A big few days for a little zoo, Salisbury has announced a new male ocelot, Dale, from the Caldwell Zoo, and two female black-handed spider monkeys from Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
SALISBURY, Maryland – The Salisbury Zoo will soon bid a heartfelt farewell to one of its most cherished residents. Chaska, the Zoo’s female Andean bear, will be relocating to the Alexandria Zoo in Louisiana in early May as part of a carefully planned move to support her long-term care and the future of Andean bears at the Salisbury Zoo.
In honor of Chaska’s many years in Salisbury, the Zoo invites the community to a special celebration during Earth Day on Saturday, April 26th. This event will feature special enrichment activities for Chaska and engaging opportunities to learn about Andean bears and their conservation.
Chaska came to the Salisbury Zoo in 2013 from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Over her 12 years in Salisbury, she has been a significant part of the Zoo’s animal family and breeding efforts. Chaska has been housed with two different male bears and is the proud mother of four cubs—two singletons and a set of twins. Her cubs have been placed in zoos around the world, contributing to the genetic diversity of the species in human care.
Now 15 years old, Chaska is no longer recommended for breeding under the Andean Bear Species Survival Plan (SSP). This decision is based on her lineage being well-represented in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) population. To ensure her comfort and safety during the transition, a professional zoo transport company, accompanied by a veterinarian, has been hired to carry out her relocation.
Chaska’s move will make way for the construction of the Zoo’s new Andean bear exhibit, a major development that will occupy the current Andean bear and former North American otter exhibit space. All resident bears are being relocated to facilitate demolition and construction for this exciting upgrade. Thank you to Perdue for generously funding the architectural and construction plans for the new exhibit. Their support plays a vital role in helping the Zoo continue its mission of excellence in animal care, conservation, and education.
Chaska has played an important role in the Salisbury community and has left a lasting impact on Zoo guests and staff. Her departure is bittersweet, but it marks an exciting new chapter as the Zoo looks ahead to continuing its commitment to Andean bear conservation and education.
Stopped by Salisbury today, thought it was a nice little zoo despite no AZA. Some notes
- There was a note that the sloth is experiencing kidney failure and is in end-of-life care
- Talking to volunteers, it seemed the vibe would be that the Andean bear population would remain at around three in the expanded exhibit, which will take another year or two to open
- Did not see the ocelot, probably in its indoor exhibit on a hot day
- Lots of herons from the river have massive nests in the tall conifers in the zoo
Stopped by Salisbury today, thought it was a nice little zoo despite no AZA. Some notes
- There was a note that the sloth is experiencing kidney failure and is in end-of-life care
- Talking to volunteers, it seemed the vibe would be that the Andean bear population would remain at around three in the expanded exhibit, which will take another year or two to open
- Did not see the ocelot, probably in its indoor exhibit on a hot day
- Lots of herons from the river have massive nests in the tall conifers in the zoo
The zoo currently does not have Andean bears as they prepare to build a new exhibit for the species on the site of the current one. It's the first time in over 50 years that Salisbury hasn't had Andean bears.
The zoo currently does not have Andean bears as they prepare to build a new exhibit for the species on the site of the current one. It's the first time in over 50 years that Salisbury hasn't had Andean bears.
That’s unfortunate, heading over there on my way to the outerbanks. It’s my first time visiting so I’m not too disappointed. Anything of note there I should look for
Correct- they are building a new andean bear exhibit that is 5x bigger than the original.
In terms of things to see, they have a couple bison, a lynx, an ocelot, the only Delmarva squirrel held in a zoo, a few species of monkey, and some other things. I also enjoyed watching the wild heron in the adjacent river
Correct- they are building a new andean bear exhibit that is 5x bigger than the original.
In terms of things to see, they have a couple bison, a lynx, an ocelot, the only Delmarva squirrel held in a zoo, a few species of monkey, and some other things. I also enjoyed watching the wild heron in the adjacent river
Yeah, I would doubt any big expansion, primarily because it's a free zoo that I doubt has the resources to do an expansion (especially during the bear renovation) but also because it's locked between a river and only a narrow strip between housing
On March 17th, the zoo announced they acquired a central bearded dragon named Cricket and an Everglades rat snake named Papaya, which are ambassador animals.
On April 1st, the zoo announced their female (0.1) capybara named Faith passed away at age 10 due to a decline in health caused by extensive internal tumors.
On May 24th, the zoo announced they renovated their Animal Services Kitchen building, added separate areas for meat, vegetables, and mixing medications, as well as dedicated storage and expanded counter/sink space.
On May 29th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) greater rheas named Cassie and Emmy, which are on exhibit. On June 24th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2) more greater rheas named Kiwi and Ozzie from an unspecified facility in New York, which are on exhibit.
On June 11th, it was announced that the zoo received a non-critical violation by the USDA after a male (1.0) burrowing owl passed away overnight in its exhibit due to renal disease. Salisbury started an investigation into the matter the day of inspection.
On July 18th, the zoo announced they started off-show improvements to several exhibits, including the construction of a new Education Animal Holding building, installing HIVAC systems, and repainting areas. Due to renovations, the zoo moved their flamingos to the former outdoor American alligator exhibit, their yellow anaconda to the former indoor alligator building, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana near the flamingos, and their Canada lynx off-show at the animal hospital.
On July 27th, the zoo announced they moved their male (1.0) spotted whistling duck named Scooter from the straw-necked ibis exhibit to the laughing kookaburra exhibit.
On July 18th, the zoo announced they started off-show improvements to several exhibits, including the construction of a new Education Animal Holding building, installing HIVAC systems, and repainting areas. Due to renovations, the zoo moved their flamingos to the former outdoor American alligator exhibit, their yellow anaconda to the former indoor alligator building, the Mexican spiny-tailed iguana near the flamingos, and their Canada lynx off-show at the animal hospital.
On September 16th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.2f) axolotls named Daphne and Velma from Jenkinson's Aquarium in New Jersey (which are now on display inside the Morgan Center), and transferred a (1m.0) green-winged macaw named Oddball to The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore in Maryland in mid-September. The zoo also announced they renovated the Canada lynx and flamingo exhibits, as well as renovated the Morgan Center.
The Florida Sandhill Cranes are back in their upgraded habitat! 