The plans show the new bear exhibit in the existing flamingo exhibit and also says flamingos are to be relocated.
Philadelphia Zoo Philadelphia Zoo News 2024
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The plans show the new bear exhibit in the existing flamingo exhibit and also says flamingos are to be relocated.
Nile Hippo Expert
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The infant is a boy and has been named “Jambi”.
That's the name of a province in Indonesia on Sumatra. An appropriate name for an orangutan.
Nile Hippo Expert
Well-Known Member
Does the zoo still plan to breed their gorillas? It has been eight years since their last baby, and I also want to know if the zoo plans to keep Amani because she is getting close to the breeding age and they obviously don't want her breeding her dad.
Piece of May/June 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On May 15th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) Geoffroy's marmoset from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3-Zoo-Commission-Animal-Report-5.21.2024.pdf
On June 3rd, it was mentioned that a (0.1) black-and-rufous elephant shrew to the Bronx Zoo in New York.*
* Information given by @Bengal Tiger in the Bronx Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 6 Post #112).
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On September 3rd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) red-tailed monkey named Khari was born on August 8th which is on exhibit.
Philadelphia Zoo
On May 15th, it was announced that the zoo acquired a (0.1) Geoffroy's marmoset from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.
https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/3-Zoo-Commission-Animal-Report-5.21.2024.pdf
On June 3rd, it was mentioned that a (0.1) black-and-rufous elephant shrew to the Bronx Zoo in New York.*
* Information given by @Bengal Tiger in the Bronx Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 6 Post #112).
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On September 3rd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) red-tailed monkey named Khari was born on August 8th which is on exhibit.
Philadelphia Zoo
On September 13th, the zoo officially announced they acquired 2+? dwarf crocodiles which are on exhibit (they have been on display since at least April).
Philadelphia Zoo
Antimony96
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Anyone know anything about the ongoing renovations to the Reptile & Amphibian House?
Any further information whether these are Osteolaemus terraspis or the O. afzelii (species novum) or hybrids (thereof)?
Bear Country opens in 2026 and the zoo has unveiled some new information on the exhibit.
Bear Country Coming Soon
Facebook post:
MAJOR ANNOUCEMENT ALERT
Welcome to the all new and transformed Bear Country—projected to open in Spring 2026. This major transformation will see many notable additions and changes that will create an awe-inspiring guest experience, allow us to continue to provide the highest standard of care for our bear species, as well as increased opportunities for our educational and community-based programs!
Guests can expect some of these highlights:
Addition of a third habitat, to expand space and support our breeding program
A new, overhead Zoo360 trail, allowing the bears to rotate exhibits + great views for guests!
Areas for guests to watch training sessions with keepers
Special glass viewing areas to get up close to your favorite bear
Much, much more!
This project was made possible by a milestone $5 million gift from the W. P. Carey Foundation, a family with roots in the Philadelphia area and a history of charitable giving in the region. In addition, the overall $20 million effort is being graciously supported by the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, William Penn Foundation, donors, and continued fundraising. This projected is expected to break ground in early 2025, and we can't wait to keep you updated on its progress. Stay tuned!
Bear Country Coming Soon
Facebook post:
Welcome to the all new and transformed Bear Country—projected to open in Spring 2026. This major transformation will see many notable additions and changes that will create an awe-inspiring guest experience, allow us to continue to provide the highest standard of care for our bear species, as well as increased opportunities for our educational and community-based programs!
Guests can expect some of these highlights:
This project was made possible by a milestone $5 million gift from the W. P. Carey Foundation, a family with roots in the Philadelphia area and a history of charitable giving in the region. In addition, the overall $20 million effort is being graciously supported by the City of Philadelphia, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, William Penn Foundation, donors, and continued fundraising. This projected is expected to break ground in early 2025, and we can't wait to keep you updated on its progress. Stay tuned!
Although Sloth bears are confirmed, Andean may or may not return. This is a response I got from the zoo:
“Our sloth bears, Bhalu and Kayla, will be moved to another AZA institution during construction but are expected to return. Our Andean bear, Sinchi, has been paired with another female at a different zoo on a breeding recommendation and will not be returning. Look out for future announcements regarding which bear species we plan to house!”
“Our sloth bears, Bhalu and Kayla, will be moved to another AZA institution during construction but are expected to return. Our Andean bear, Sinchi, has been paired with another female at a different zoo on a breeding recommendation and will not be returning. Look out for future announcements regarding which bear species we plan to house!”
Very interesting that the concept art continues to depict Sun Bears, which the zoo does not have. But now that there is a possibility that Andean Bears won't return, I wonder if Sun Bears might indeed be on the table?
