Are these three rats still the only animals of the species in captivity?
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
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Gambian Pouched Rats are not uncommon in captivity, though their importation into the US is banned. They're routinely used as search animals for their keen sense of smell and intelligence.
Was or is the Point Defiance Zoo the only public holder of these rats? I have read articles about facilities in the Arabian Peninsula and Tanzania who breed them for tracking, but as you said, there is an import ban. I assumed that the zoo received a permit because there was a rather misleading post (to me anyway) from a couple of years ago that I read as stating that Point Defiance was the only holder.
San Diego and Indianapolis had them as recently as last year and may still - others have had them previously. They are typically used as animal ambassadors. Most often they are received as confiscations or occasionally as ones retired from working. They come and go rather readily usually as their lifespan is not particularly long, being a rodent.
They live longer than you'd think. 8 is typical, some have lived 10+ in captivity. It's one of the reasons this species was chosen for the work they do.
"Tacoma’s Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is taking initial steps in improving its polar bear habitat, which is anticipated to be home to new inhabitants next summer. The polar bear exhibit opened in 1982 as part of the zoo’s Rocky Shores/Arctic Tundra section. A bond issue approved by voters in 2014 included plans for an upgrade, among other capital-improvement projects. The zoo’s last surviving polar bear, Blizzard, died in May, and the polar bear habitat is currently closed.
Zoo officials recently submitted information to the city as part of the construction permitting process, offering more details about what’s to come for its home to polar bears. Pre-application plans filed in mid-October describe removing existing concrete surface in the exhibit and replacing with sand, along with adding a sun shade to be used in the warmer months, and adding an outdoor log structure and an exterior automatic watering station. The project cost is estimated at just under $395,000, according to the filing.
Whitney DalBalcon, marketing and communications manager for the zoo, told The News Tribune in response to questions via email, “We are working now with a local architectural firm on a design for short-term modifications to the polar bear habitat and expect to finalize the design by the end of the year. “Specifically, we will be replacing rock work with natural substrate and adding more shaded areas to the habitat.” Renderings were not available to share. “We have 50 percent design documents that we are still discussing internally,” she added.
The zoo representative noted, “The design plans will then need to be approved and permitted through the City of Tacoma.” After the work is finished, the zoo is set to “have polar bears in the habitat in summer 2023,” she wrote. Upgrades to the polar bear habitat was one of several projects funded by a $198 million bond issue approved by voters in 2014. Of that amount, more than $65 million was earmarked for capital improvements at the zoo."
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article267838927.html
So... this is an interesting development. Honestly I'm unsure whether they'll take in rescues or any younger polar bears in the country, but I'm honestly glad they're still going all in on polar bears.
Zoo officials recently submitted information to the city as part of the construction permitting process, offering more details about what’s to come for its home to polar bears. Pre-application plans filed in mid-October describe removing existing concrete surface in the exhibit and replacing with sand, along with adding a sun shade to be used in the warmer months, and adding an outdoor log structure and an exterior automatic watering station. The project cost is estimated at just under $395,000, according to the filing.
Whitney DalBalcon, marketing and communications manager for the zoo, told The News Tribune in response to questions via email, “We are working now with a local architectural firm on a design for short-term modifications to the polar bear habitat and expect to finalize the design by the end of the year. “Specifically, we will be replacing rock work with natural substrate and adding more shaded areas to the habitat.” Renderings were not available to share. “We have 50 percent design documents that we are still discussing internally,” she added.
The zoo representative noted, “The design plans will then need to be approved and permitted through the City of Tacoma.” After the work is finished, the zoo is set to “have polar bears in the habitat in summer 2023,” she wrote. Upgrades to the polar bear habitat was one of several projects funded by a $198 million bond issue approved by voters in 2014. Of that amount, more than $65 million was earmarked for capital improvements at the zoo."
https://www.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article267838927.html
So... this is an interesting development. Honestly I'm unsure whether they'll take in rescues or any younger polar bears in the country, but I'm honestly glad they're still going all in on polar bears.
Did not see that coming. No idea how they intend on obtaining additional polar bears, but it's certainly nice to hear a zoo getting back into the species instead of phasing them out permanently.
This is a bit of a surprise as sourcing Polar Bears for American zoos is extremely difficult these days. However, the 40 year-old exhibit is WAY TOO SMALL for such a large carnivore species and would never be approved in many countries of the world. There is no mention of expanding the enclosure and that is a disappointment. Also, the cost of around $400,000 won't go far in terms of upgrades. A brand-new exhibit would likely cost at least $20 million or more, which is probably why the old, crappy exhibit will be renovated and not bulldozed.
I mean, at least it'll have natural substrate? And if they're just gonna be a holder of polar bears rather than a full-on breeder...
I've visited Point Defiance Zoo on 11 occasions and the Polar Bear exhibit was woefully inadequate on my first visit many moons ago.
There are lots of photos in the gallery that show a pool that is a decent size, and with underwater viewing, but the land area is something less than mediocre. I was expecting the zoo to have a major expansion of the habitat and so spending $395,000 on sand and a log structure isn't going to be a long-term solution.I know Maryland would likely be one of the zoos you're talking about, but what other former holders are you talking about that have better exhibits?
The zoo plans on exhibiting polar bears again by summer 2023, and will upgrade the exhibit in the meantime.
Polar bear habitat at Tacoma zoo is set for changes. And beyond that, new polar bears
Polar bear habitat at Tacoma zoo is set for changes. And beyond that, new polar bears
On November 4th, it was announced that a (0.1) red wolf was transferred to the Great Plains Zoo in South Dakota.
Two walruses named Lakina and Balzac have arrived from Aquarium du Quebec. They will be on exhibit tomorrow.
Point Defiance Zoo has walrus again!
https://twitter.com/PtDefianceZoo/status/1593306748802121729?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
https://twitter.com/PtDefianceZoo/status/1593306748802121729?ref_src=twsrc^google|twcamp^serp|twgr^tweet
On November 21st, it was announced that a (1.0) Virginia opossum named Dodger was transferred to the Woodland Park Zoo in Washington.
Charcuterie cutie | Charcuterie cutie! Dodger the 5-month-old opossum takes his charcuterie with meal worms, eggs and plenty of sprinkles, thank you. The adorable gastronome... | By Woodland Park Zoo | Facebook
Charcuterie cutie | Charcuterie cutie! Dodger the 5-month-old opossum takes his charcuterie with meal worms, eggs and plenty of sprinkles, thank you. The adorable gastronome... | By Woodland Park Zoo | Facebook
On December 1st, it was announced that the zoo will transfer a (0.1) red wolf to the Miller Park Zoo Illinois in the near future.
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Northwest_FIsh_Keeping
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According to the Zoo's website, the opening for the Renovated South Pacific Aquarium has been pushed back from 2023, to Spring 2024. No reason I could find as to why.
South Pacific Aquarium at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium (pdza.org)
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping
Well-Known Member
As of today, both Lakina and Balzac are actually off display. Signs and barriers say "Thank you for giving them their space as they get used to their new home". Which is kind of odd since they're not actually in their home. I'm guessing they could be getting training somewhere else? But as of right now, the Underwater Viewing portion has fences around it, and you can only access the Underwater Viewing by taking the elevator since the stairs are closed too for the Walrus.
I couldn't see into the Polar Bear habitat to see if they've started renovations, although the fence does say the same thing that they'll have Bears back in Summer 2023. Do they already have a deal worked out with another Zoo? That's interesting the date is pretty close
