San Francisco Zoo San Francisco Zoo News 2015

Falcosparverius said:
I-TEAM: San Francisco Zoo on verge of having to give up three elderly chimpanzees | abc7news.com

The zoo may send its chimpanzees away. Even though the "triple-grotto" ape enclosures are not up to standards and the chimpanzee group may not be large enough, I think the zoo should wait for the unfortunate instead of sending the elderly chimps away in such a manner.
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SF Zoo Blogger (Kimberly Forwood as seen in news article) posted in her blog about the new chimpanzee exhibit to be built. I'm guessing the zoo will move the female chimps once the male (Cobby) passes, since AZA is probably not allowing more chimpanzees to be sent to SF.

Chimpanzee Blog
Save San Francisco Zoo Chimps
Concept Plans
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MG-5pKdURd0/VTfM6dsszLI/AAAAAAAAIu8/MIDatYVBttc/s1600/IMG_9032.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk_YTjEKNTw/VTfMcl6CVDI/AAAAAAAAIu0/K0FiFPqUauU/s1600/IMG_9584.adj.jpg
 
Falcosparverius said:
SF Zoo Blogger (Kimberly Forwood as seen in news article) posted in her blog about the new chimpanzee exhibit to be built. I'm guessing the zoo will move the female chimps once the male (Cobby) passes, since AZA is probably not allowing more chimpanzees to be sent to SF.

Chimpanzee Blog
Save San Francisco Zoo Chimps
Concept Plans
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MG-5pKdURd0/VTfM6dsszLI/AAAAAAAAIu8/MIDatYVBttc/s1600/IMG_9032.JPG
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wk_YTjEKNTw/VTfMcl6CVDI/AAAAAAAAIu0/K0FiFPqUauU/s1600/IMG_9584.adj.jpg
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So they are proposing a Sky Trail much like Philadelphia Zoo has built (and also designed by CLR)
 
It'll be interesting to see what new species the zoo brings in. I'd like to see sloth or asiatic black bears. Though I think more likely they'll get spectacled again or rescued black bears since that part of the zoo is being developed as the Americas biogeographical area. Maned wolves are another possibility according to staff.
 
Chimpangeek said:
I talked to some keepers today. The tropical Rainforest building is set to open July 13th
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Do you have any idea what species will be in it? From the concept drawings it looks like they have free-flying parrots planned.

Update: It occurred to me to look up the SF Zoo website and this is what it says about the rain forest exhibit as of June 2015:

We are pleased to announce that we have begun the renovations for a new Koret-Taube South American Tropical Rainforest and Aviary building. The renovated aviary will feature a realistic rainforest ecosystem, full of colorful free-flight birds, exotic plants and trees, a charming two-toed sloth, and the Zoo’s first significant herpetological collection—which will include a 15-foot long green anaconda as well as rare tree frogs, turtles, lizards, and snakes. The new exhibit will highlight environmental threats facing rainforests, as well as the devastating effects of the illegal pet trade on South American wildlife. The new Aviary will immerse visitors in a realistic tropical environment and create a stunning new educational space at the Zoo.
This renovation project will transform the historic South American Tropical Forest building which is located on the northern side of the Zoo. This original depression-era WPA building was originally an aquatic birdhouse.
We look forward to opening this spectacular new space to the public in 2015.
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Some links about the new "Sculpture Learning Plaza"
Although I would rather have the zoo spend money on new exhibits for the animals (i.e. cats, primates, bears), I believe that the money was already appropriated beforehand. The models are amazingly realistic and I like how the models are of animals that the zoo will most likely be unable to obtain, showing the diversity of more uncommon animals.
sculpturelearningplaza
SF ZOO Animal Learning Plaza
 
DavidBrown said:
Do you have any idea what species will be in it? From the concept drawings it looks like they have free-flying parrots planned.

Update: It occurred to me to look up the SF Zoo website and this is what it says about the rain forest exhibit as of June 2015:
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I got to peek inside from over the construction fence, of it I could see it looks very immersive and uses the space much better than before. The sloth will be able to climb over the crowd on a network of branches.
For now, the sloth will probably be the only mammal species in the building. South American primate species will not be featured, though there seems to be a push by the board to bring in more members of the Xenartha order to the zoo, so tarmanduas are a real possibility.
 
Chimpangeek said:
I got to peek inside from over the construction fence, of it I could see it looks very immersive and uses the space much better than before. The sloth will be able to climb over the crowd on a network of branches.
For now, the sloth will probably be the only mammal species in the building. South American primate species will not be featured, though there seems to be a push by the board to bring in more members of the Xenartha order to the zoo, so tarmanduas are a real possibility.
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There are images of the building interior on the zoo website. The terrarium area is not very immersive with the metal bracing present (slight resemblance of California Academy of Sciences), but the overall building looks nicely planted and lush.
tropicalforest
 
There are no fish species at the Zoo. Originally, piranhas (and stingrays?) were planned for the building, but I guess filtration for aquariums would add expenses to the already $6 million cost.
 
Falcosparverius said:
There are no fish species at the Zoo. Originally, piranhas (and stingrays?) were planned for the building, but I guess filtration for aquariums would add expenses to the already $6 million cost.
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Several years ago they had stingrays and arapaima swimming around in the pond in the tropic house, but that was at least one or two remodels ago.
 
I was at the zoo this past Friday and noticed the main grizzly exhibit was blocked off. I peeked over the rope and saw that one panel of glass was shattered, though intact.
 
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