The proposal does highlight both sloth and Andean bears, so realistically I'd think Philly'd look for another Andean bear post-Sinchi. As for sun bears, if Brookfield's repeatedly mentioned them in their master plan... I ain't holding my breath, but it would be really cool if they got sun bears in addition to the sloth and Andean bears. Realistically, it's gonna be another rotational space, presumably for breeding one or the other species.
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Not to be the pessimist, but neither concept art nor master plan drafts are good indications of what species will actually show up. Concept art for new exhibits is frequently generic, and rough drafts of master plans will often throw in species that are infeasible or impractical to acquire.
If Philly does acquire Sun Bear, it will probably be an older bear from a zoo that is trying to phase the species out - and therefore will probably be a more short-term holding. The fact that two zoos have made soft indications of maybe acquiring Sun Bears in no way indicates a different future for that species in US zoos. They are on their way out, with no breeding or imports in a decade. Sloth and Andean are the designated breeding species.
If Philly does acquire Sun Bear, it will probably be an older bear from a zoo that is trying to phase the species out - and therefore will probably be a more short-term holding. The fact that two zoos have made soft indications of maybe acquiring Sun Bears in no way indicates a different future for that species in US zoos. They are on their way out, with no breeding or imports in a decade. Sloth and Andean are the designated breeding species.
Antimony96
Well-Known Member
The concept art seems to primarily use American black bears as placeholders, with a few sloth/sun/Andean bears also sprinkled in. My assumption is that they're still working out exact plans other than that Bhalu and Kayla will be returning.
Piece of September 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
On September 28th, it was mentioned that the zoo acquired a (1.0) mantled guereza from The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore in Maryland*.
* Information given by @Kevin2342 on The Maryland Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 4 Post #67).
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On November 11th, the zoo announced that they acquired an axolotl named Maxolotl which is now on display in the Reptile & Amphibian House.
1.2K views · 72 reactions | The reveal you've all been waiting for...Meet Maxolotl the axolotl!! Unlike most amphibians, axolotls remain aquatic their entire lives and can only be... | By Philadelphia Zoo | Facebook
On September 28th, it was mentioned that the zoo acquired a (1.0) mantled guereza from The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore in Maryland*.
* Information given by @Kevin2342 on The Maryland Zoo News 2024 thread (Page 4 Post #67).
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On November 11th, the zoo announced that they acquired an axolotl named Maxolotl which is now on display in the Reptile & Amphibian House.
1.2K views · 72 reactions | The reveal you've all been waiting for...Meet Maxolotl the axolotl!! Unlike most amphibians, axolotls remain aquatic their entire lives and can only be... | By Philadelphia Zoo | Facebook
Recently visited the Philly Zoo and it looks like lots of changes are happening. The former alligator and Nile croc exhibits are renovated and they look like they’ll still be for aquatics, but it looks like they’ll be geared for smaller species, I guess this unfortunately means no more large crocodilians.
The large aviary that formerly held condors and recently vultures is being deconstructed to make a walk through exhibit for the flamingos, which will make room for the bear expansion, will be interesting to see how the flamingo walk through will be constructed.
The indoor gorilla habitat and black and white colobus monkey exhibits were both curtained off with a sign that the gorilla habitat was being updated and the colobus monkey exhibit was awaiting new residents.
Also, a small but kind of cool addition is a dung beetle exhibit in the kids zoo, with a sign letting people know what kind of animal dung was currently in the exhibit, it was giraffe and zebra the day I was there.
Looks like a lot of changes for the good, just a bummer that it looks like they won’t be housing large crocodilians anymore .
The large aviary that formerly held condors and recently vultures is being deconstructed to make a walk through exhibit for the flamingos, which will make room for the bear expansion, will be interesting to see how the flamingo walk through will be constructed.
The indoor gorilla habitat and black and white colobus monkey exhibits were both curtained off with a sign that the gorilla habitat was being updated and the colobus monkey exhibit was awaiting new residents.
Also, a small but kind of cool addition is a dung beetle exhibit in the kids zoo, with a sign letting people know what kind of animal dung was currently in the exhibit, it was giraffe and zebra the day I was there.
Looks like a lot of changes for the good, just a bummer that it looks like they won’t be housing large crocodilians anymore .
MOG2012
Well-Known Member
I think it’s black dung beetles (Copris minutus) but I haven’t gone yet
My friend who works at the zoo told me they think the dung beetles might be hybrids. She also told me the current flamingo yards are going to be part of the new bear exhibit opening up in the future.
On December 1st, the zoo announced they were raising funds to build a new walk-through mesh exhibit for their flamingos to combat avian influenza, which they have since raised $60,000 (the original goal was $20K).
Philadelphia Zoo
https://give.phillyzoo.org/campaign/giving-zooday-2024/c642836
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