Saint Louis Zoo Saint Louis Zoo News 2018

TinoPup

TinoPup

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
The zoo announced today that cheetah Bingwa gave birth to EIGHT cubs on November 26th at their Saint Louis Zoo River’s Edge Cheetah Breeding Center. This is the first time a cheetah has successfully raised 8 cubs on her own at an AZA zoo - or likely anywhere else, given how difficult it is to get cheetahs to reproduce and the high death rate of cubs.
Meet Our New Cheetah Cubs :: Saint Louis Zoo
 
What a shame they couldn’t save her. Having had four previous cases too, it is terrible for them.
 
Echobeast said:
The Saint Louis Zoo has purchased 425 acres of land in north St. Louis County.
Zoo Association Agrees on Land Purchase :: Saint Louis Zoo
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I've been mulling this over, and while it's a great get for the zoo, I sort of wish they had purchased land in a more southern clime. Sort of like what San Diego Zoo Global did in Louisiana.

I forget what the ownership situation is like, but Grant's Farm always seemed like it could be converted into a more Wild Animal Park-like experience.
 
Buldeo said:
I'm flipping through the plans now, but the term you're looking for his "glamping", not "glambing". It's a portmanteau of glamour and camping. Basically one step away from RV camping.
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I'm annoyed by the fact the site provides an option to enlarge the slides, but are blurry as all get out. The option is essentially useless.

Overall, I'm intrigued by the possibilities. I like the idea that they want to keep a diversity of species beyond the current ABC mentality, but I'll wait to see how it plays out.

Ultimately though, I have to wonder if the current model of relying on tax revenue is unsustainable given St. Louis' demographics. The population barely grew as of 2016, and if trends continue who knows what kind of revenue the zoo will be able to rely upon.
 
Buldeo said:
Ultimately though, I have to wonder if the current model of relying on tax revenue is unsustainable given St. Louis' demographics. The population barely grew as of 2016, and if trends continue who knows what kind of revenue the zoo will be able to rely upon.
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If the population did grow in 2016, that's a welcome change of events. It's a post-industrial ghost of its former self and its population is less than half what it was when the zoo first opened. I've always thought that the surrounding St. Louis county (home to the suburbs) should be contributing tax revenue to it as well, but it's a much more conservative political base and they have rejected such measures in the past.
 
Last minute, but making my first visit to STL tomorrow. Other than the cheetah cubs, what is can't-miss?
 
jpc323 said:
Last minute, but making my first visit to STL tomorrow. Other than the cheetah cubs, what is can't-miss?
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If you like herps, nearly every species in the reptile house are noteworthy. Quite a few are only kept by STL themselves. As for birds, the collection has been dwindling from what it used to be, but you should prioritize horned guan (not that they’re easy to miss!), golden white-eye (good luck...), and great Indian hornbill. Several uncommon species of hoofstock are found in Red Rocks, such as Soemerring’s gazelle and Javan banteng. The stingray lagoon and children’s zoo are free for the zoo’s first hour of opening. I would advise going straight to the children’s zoo, as that’s where the Tasmanian devils are. The stingray lagoon is nice but nothing remarkable.

If you have any further questions, I’ll try to answer them. Have a great visit!
 
Thanks so much!! The herpetarium was already top of my list, followed by the primate house, but I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to track down the guan and banteng!

I'm a bit spoiled with devils thanks to the LA Zoo, but have never seen Matschie's kangaroo, so I'll hit up the children's zoo for sure.
 
jpc323 said:
Thanks so much!! The herpetarium was already top of my list, followed by the primate house, but I really appreciate it. I'll make sure to track down the guan and banteng!

I'm a bit spoiled with devils thanks to the LA Zoo, but have never seen Matschie's kangaroo, so I'll hit up the children's zoo for sure.
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By reputation their penguin house, insect house, and the River's Edge complex are all must-sees.
 
I would also recommend trying to get a glimpse of Raja, their bull elephant. He has some of the more impressive tusks amongst zoo elephants in North America.
 
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