San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2024

[AWP]

I visited SDZ three weeks ago, a dream for many years. It was beautiful!

The original plan was a visit four years ago, but the pandemic decided otherwise. So, several rarities I hoped to see were gone (ornate hawk-eagle, black duiker, giant eland, pronghorn, Cape otter). On the other side, the new hummingbird house was opened in this periode, so that was a plus.

Some notes:

* All birds of the Bus Loading Aviary were off display
* Red-flanked duiker is now kept in the former maned wolf enclosure
* Most of the Chinese section is closed, except for a dead ending pathway to the leopard enclosures

 

[Kudu21]

1.0 okapi “Kapu” has arrived from the Sedgwick County Zoo on an SSP breeding recommendation. He is currently rotating on exhibit with 0.1 “Subira” until they are ready to be introduced.

 

[Kudu21]

I visited SDZ three weeks ago, a dream for many years. It was beautiful!

The original plan was a visit four years ago, but the pandemic decided otherwise. So, several rarities I hoped to see were gone (ornate hawk-eagle, black duiker, giant eland, pronghorn, Cape otter). On the other side, the new hummingbird house was opened in this periode, so that was a plus.

Some notes:

* All birds of the Bus Loading Aviary were off display
* Red-flanked duiker is now kept in the former maned wolf enclosure
* Most of the Chinese section is closed, except for a dead ending pathway to the leopard enclosures

I’m happy you were finally able to visit! I’m glad to hear that you still had an enjoyable time, even if some of the species you wished to see were already gone. If you did not see pronghorn, I take it you did not make it up to the Safari Park?

Thank you for the handful of updates. They appear to be making their way through renovating all of the aviaries to be compliant with the new USDA regulations for birds. Interesting to know that the red-flanked duiker is now in the old maned wolf exhibit. When they announced his arrival, I just assumed he was always intended to be mixed with the okapi like the black duikers were before they left. I wonder if it will be temporary?

 

[MeiLover]

According to the San Diego Zoo photographer Facebook group, Rosco, a male Malayan tapir, now lives at the zoo.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

According to the San Diego Zoo photographer Facebook group, Rosco, a male Malayan tapir, now lives at the zoo.

Rosco is nine years old and came from the Virginia Zoo. He sired a calf there in 2020.

 

[MeiLover]

Rosco is nine years old and came from the Virginia Zoo. He sired a calf there in 2020.

He came from another facility as Virginia Zoo already has a pair. I'm not sure which facility. On a personal note, Rosco means a lot to me as I cared for him during my internship at the Virginia Zoo a couple years ago, and having already planned a trip to San Diego in a few months, I'm very excited about being able to reunite with him.

 

[MeiLover]

He came from another facility as Virginia Zoo already has a pair. I'm not sure which facility. On a personal note, Rosco means a lot to me as I cared for him during my internship at the Virginia Zoo a couple years ago, and having already planned a trip to San Diego in a few months, I'm very excited about being able to reunite with him.

I would like to correct myself, he did indeed come from Virginia Zoo, and has been living at San Diego Zoo since at least 2022.

 

[JVM]

The original plan was a visit four years ago, but the pandemic decided otherwise. So, several rarities I hoped to see were gone (ornate hawk-eagle, black duiker, giant eland, pronghorn, Cape otter). On the other side, the new hummingbird house was opened in this periode, so that was a plus.

Glad you had a great visit! This is actually the first I knew SDZ had recently had Cape clawless otter or ornate hawk-eagle - shame!

 

[AWP]

If you did not see pronghorn, I take it you did not make it up to the Safari Park?

No, didn't visit the Safari Park.

But I did see pronghorn, in the wild in Utah! First I had some doubts, passed by one quickly next to a road near Arches National Park, but then saw two more a bit further along this road.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

An infant Francois Langur is on exhibit with it's family group in Sun Bear Forest, as reported on a SDZ Facebook Group.

The infant is a girl and has been named Yezi according to the Facebook group.
Focusing on the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park | "Sneaking Away" | Facebook

 

[Kudu21]

Glad you had a great visit! This is actually the first I knew SDZ had recently had Cape clawless otter or ornate hawk-eagle - shame!

The last of the Cape clawless otters passed at the beginning of 2020. The last ornate hawk-eagle moved to Avian Behavior International in Escondido, CA the beginning of last year after the passing of her mate.

 

[sdzoo_adventures]

1.0 okapi “Kapu” has arrived from the Sedgwick County Zoo on an SSP breeding recommendation. He is currently rotating on exhibit with 0.1 “Subira” until they are ready to be introduced.

They were out on exhibit together as of yesterday.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

Luna the Baird’s Tapir gave birth to a calf on June 2. The sire is Felix. Mom and baby are doing well and currently bonding behind the scenes in the barn, but have access to a fenced yard between the two tapir/capybara habitats where guests can catch a glimpse.

The new tapir calf was out on public view for the first time yesterday.
Focusing on the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park | I managed to snap a couple of pics of the baby Baird's Tapir this morning...first day out for public viewing. | Facebook

 

[splendens]

I visited SDZ three weeks ago, a dream for many years. It was beautiful!

The original plan was a visit four years ago, but the pandemic decided otherwise. So, several rarities I hoped to see were gone (ornate hawk-eagle, black duiker, giant eland, pronghorn, Cape otter). On the other side, the new hummingbird house was opened in this periode, so that was a plus.

Some notes:

* All birds of the Bus Loading Aviary were off display
* Red-flanked duiker is now kept in the former maned wolf enclosure
* Most of the Chinese section is closed, except for a dead ending pathway to the leopard enclosures

Are the golden-headed quetzal, Saint Vincent Amazons, and kagu displayed elsewhere in the zoo?

 

[JVM]

The last of the Cape clawless otters passed at the beginning of 2020. The last ornate hawk-eagle moved to Avian Behavior International in Escondido, CA the beginning of last year after the passing of her mate.

Thank you! San Diego's always been known to have such a great collection that I actually can be pretty ignorant of the rarities and the details and history behind them so I really appreciate information like this!

 

[AWP]

Are the golden-headed quetzal, Saint Vincent Amazons, and kagu displayed elsewhere in the zoo?

I didn't see them elsewhere. Most other species that used to be in the Bus Loading Aviary, can (also) be seen in Hummingbird Habitat.

 

[splendens]

I didn't see them elsewhere. Most other species that used to be in the Bus Loading Aviary, can (also) be seen in Hummingbird Habitat.

Ah what a shame thanks for the information.

 

[USZOOfan42]

Thank you! San Diego's always been known to have such a great collection that I actually can be pretty ignorant of the rarities and the details and history behind them so I really appreciate information like this!

I believe the kagu can be seen while on the bus in an off habitat breeding area.

 

[Grant]

I’m happy you were finally able to visit! I’m glad to hear that you still had an enjoyable time, even if some of the species you wished to see were already gone. If you did not see pronghorn, I take it you did not make it up to the Safari Park?

Thank you for the handful of updates. They appear to be making their way through renovating all of the aviaries to be compliant with the new USDA regulations for birds. Interesting to know that the red-flanked duiker is now in the old maned wolf exhibit. When they announced his arrival, I just assumed he was always intended to be mixed with the okapi like the black duikers were before they left. I wonder if it will be temporary?

Out of curiosity, what are the new USDA regulations for birds? I'm assuming it may have something to do with recent HPAI outbreaks?

 

[splendens]

I’m currently in the zoo, does anyone know where the blue coua are located? Thanks a bunch.