San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2023

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On February 17th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (1.1) Fiji banded iguanas to the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/02.2023-Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report.pdf

On March 15th, it was announced that the zoo acquired (2.1) Angolan pythons, a (1.0) Woma python, a (1.0) Hog Island boa, and a (0.1) eastern box turtle from the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Animal-Transaction-Commission-Report-March-2023.pdf
 
Andean bear cub twins make public debut:

San Diego Zoo celebrates Andean bear cub twins

The San Diego Zoo announced that its 3-month-old twin Andean bear cubs have ventured out to meet guests for the first time.

Born to second-time mother Alba and Sire Turbo in December 2022, this is the first set of twin Andean bear clubs born at the zoo since 1993. Alba’s grandmother, Houdini, was the last Andean bear to give birth to twins Sombra and Quixote. In 2020, Alba gave birth to her first cub, a male named Agapito, who was the first Andean bear cub born at the zoo since Sombra and Quixote.1
 
JpY said:
Any idea how long since the previous birth?
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Zoofan15 said:
The second was born at San Diego in March 2022 and was the first male; following on from the first in April 2021:

Golden Takin Born at San Diego Zoo – NBC 7 San Diego

First Male Golden Takin Born in the Western Hemisphere Receives a Name at the San Diego Zoo
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All three calves are full siblings born to parents Zhao and Bona.

0.1 Mei Ling (00/04/2021)
1.0 Jin Tong (21/03/2022)
1.0 Unnamed (03/03/2023)
 
So any new stuff I should know about and what's the best time to see the polar bears?
 
 
I'm planning to visit San Diego on an as-yet unbooked holiday next late spring/early summer. I know that nothing can be predicted with avian influenza, and still count myself lucky that the McCormick bird house at Lincoln Park Zoo, when I visited Chicago last year, had just re-opened some days before my visit.

My question is when have bird exhibits at San Diego Zoo/Wildlife Park been closed over the past year, to give me a rough idea of when to avoid? Thanks!
 
Some really sad news! 59 year old Asian elephant Mary has been euthanized. She was the zoo’s last Asian elephant :(

They are now down to 3 (2.1) African elephants.

San Diego Zoo on Instagram: "The San Diego Zoo family is heartbroken to share the passing of Mary, a geriatric Asian elephant. Mary had been under veterinary care, including hydrotherapy and physical therapy to alleviate age-related joint ailments for some time. Unfortunately, despite these therapies, Mary’s mobility had declined, affecting her daily activity. After monitoring her closely and evaluating her quality of life, Mary’s health and care specialists made the difficult decision to compassionately euthanize her. Mary arrived at the Zoo in the spring of 2009 from the Safari Park, where she had lived since 1980. At 59 years of age Mary has exceeded the average life expectancy of a female Asian elephant, which is 47 years old. During her time at the Zoo, she resided at the Elephant Odyssey habitat, featuring the Elephant Care Center, specially equipped to attend to the needs of elderly elephants. She was described by wildlife care specialists as having a uniquely dominant personality but also a peaceful presence that was a comfort to other elephants. As an ambassador for her species, Mary helped educate guests on the difference between Asian and African elephants, the threats they face, and how we adapt our care for aging animals. Mary's physical therapy and palliative care also made her a relatable presence for humans experiencing similar ailments. After Mary had passed, Shaba, who lived with Mary, had the opportunity to see her and make her goodbyes. Shaba will have her choice to socialize with neighboring elephants Nipho and Sundzu. Mary’s gentle presence will be greatly missed. Please take a moment to offer your condolences to all who are feeling this loss. We thank you for your support during this difficult time."
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It is very sad to have Mary's passing confirmed. I was at the zoo yesterday, and the Elephant Restraint Device was blocked out by privacy screens and tarps, Shaba was alone in the second yard, and some viewing areas were blocked off, so I assumed the worst. My condolences go out to all of her keepers, past and present, and to the San Diego community, of which Mary had been a part of for so many years.

Some additional updates from my visit:
  • There is a sign stating that the prairie dogs are temporarily off display.
  • The fishing cat exhibit is currently empty, with a sign saying "Animals Off-Display".
  • The aviaries below the Scripps Aviary are closed for maintenance work.
  • The first hamadryas baboon exhibit is closed for maintenance work.
  • There are now fossas in both of the predator exhibits in the Madagascar Forest in Africa Rocks!, meaning there is no longer a honey badger on display.
  • A pair of southern ground hornbills are now on display in the former bateleur aviary in the Kopje.
  • The reindeer exhibit was also empty with a sign saying "Animals Temporarily Off-Display".
  • The Arctic Aviary is now reopened, but the neighboring marsh is still drained for HPAI precautions.
  • Shade cloth was put up around the dik-dik yard in EO for the introduction of a new animal.
  • There is now at least one Von der Decken's hornbill in the secretarybird aviary in EO.
  • There was no sign of any pronghorn in with the dromedary camels.
 
I noted just now from the most recent map version the Steller's Sea-Eagle icon at Eagle Trail has been replaced by a California Condor - have Steller's been replaced by CA Condors?
 
Kudu21 said:
It is very sad to have Mary's passing confirmed. I was at the zoo yesterday, and the Elephant Restraint Device was blocked out by privacy screens and tarps, Shaba was alone in the second yard, and some viewing areas were blocked off, so I assumed the worst. My condolences go out to all of her keepers, past and present, and to the San Diego community, of which Mary had been a part of for so many years.

Some additional updates from my visit:
  • There is a sign stating that the prairie dogs are temporarily off display.
  • The fishing cat exhibit is currently empty, with a sign saying "Animals Off-Display".
  • The aviaries below the Scripps Aviary are closed for maintenance work.
  • The first hamadryas baboon exhibit is closed for maintenance work.
  • There are now fossas in both of the predator exhibits in the Madagascar Forest in Africa Rocks!, meaning there is no longer a honey badger on display.
  • A pair of southern ground hornbills are now on display in the former bateleur aviary in the Kopje.
  • The reindeer exhibit was also empty with a sign saying "Animals Temporarily Off-Display".
  • The Arctic Aviary is now reopened, but the neighboring marsh is still drained for HPAI precautions.
  • Shade cloth was put up around the dik-dik yard in EO for the introduction of a new animal.
  • There is now at least one Von der Decken's hornbill in the secretarybird aviary in EO.
  • There was no sign of any pronghorn in with the dromedary camels.
Click to expand...

I knew it was suspicious when there was no fishing cat or pronghorns when I went back in April. Are you saying there is no honey badger at the zoo at all now anymore? Or is it still visible from the bus? i did not get to see it when I last went.
 
BenFoxster said:
Are you saying there is no honey badger at the zoo at all now anymore? Or is it still visible from the bus? i did not get to see it when I last went.
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Most likely shunted back to the exhibit only viewable by bus - that swap has happened a few times now.
 
BenFoxster said:
I knew it was suspicious when there was no fishing cat or pronghorns when I went back in April. Are you saying there is no honey badger at the zoo at all now anymore? Or is it still visible from the bus? i did not get to see it when I last went.
Click to expand...

Suspicious?
 
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