San Diego Zoo Safari Park San Diego Zoo Safari Park News 2023

Julio C Castro said:
Just got a email that the Safari Park just welcomed 2 Sumatran Tiger cubs, born to mother Diana and father Dumai! They were born on July 13th, the park will show them off via Tiger Cam to see Diana and her cubs in the den.
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Their Press Release states they were born on July 12, so either the email (which I also got) or the Press Release is incorrect.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Celebrates the Birth of Two Sumatran Tiger Cubs at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park— Just in Time for Global Tiger Day, July 29
 
Once the African Elephant Exhibit is completed what’s the next project for the San Diego Zoo or the Safari Park
 
Thomas said:
Once the African Elephant Exhibit is completed what’s the next project for the San Diego Zoo or the Safari Park
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No announcements have been made. The elephant exhibit and surrounding area are going to take a couple of years to build, and the zoo just completed a multi-million dollar multi-year project rebuilding the children's zoo and surrounding area. It may be quite a while before they announce a new project.
 
At least one red-flanked duiker is now on exhibit with the gerenuk and birds across from the okapi. There are still additional red-flanked duikers in the former sitatunga habitat across from the tram station.

The two male lowland nyala from the Central Africa field habitat have been moved into the South Africa field habitat.
 
The press release linked above is interesting because it is completely empty of specific information what the construction actually includes. Is it just ‚decoration‘ of the visitor area or does it include improvements for the elephants - and if it does, what kind of improvements?!
 
Yassa said:
The press release linked above is interesting because it is completely empty of specific information what the construction actually includes. Is it just ‚decoration‘ of the visitor area or does it include improvements for the elephants - and if it does, what kind of improvements?!
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Details on new elephant habitat:

'Reimagining' of elephant exhibit under way at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The new habitat is roughly the same size as the current elephant area but will include spaces like hillsides and slopes that are not currently used, a zoo spokesperson said.

Plants planned for the exhibit also will reflect African grasslands, park officials said.

Artist’s rendering:

https://catimes.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a476691/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1553+0+0/resize/1200x777!/format/webp/quality/80/?url=https://california-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com/01/de/75342b0041a6b3831f526dd10949/elephant-passage-overview-hi-res.jpg
 
Yassa said:
The press release linked above is interesting because it is completely empty of specific information what the construction actually includes. Is it just ‚decoration‘ of the visitor area or does it include improvements for the elephants - and if it does, what kind of improvements?!
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There will some changes to their habitats according to conversations with staff, part of the the left side habitat had been cut off around February of this year. I know San Diego is pretty secretive with their plans and mostly releasing concept designs. I’m not surprised if we don’t know much until a couple weeks before its debut. There are photos of its design in one of their videos, I’ll try to find it again and post it.
 
Zoofan15 said:
Details on new elephant habitat:

'Reimagining' of elephant exhibit under way at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

The new habitat is roughly the same size as the current elephant area but will include spaces like hillsides and slopes that are not currently used, a zoo spokesperson said.

Plants planned for the exhibit also will reflect African grasslands, park officials said.

Artist’s rendering:

https://catimes.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/a476691/2147483647/strip/true/crop/2400x1553+0+0/resize/1200x777!/format/webp/quality/80/?url=https://california-times-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com/01/de/75342b0041a6b3831f526dd10949/elephant-passage-overview-hi-res.jpg
Click to expand...

I actually think this new proposal includes increased space for the elephants though and is bigger than the old space. That’s what zoo staff also said to me when I asked them about it.
 
Yassa said:
The press release linked above is interesting because it is completely empty of specific information what the construction actually includes. Is it just ‚decoration‘ of the visitor area or does it include improvements for the elephants - and if it does, what kind of improvements?!
Click to expand...

They are definitely working on the elephant space as well as the visitor space. As others have said, it is unclear exactly what the elephant space changes will be. From project descriptions and concept drawings, it looks like there will be some new water features.

