Riverbanks Zoo now may intend to breed with the other subordinate male Bravo (???).

BTW: Philadelphia Zoo actually has 2 female West Santa Cruz Chelonoidis porteri, Mommy and Little Girl. So, the new male will have 2 females to mate and breed with!

Do you have a source feature for the news or not?

 

[ZPA]

I am so happy now for the West Santa Cruz Galapagos tortoise Chelonoidis porteri (to be more specific on species).

It has been an acquisition long on the waiting to happen list. Unexpected in this is that the male Abrazzo now moved from Columbia was actually their breeding male. It means Riverbanks Zoo now may intend to breed with the other subordinate male Bravo (???).

BTW: Philadelphia Zoo actually has 2 female West Santa Cruz Chelonoidis porteri, Mommy and Little Girl. So, the new male will have 2 females to mate and breed with!

Do you have a source feature for the news or not?

There's a video about Abrazzo moving into the zoo.

 

[CarLover]

The Victoria crowned pigeons have had a chick. The flamingo chick is also back on exhibit after having its leg treated. Also, Thursday is the Zoo-Thon to raise funds for the zoo. 2020 was the worst year ever in zoo history.

 

[CarLover]

Breaking news, Philadelphia has just announced new Coronavirus restrictions due to the uptick in cases. Starting this Friday to January 1, 2021, all indoor gatherings are closed, and all museums, theaters, and gyms are closed. The zoo might have to close again soon. No word on whether it is or not, but the indoor exhibits that have been opened will have to close again.

 

[red river hog]

Breaking news, Philadelphia has just announced new Coronavirus restrictions due to the uptick in cases. Starting this Friday to January 1, 2021, all indoor gatherings are closed, and all museums, theaters, and gyms are closed. The zoo might have to close again soon. No word on whether it is or not, but the indoor exhibits that have been opened will have to close again.

Arghhh. That's annoying.

 

[Jambo]

The Philadelphia Zoo hopes to pair their 95 year old female Galapagos Tortoise, Mommy, with another male in the hopes of breeding them in the near future.

95-year-old tortoise at Philadelphia Zoo to be paired with mate

 

[TinoPup]

The zoo will be doing a dinosaur thing in the spring, titled "Life in an Endangerous Age". It will feature 24 life-size animals from 66 million years ago. No end date is given.
I'm not looking forward to it.

 

[ZPA]

The zoo will be doing a dinosaur thing in the spring, titled "Life in an Endangerous Age". It will feature 24 life-size animals from 66 million years ago. No end date is given.
I'm not looking forward to it.

Where did you find this out? I don't see anything about it on their website.

 

[TinoPup]

Where did you find this out? I don't see anything about it on their website.

E-mail about their sale on membership renewal. Here's the exact wording:

"Coming in Spring 2021
BIG TIME: Life in an Endangerous Age
Travel back in time 66 million years ago for our newest experience, BIG TIME and journey to an age when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Encounter twenty-four life-size creatures and learn about these amazing prehistoric giants, the rise of humans and our impact on wildlife and the planet!

All Philadelphia Zoo members enjoy "big time" savings on our newest prehistoric experience."

 

[red river hog]

The zoo will be doing a dinosaur thing in the spring, titled "Life in an Endangerous Age". It will feature 24 life-size animals from 66 million years ago. No end date is given.
I'm not looking forward to it.

I wish they would do some thing else . . . even Legos.


I just think this doesn't have a good educational message and there could be so many other similar things that they could have that do.

 

[TinoPup]

I wish they would do some thing else . . . even Legos.

They did legos last year The title would have been a good one for something about the current extinction we're facing.