Riverbanks Zoo and Garden Riverbanks Zoo News

A few post-visit notes:
  • The new titis have some even newer neighbors in a pair of Geoffroy’s marmosets. This marks the first time in several years that the number of inhabitant species in the Conservation Outpost actually matches the number of enclosures!
  • Tammar wallabies were on display in the kangaroo walkabout. I’d seen posts on here saying that the zoo kept this species, but I’d never actually seen them on display. Did they go out of them for a few years and recently get new ones, maybe? Both times I passed by I heard the employee on duty specifically inform people that there were two species of wallaby in the walkabout, which I’d never heard them do before either.
  • Construction seems to be well underway for the new Komodo dragon exhibit.
  • I skipped the ARC on this visit, and immediately kicked myself after leaving because I forgot that the octopus is finally here. Whoops.
 
biggest_dreamer said:
A few post-visit notes:
  • Tammar wallabies were on display in the kangaroo walkabout. I’d seen posts on here saying that the zoo kept this species, but I’d never actually seen them on display. Did they go out of them for a few years and recently get new ones, maybe? Both times I passed by I heard the employee on duty specifically inform people that there were two species of wallaby in the walkabout, which I’d never heard them do before either.
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Tammar Wallabies were neither present or even signed during my May 2023 visit. I never heard any keepers mention them either (and I didn't ask as I wouldn't have been aware). Consequently, they were left off my species list. So this change must have been recent?
 
biggest_dreamer said:
A few post-visit notes:
  • The new titis have some even newer neighbors in a pair of Geoffroy’s marmosets. This marks the first time in several years that the number of inhabitant species in the Conservation Outpost actually matches the number of enclosures!
  • Tammar wallabies were on display in the kangaroo walkabout. I’d seen posts on here saying that the zoo kept this species, but I’d never actually seen them on display. Did they go out of them for a few years and recently get new ones, maybe? Both times I passed by I heard the employee on duty specifically inform people that there were two species of wallaby in the walkabout, which I’d never heard them do before either.
  • Construction seems to be well underway for the new Komodo dragon exhibit.
  • I skipped the ARC on this visit, and immediately kicked myself after leaving because I forgot that the octopus is finally here. Whoops.
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I dont think the zoo ever had Geoffroy's Marmoset although I could be wrong. Long gone are the days it held Pumas and Jaguars though.
 
Other Late 2023 News:

On October 24th, the zoo announced that they released a (0.0.1) green sea turtle named Destiny into the wild.

Aquarists recently traveled to the South Carolina coast to release Destiny the green sea turtle. Two years ago, the tiny hatchling came to Riverbanks in... | By Riverbanks Zoo and Garden | Facebook
Smaggledagle said:
On July 4th, the zoo announced that (0.0.4) southern rockhopper penguins hatched and will be on exhibit in mid-August.

Riverbanks is proud to... - Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
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On September 6th, the zoo announced the penguins were named Fig, Jane B., Phae, and Quartz and that they are on exhibit.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

On September 9th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) neon day gecko hatched, marking the first time that the facility has successfully bred the species.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

On October 4th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) harbor seal named Piper passed away.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden

snowleopard said:
Hot on the heels of the $10 million renovation of the Aquarium & Reptile Center, Riverbanks Zoo has an ambitious new project, called Bridge to the Wild which has been in the works since 2019. There will be a Primate Forest, offering views of orangutans and other primates, a South Carolina Nature Preserve with Black Bears, Red Wolves and Bald Eagles, "enhanced" Lion and Tiger exhibits, and an expansion of a visitor plaza:

Bridge to the Wild :: Riverbanks Zoo & Garden

The zoo is pushing to get an $80 million bond proposal passed to help pay for all the future additions/improvements. The bond, which would have raised property taxes in the surrounding neighbourhoods, was defeated in 2022 but the zoo is trying again! Riverbanks Zoo is an enormously popular attraction and 500 jobs will be created if the bond is approved later this year.
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On December 13th, it was reported that the Richland County Council voted to move forward with the $80 million bond proposal.

Richland County greenlights $80M bond for Riverbanks Zoo upgrades

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On January 21st, 2024, the zoo announced that a (0.1) koala named Charlotte passed away due to complications from a respiratory infection.

Riverbanks Zoo and Garden
 
I am glad the 2nd County Council has now voted in favour of the bond proposal. The zoo can now move forward with its renovation plans and build some new attractions and exhibits.
 
