San Diego Zoo San Diego Zoo News 2024

[JAG]

Interesting that San Diego's sun bear is so reclusive. Maybe the Atlanta pair are more active and outgoing because they have each other to interact with? Or it could just be blind luck that I always get good performances out of them, haha.

 

[USZOOfan42]

Interesting that San Diego's sun bear is so reclusive. Maybe the Atlanta pair are more active and outgoing because they have each other to interact with? Or it could just be blind luck that I always get good performances out of them, haha.

When I went to Atlanta in January they were very active but same could be said for when I went to San Diego, it may just be the time you visit.

 

[JessKimber]

Interesting that San Diego's sun bear is so reclusive. Maybe the Atlanta pair are more active and outgoing because they have each other to interact with? Or it could just be blind luck that I always get good performances out of them, haha.

It might be an age thing. How old are San Diego’s sun bears? The older bears I worked with were always sleeping on exhibit, but super active and inquisitive in back of house. The younger bears are usually wandering, climbing, playing in their habitats and off exhibit.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

It might be an age thing. How old are San Diego’s sun bears? The older bears I worked with were always sleeping on exhibit, but super active and inquisitive in back of house. The younger bears are usually wandering, climbing, playing in their habitats and off exhibit.

The zoo has one female Sun Bear named Marcella, who is 29 years old, which is very old for a Sun Bear.
Aside from that, judging by the current population, I highly doubt that they will replace her once she passes due to the lack of availability because there are only eleven Sun Bears left in North American Zoos, most of whom are elderly and are probably going to be phased-out entirely from zoos in the US.

 

[Jambo]

It might be an age thing. How old are San Diego’s sun bears? The older bears I worked with were always sleeping on exhibit, but super active and inquisitive in back of house. The younger bears are usually wandering, climbing, playing in their habitats and off exhibit.

Marcella is 29 years old, so certainly an older bear. I'd imagine this would definitely contribute to her level of activity these days. Conversely, Atlanta's pair are 27 and 25 respectively so not that much younger.

 

[Thomas]

Do you think the Sun Bear Forest will be renamed Sloth Bear Forest after Marcella passes away and the Sloth Bears are moved there?

 

[Baryonyx]

Do you think the Sun Bear Forest will be renamed Sloth Bear Forest after Marcella passes away and the Sloth Bears are moved there?

That would make sense.

 

[RJB Wildlife]

Do you think the Sun Bear Forest will be renamed Sloth Bear Forest after Marcella passes away and the Sloth Bears are moved there?

From what I’ve been told, that bear canyon section is expected to be the next big expansion project after Elephant Valley. The zoo currently has two Sloth Bears on a breeding recommendation so it’s not a stretch to assume they’d be a focal point for the new attraction.

 

[Thomas]

From what I’ve been told, that bear canyon section is expected to be the next big expansion project after Elephant Valley. The zoo currently has two Sloth Bears on a breeding recommendation so it’s not a stretch to assume they’d be a focal point for the new attraction.

When did you hear of this and what would this project include?

 

[RJB Wildlife]

When did you hear of this and what would this project include?

I’ve heard this multiple times over the course of the last few months. The idea would be to somewhat flatten the terrain down that hill and replace the bear grottos with something similar to Africa Rocks.

 

[Panda_Fan]

I’ve heard this multiple times over the course of the last few months. The idea would be to somewhat flatten the terrain down that hill and replace the bear grottos with something similar to Africa Rocks.

Would it be asian themed?

 

[Baryonyx]

Would it be asian themed?

Considering the area is named Asian Passage, probably.

 

[Panda_Fan]

Considering the area is named Asian Passage, probably.

Maybe it could change to Bear Passage, that would fit more.

 

[RJB Wildlife]

Would it be asian themed?

TBD, I’d assume so but it’s still in the planning phase, which could obviously change due to circumstances.

 

[Thomas]

Maybe it could change to Bear Passage, that would fit more.

Since they do have Grizzly Bears and Spectacled Bears too!

 

[RJB Wildlife]

Maybe it could change to Bear Passage, that would fit more.

It wouldn’t shock me if the Grizzly Bears are moved in the next year or so to prep for the expansion. If I had to guess, it would go through a similar renovation as Africa Rocks and include multiple Asian species with Sloth Bears and Takin headlining the attraction.

 

[Nile Hippo Expert]

As mentioned by @Jambo in the Safari Park thread, the zoo plans to move African Elephant Shaba over there to give her companionship in her golden years and so that the zoo can focus entirely on a bachelor herd of elephants.

 

[X213G]

It wouldn’t shock me if the Grizzly Bears are moved in the next year or so to prep for the expansion. If I had to guess, it would go through a similar renovation as Africa Rocks and include multiple Asian species with Sloth Bears and Takin headlining the attraction.

The Grizzly Bears.Moved into where exactly.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

As mentioned by @Jambo in the Safari Park thread, the zoo plans to move African Elephant Shaba over there to give her companionship in her golden years and so that the zoo can focus entirely on a bachelor herd of elephants.

I am glad it makes much more sense to have her at the SD-WAP with cows (marginally) nearer her own age.

 

[RJB Wildlife]

The Grizzly Bears.Moved into where exactly.

My best guess would be another facility such as Oakland or another zoo that rehabilitates/rescues Grizzly Bears, unless they renovate Northern Frontier to house more North American animals in the remnant of the Horn and Hoof Mesa across from Polar Bears.