And we have concept art in the new ZooNooz for the new "Panda Trek Exhibit." Basically its nothing special really, except for maybe the Mang Mountain Vipers exhibit. The Takin exhibit is basically where the old Bongo exhibit used to be and it looks similar to the horn and hoof mesa exhibits. Red Panda exhibit looks like a lemur island with a dry moat. It looks like the same average to above average exhibit SDZ has going. More docents with animal skulls for "interactivity" and lots of fake rock. Course we wont know until it is complete which will probably be in time for Night Time Zoo on June 25.
San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2011
- Thread starter Otter Lord
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polar bear
Well-Known Member
Otter Lord, I don"t think every new exhibit needs to be an outstanding mega exhibit. I'd rather see a well done red panda and takin exhibit than another Elephant Odyssey. I'm just happy that there will be something to look at other than drawings of pandas by school kids on the walk up the hill.
Earlier responses in this thread mention new Chinese Leopards. No new Chinese Leopards are coming. Jama, the old male on the catwalk will be placed in the new exhibit. They need to move the cats from the catwalk before they can start on the cat canyon remodel. I haven't heard which species will go in the new cat exhibit by the Kopje but it wouldn!t surprise me if that also becomes a temporary home for cats from the catwalk.
Earlier responses in this thread mention new Chinese Leopards. No new Chinese Leopards are coming. Jama, the old male on the catwalk will be placed in the new exhibit. They need to move the cats from the catwalk before they can start on the cat canyon remodel. I haven't heard which species will go in the new cat exhibit by the Kopje but it wouldn!t surprise me if that also becomes a temporary home for cats from the catwalk.
So there will be two new cat exhibits this summer? One for chinese leopard down by the pandas and one for another species at the top of the hill? Good news indeed!
There is actually only one. The male North Chinese Leopard is going to be moved to the kopje. I believe he is rather old so the zoo is probably considering what will go in that exhibit next. All leopards except Amur Leopards are being phased out so is debatable if the zoo will bring in Amur leopards or replace him with smaller cats. The exhibit that they are building for him is quite small, it is just an extension of the last aviary in the kopje, so I think it would be more sensible to place a smaller African cat in there. The zoo already has numerous caracals off exhibit which could go in there. They have servals too but they are more of a savannah animal than a kopje one.
The Trumpeter Hornbill exhibit is going right next to the leopards in the kopje. It is an extension of the aviary right next to the old one, which was an extension of an open air reptile exhibit.
The Trumpeter Hornbill exhibit is going right next to the leopards in the kopje. It is an extension of the aviary right next to the old one, which was an extension of an open air reptile exhibit.
Panda Trek Concept Art
Panda Trek Concept Art - a set on Flickr
Panda Trek Concept Art - a set on Flickr
mweb08
Well-Known Member
Hard to tell from that, but it could be good. Certainly an upgrade at the least. I'm very happy that the red pandas are finally getting at least a decent exibit.
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
The zoo also posted a video on their youtube account, but nothing new there.
For some reason I'm more excited for the Mang Mountain Pit Viper exhibit. I really liked the rattlesnake exhibit in EO, so hopefully it is as good as that one.
For some reason I'm more excited for the Mang Mountain Pit Viper exhibit. I really liked the rattlesnake exhibit in EO, so hopefully it is as good as that one.
Jessie Girl
New Member
I heard that the tigers are really HUGE! My friend brought her son there and the 2 year old boy cried because the tigers were not in the mood at that time.
I wish I saw it. That was such an adventure if it happened to me.
I wish I saw it. That was such an adventure if it happened to me.
Went to the Zoo the other day, took some photos of the construction site. The new trumpeter hornbill exhibit is now open and the North Chinese leopard is almost finished. It is fully netted and they were just putting finishing touches on it. They also put new signs in the kopje area, which I think are pretty awful.
Panda Trek now has some structures going. The fake rock and hardscape is coming in too. I will have photos up soon, probably tomorrow.
Panda Trek now has some structures going. The fake rock and hardscape is coming in too. I will have photos up soon, probably tomorrow.
I spent the morning at the zoo and found out a few interesting things.
I talked to a keeper at the jaguar exhibit, she was monitoring the female, Nindiri. Nindri and the new male Guapo have been spending quality time together. She said that if Nindri does not come into estrus on July 12th there is a high probability that she is pregnant.
There have been changes in the gorilla troops. Jessica has been moved from Memba's troop to Paul Donn's troop. Memba is a 42 year old silverback that has produce 10 offsprings. His troop now consist of just him and his 2 sons Mandazi, age 8, and Ekuba, age 5. Paul Donn now has 4 females and his 2 year old male, Frank. Introductions were violent with Jessica giving as good as she got. Things have settled down some between Jessica and Paul Donn, now the girls are working things out.
The Chinese leopard exhibit is finished but Jama has not been moved yet.