The current elephant space is 50 years old. The former Asian elephant space was connected to the African elephant exhibit space once the monorail shut down (the track divided the exhibits). This whole set-up is being re-engineered to make one large space it looks like, maybe. Aesthetically the current elephant exhibit is a bit ragged maybe, but the space itself seems quite good in terms of size, "furniture" for the elephants to play with, pond, etc. Improvements might expand the space and modernize the shade structures, etc. The existing pool is not at all naturalistic, nor are the rest of the exhibit features- from concept drawings it looks like there might be an effort to add some vegetation to the exhibit.

Much of the project though is for visitors. They have cleared out the former Tembo Stadium that was abandoned after the elephant shows were stopped years ago. The viewing areas for the elephants have never been great since the monorail ended, as that was the primary intended viewing experience. Creating better visitor access and viewing of the exhibit seems to be a major priority, as is creating a massive event space using the elephant viewing as a draw.
 
All the Safari Park's recent maps show Elephant Valley as one blended parcel of land. It's cool to see the older, more detailed maps that specifically showcase the two different elephant exhibits:

Map from 1989:

full


Map from 2005:

full
 
DavidBrown said:
They are definitely working on the elephant space as well as the visitor space. As others have said, it is unclear exactly what the elephant space changes will be. From project descriptions and concept drawings, it looks like there will be some new water features.

The current elephant space is 50 years old. The former Asian elephant space was connected to the African elephant exhibit space once the monorail shut down (the track divided the exhibits). This whole set-up is being re-engineered to make one large space it looks like, maybe. Aesthetically the current elephant exhibit is a bit ragged maybe, but the space itself seems quite good in terms of size, "furniture" for the elephants to play with, pond, etc. Improvements might expand the space and modernize the shade structures, etc. The existing pool is not at all naturalistic, nor are the rest of the exhibit features- from concept drawings it looks like there might be an effort to add some vegetation to the exhibit.

Much of the project though is for visitors. They have cleared out the former Tembo Stadium that was abandoned after the elephant shows were stopped years ago. The viewing areas for the elephants have never been great since the monorail ended, as that was the primary intended viewing experience. Creating better visitor access and viewing of the exhibit seems to be a major priority, as is creating a massive event space using the elephant viewing as a draw.
Click to expand...
On top of all that the new elephant exhibit is meant to help improve flow between the upper and lower sections of the park. Supposedly the new area will connect the tiger trail dead end to the elephant exhibit where the monorail used to be.
 
I feel like most zoo renovations are as much for the keepers as they are for the animals. Especially as most of those facilities were built in the free contact era, I'm sure the goal is to have a whole facility to allow for the easiest way to manage and shift elephants around while also giving them a more interesting home

As well, guest flow being improved is a plus
 
Kudu21 said:
The park is currently in the process of moving all of the males from this year’s group of Nile lechwe calves from the East Africa field habitat to the South Africa field habitat. It appears that at least two have been moved thus far.
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How many are in the calf group overall?
 
The park will be receiving a new six-year-old 1:0 Greater one-horned/Indian Rhinoceros named Rupert, from the Mesker Park Zoo in Indiana this fall.

Mesker Park Zoo on Instagram: "IT’S A MATCH! You may have noticed a large crate in the Rhinoceros exhibit outside of the Kley Memorial Building. This is because Rupert, our Indian Rhinoceros will be packing his bags to head across the country. BUT it’s for a good reason! Rupert is one of the most genetically valuable Indian Rhinoceros males in North American zoo population. As a part of ongoing efforts to help protect potentially endangered species, he will be traveling to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this fall to breed with their females. This was recommended by the Association of Zoo & Aquarium SSP (Species Survival Plan), which are led by expert advisors who cooperatively work together to maximize genetic diversity, appropriately manage the demographic distribution and long-term sustainability of the species under human care. These plans are designed to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse population for the long-term future. To prepare for this cross-country trip, Rupert has been voluntarily crate-training with his keepers. Preparing him for the shipment will help make the day of as stress free as possible for Rupert and his care takers. We know that Rupert will be missed by staff and the community alike, as he leaves Evansville to discover his potential. However, Rupert’s contributions to the population and Indian Rhinoceros as a species will be felt for years to come. It is a privilege to be a part of his journey. After Rupert’s departure, we will be working with crews to make some small-but impactful updates before we prepare to receive a new male Indian Rhinoceros in the Spring"
 
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