MauricedieDeutschen said:
Anyone else thinks they should get more birds as well? More large mammal and even small mammals exhibits and perhaps more bird exhibits as well.
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The bird curator would certainly agree, we were talking this afternoon.
But before new species I'd love to see the hideous Conservation Outpost area bulldozed and the current species relocated to more suitable habitats. Plus lion grottoes etc. I first visited in 1987 and thought these areas were sad. They're still sad. Let's stick howler monkeys in a shoe box?
The zoo has SO MUCH potential, a great site, a good climate for non-hardy animals and hopefully the new team at the top can move things forward. So pleased they might get some good funding.
 
Torgos said:
The bird curator would certainly agree, we were talking this afternoon.
But before new species I'd love to see the hideous Conservation Outpost area bulldozed and the current species relocated to more suitable habitats. Plus lion grottoes etc. I first visited in 1987 and thought these areas were sad. They're still sad. Let's stick howler monkeys in a shoe box?
The zoo has SO MUCH potential, a great site, a good climate for non-hardy animals and hopefully the new team at the top can move things forward. So pleased they might get some good funding.
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What else did the bird keeper discuss? Also what do you recall from 1987? Specifically from the conservation outpost? I believe this was after the leopards were moved out.
 
I know the curator as a friend, our discussion was not relevant to this Zoochat thread (United States Department of Agriculture inspections) but most bird curators would be delighted to know that someone thought their zoo needed more birds!
What else do I remember back in the 80's? Conservation Outpost was very themed which was progressive, lots of artifacts, a "ranger station", discussion of research, fake clipboards showing fake research observations etc. But the spaces were and still are very small. Given Columbia's geographical location why lock your animals into very small indoor spaces when they can be outdoors for 350 days a year? A cold winter day in Columbia is 45 degrees (7c), build to allow animals outside access while allowing them to come indoors when they are chilly. Some southern zoos weRe already doing this.
Oh yes, and they were breeding Renauld's ground cuckoos off exhibit. What stunning birds. The former bird house was the most radical piece of design in the zoo, definitely a centerpiece. The cat grottos were ridiculously small, and the tiny separate primate exhibits in the far corners of lion exhibit were awful. The elephant space was poor. The outdoor siamang exhibit was tragically small and still is despite combining the two siamang exhibits into one. They bred a bunch of Chilean flamingos each year. They had an entire waterfowl area. It was ahead of its time. But that is history. It was and still is a really good zoo to visit, most of the bad stuff is long gone, don't miss it on a tour of zoos in the American South.
 
Torgos said:
I know the curator as a friend, our discussion was not relevant to this Zoochat thread (United States Department of Agriculture inspections) but most bird curators would be delighted to know that someone thought their zoo needed more birds!
What else do I remember back in the 80's? Conservation Outpost was very themed which was progressive, lots of artifacts, a "ranger station", discussion of research, fake clipboards showing fake research observations etc. But the spaces were and still are very small. Given Columbia's geographical location why lock your animals into very small indoor spaces when they can be outdoors for 350 days a year? A cold winter day in Columbia is 45 degrees (7c), build to allow animals outside access while allowing them to come indoors when they are chilly. Some southern zoos weRe already doing this.
Oh yes, and they were breeding Renauld's ground cuckoos off exhibit. What stunning birds. The former bird house was the most radical piece of design in the zoo, definitely a centerpiece. The cat grottos were ridiculously small, and the tiny separate primate exhibits in the far corners of lion exhibit were awful. The elephant space was poor. The outdoor siamang exhibit was tragically small and still is despite combining the two siamang exhibits into one. They bred a bunch of Chilean flamingos each year. They had an entire waterfowl area. It was ahead of its time. But that is history. It was and still is a really good zoo to visit, most of the bad stuff is long gone, don't miss it on a tour of zoos in the American South.
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I remember most of this. Sad the old birdhouse is gone that was a favorite of mine. The Rain Forest I remember on opening day had Schalow's Turaco, Bare Throated Bellbird nd Nicobar Pigeon.
 
wild boar said:
I don't believe this species is held anywhere else in the country, and if they are, only at a few places, so they're a very welcome addition.
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I'm certain they don't have bellbirds, the only white species in birdhouse is Bali mynah. Lovely of course
 
MauricedieDeutschen said:
They had one Plush Crested Jay and two Bellbirds in the same area last time I was there. Tamarins are now in the larger South Ameircan Aviary. They were sectioned off.
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Sorry, I'm thinking you mean another zoo. Riverbanks don't have plush crested jays or bell birds, and they don't have tamarins in a South American aviary....
 
Torgos said:
Sorry, I'm thinking you mean another zoo. Riverbanks don't have plush crested jays or bell birds, and they don't have tamarins in a South American aviary....
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The Monkeys were sectioned off in the Asian one. Also the bellbirds are in the same aviary the Plush Crested Jay WAS. Sorry, they also have a new aviary outside near the Ape Island holding 2 Grey Winged Trumpeters and Two green billed Toucans.
 
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