Santa Barbara Zoo Santa Barbara Zoo News

The zoo has modified the snow leopard exhibit and replaced the fence in the smaller viewing area on the left with glass. This eliminates the plexiglass they previously placed over the fence in that area to protect the snow leopard in the post-COVID-19 era.

The rhinoceros hornbill exhibit (the one that was previously the Ruppell's Griffon vulture exhibit) is currently being remodeled/renovated. A keeper I asked said they weren't sure yet what species would be going in there once it's done. They currently don't have any rhinoceros hornbills, however, as the SSP and Studbook coordinator for that species is at Santa Barbara I'd expect them to get more in the future.
 
Per a Zoo News email today, the rhinoceros hornbill exhibit is being converted to a red panda habitat which will open in late 2023. They received a male red panda from Trevor Zoo at Millbrook School in New York. He's living in a spacious behind-the-scenes habitat until his new exhibit is complete.
 
@Elena When I visited last year they had Rhinoceros Hornbill in two enclosures; do you know what's in the other one, if they don't have hornbills currently?
 
Coelacanth18 said:
@Elena When I visited last year they had Rhinoceros Hornbill in two enclosures; do you know what's in the other one, if they don't have hornbills currently?
Click to expand...

That other exhibit is currently empty. I suspect that it's going to be used for rhinoceros hornbills again whenever they get more. They had the female in there before she moved while the male was in the exhibit that's now being renovated for the red panda before he moved.

The zoo again has fennec foxes. They have 2 brothers who were born at The Living Desert. The sign at their exhibit next to the lion exhibit said they have access to their behind-the-scenes area as well as their habitat while they get used to their new home.
 
On April 23rd, the zoo announced they redid the catwalk and installed new signage in the Wings of Asia aviary.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On May 4th, the zoo announced they transferred a (1.0) Amur leopard named Kasha to the Potawatomi Zoo in Indiana.

Potawatomi Zoo

On May 5th, the zoo announced they reopened their Coahuilan box turtle exhibit, which was completely redesigned with a larger water feature.

Also on May 5th, the zoo announced they bred and released (0.0.20+) red-legged frog tadpoles into the wild.

Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo
 
Per a USDA Inspection Report dated 3/29/23 for an inspection on 3/23/23, the adult female capybara attacked and killed the young female on 3/5/23. This is what's written in the report since I wasn't sure if the link would work:

"The zoo acquired two 6-month-old capybaras in January 2023. According to the Attending Veterinarian (AV) these two capybaras went through a slow and careful introduction process with the facility’s single female adult capybara. There was consultation with the AZA capybara SSP about the introduction process before accepting the young capybaras, and the introduction process had been going well. Experienced facility staff initially monitored the animals and were comfortable there were no observed problems. Despite careful monitoring of the introduction of these animals, the adult female attacked the juvenile female on March 5, 2023, which died quickly despite resuscitation efforts. The remaining juvenile capybara is now separated from the adult female and the facility is working with the SSP on how to move forward. Animal introductions can be unpredictable and can adversely affect the health and well-being of the animals involved. Animals housed in the same primary enclosure must be compatible. Animals shall not be housed near animals that interfere with their health or cause them discomfort."

I can confirm that the young male was in a separate enclosure at the time of my visit on May 7.
 
Other 2023 News:

On May 24th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.4) mini Nubian goats as well as a (0.0.1) Nigerian dwarf goat which are now on exhibit in the barnyard area.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On May 28th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) emus hatched.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Elena said:
The zoo again has fennec foxes. They have 2 brothers who were born at The Living Desert. The sign at their exhibit next to the lion exhibit said they have access to their behind-the-scenes area as well as their habitat while they get used to their new home.
Click to expand...

On June 7th, the zoo officially announced the males, named Flynn and Phineas, are back on exhibit after some modifications were made.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
Raj the Red Panda has made his debut at the Santa Barbara Zoo! As mentioned before previously in the thread he came to the zoo from the Trevor Zoo in New York. Is in a modified exhibit and is across the Chilean Flamingos. Link is to news article :)

Edit: Just realized the article is older and will add Twitter posting about his debut today.

https://www.ksby.com/news/local-news/red-panda-joins-the-santa-barbara-zoo-family

https://twitter.com/santabarbarazoo/status/1689710851576709121?s=46&t=Mob57CJ3T6LytRVz2WYLuA
 
Last edited:
3 Pieces of 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On July 29th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) Nigerian dwarf goats were born.

The Barnyard’s boppin’ this week after... - Santa Barbara Zoo

On April 10th, it was reported that the zoo leased 1.4 acres at California State University Channel Islands in California to build a new conservation center, housing the majority of the facility's conservation plans. This will be the first university facility that is owned and operated by an AZA facility.

Santa Barbara Zoo to open conservation center at CSU Channel Islands

On August 2nd, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Luzon bleeding-heart dove hatched which is now on exhibit.

Have you spotted the bleeding-heart... - Santa Barbara Zoo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On September 3rd, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) emu named Jellybean which is now on exhibit.

Jellybean is on the scene! Come... - Santa Barbara Zoo
 
0.1 Masai giraffe calf was born on November 2nd to parents, Adia and Michael (who passed away earlier this year). This calf is the last of Michael’s offspring.

Santa Barbara Zoo on Instagram: "Last Thursday there was a BIG event at the Zoo... Adia the Masai giraffe gave birth to a female calf at 3:13 PM! The calf was able to stand after about 23 minutes, then followed her mother around and attempted to nurse within two hours. This is Adia’s third calf and according to Dr. Julie Barnes, the Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Care & Health, she is “once again showing excellent maternal behavior.” At its first medical exam, the calf weighed 69 kg (152 lb.) and measured approximately 6 feet, 1 inch tall. “We are always excited to welcome another calf to our herd, but this one carries extra special significance, as she is the last offspring of our beloved giraffe Michael, who we lost earlier this year,” shared Barnes. “As we witness this calf’s strength and vitality, we are reminded that Michael’s legacy lives on, and our important work surrounding the conservation of this species continues.” Adia and her calf will remain behind the scenes for a short while to get to know each other and bond. In the meantime, enjoy this video of the calf taking some wobbly steps and some epic zoomies! : Keeper Ariel Alt-text: We introduce Adia the Masai giraffe’s newborn calf in this video! The big 6 feet and 1 inch tall baby can be seen standing by her mother, galloping about behind the scenes, and slurping up some green browse!"
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
The Masai giraffe calf born on November 2nd has been named Malia, which honors her parents, Adia and Michael (who passed away earlier this year), and also means "queen" in Swahili:

Santa Barbara Zoo on Instagram: "It’s official! The newest member of our Masai giraffe tower is named ! “” honors the calf’s parents, Michael & Adia. Malia also translates to “queen” in Swahili– fitting for this big baby that recently weighed in at over 250 lb! A giraffe-sized thank you to all who participated in our naming poll and to Malia’s Premier Foster Feeders Nora McNeely Hurley & Michael Hurley! Alt-text: A close-up of Malia the Masai giraffe. The youngest of our giraffes turns her head to the left of the frame. From this profile view, we can see her brown-spotted coat, short ossicones, and growing mane that runs down the back of her neck."
 
Piece of November 2023 News Not Mentioned:

On November 2nd, the zoo announced they moved (0.0.5) river cooters from the Tropical Aviary to the Wings of Asia Aviary.

Turtles on the march! We recently... - Santa Barbara Zoo

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On December 14th, the zoo announced that their (0.1) common raven named Merlin passed away at age 33 due to a decline in health caused by a multitude of issues.

With a heavy heart, the Santa Barbara... - Santa Barbara Zoo
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top