I talked to a keeper at the jaguar exhibit, she was monitoring the female, Nindiri. Nindri and the new male Guapo have been spending quality time together. She said that if Nindri does not come into estrus on July 12th there is a high probability that she is pregnant.
There have been changes in the gorilla troops. Jessica has been moved from Memba's troop to Paul Donn's troop. Memba is a 42 year old silverback that has produce 10 offsprings. His troop now consist of just him and his 2 sons Mandazi, age 8, and Ekuba, age 5. Paul Donn now has 4 females and his 2 year old male, Frank. Introductions were violent with Jessica giving as good as she got. Things have settled down some between Jessica and Paul Donn, now the girls are working things out.
The Chinese leopard exhibit is finished but Jama has not been moved yet.
Fire at the zoo.
Fire destroys zoo's panda gift shop - SignOnSanDiego.com
Fire destroys zoo's panda gift shop - SignOnSanDiego.com
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
Sad to hear that it was arson. What is worst is that they think it was a zoo employee...
They have already completely torn down the gift shop.
The employees all received an e-mail stating that there is no conclusive evidence that it was arson. I will be very interested to find out what the official report from the fire department says. It is disturbing to think that it could be a current or former employee.
The employees all received an e-mail stating that there is no conclusive evidence that it was arson. I will be very interested to find out what the official report from the fire department says. It is disturbing to think that it could be a current or former employee.
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I'm sorry, I don't have any exciting news, but is the African Wild Dog exhibit in Asian Passage only visible from the escalator ascending towards the entrance to Elephant Odyssey?
Yes, that is correct. (Years ago it housed takins and muntjac).
Well... I guess I won't be seeing them when I visit.
I've been trying to make a route through the San Diego Zoo without circling too much... I made a pretty decent one, but it doesn't utilize that escalator, unfortunately. Anyone know the BEST way to navigate the SD Zoo based on your experiences?
(like how to see everything without circling around the same places)
*Yes, I know there's lots of rough terrain and it could get tiring... I'M WILLING TO WALK!
**Also, I realize I could go for a 2-day pass, which I will, but I rather leave that second day for spending as much time as I want at my FAVORITE exhibits.
It is a big zoo, but not THAT big. If you have two days, there is no reason not to see everything. The escalator that goes past wild dogs is actually two separate moving walkways with a small platform between the two where you can stand and watch as long as you want. It drops you off right at Elephant Odyssey. Even if you have to do a small amount of backtracking, no reason not to use it and see everything.
If you want to avoid crowds (and there are crowds) for at least one or two hours, take the sky buckets first thing in the morning to Polar Bear Plunge and start on the far side of the zoo and work your way back.
If you want to avoid crowds (and there are crowds) for at least one or two hours, take the sky buckets first thing in the morning to Polar Bear Plunge and start on the far side of the zoo and work your way back.
If you really don't mind walking try this route. Straight down Easy Street, turn left on Tiger Trail. Take the trail all the way down to the canyon. Turn left on Park way and then right to Eagle Trail. Take the hill up to the Polar Rim entrance through the gift shop follow Polar Rim all the way around then left up the hill to Elephant Odyssey. After EO walk through the Kopje on right, then turn left back to Front Street. Left on Front Street all the way back to the entrance. Then take Monkey Trail on your left as you face the flamingos. Follow the trail all the way to the gorillas. Don't miss the pygmy hippos and crocodiles on your right. Back track your way to Hippo Trail, turn right to take the trail through Scripps Aviary to the bonobos. Follow the bonobo exhibit all the way around to the stairs. Up the stairs will take you to Treehouse Cafe and the back of the gorilla exhibit. Stay to your left, back to Easy Street. Go through Orangutan Trail and through Parker Aviary. Turn to your right to go down to the canyon through Owens Aviary. Turn right up Center street. Turn left at the top of the hill, circle around Urban Jungle back to Front street. Turn left, then left on Park Way. Watch for Big Cat Trail on the left side of the street. Keep left to Sun Bear Trail, follow the trail until you reach the sun bears then turn back. Turn left then right up to Asian Passage to see the Pandas. Back track to the intersection of Park and Center now you can take the moving sidewalk behind the Canyon Cafe go straight to the Skyfari back to the front of the zoo. Children's zoo is on your right and Discovery Outpost and Reptile House are on your right. Are you exhausted yet? I think the only trail I missed was Kiwi Trail. Enjoy your visit!
mstickmanp
Well-Known Member
San Diego Zoo severs ties with Las Vegas Zoo:
San Diego Zoo severs ties with Las Vegas Zoo - www.ktnv.com
Am I the only one surprised that SD Zoo even had ties with LV Zoo?
San Diego Zoo severs ties with Las Vegas Zoo - www.ktnv.com
Am I the only one surprised that SD Zoo even had ties with LV Zoo?
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