Santa Barbara Zoo Santa Barbara Zoo News

snowleopard said:
The zoo is renovating its Gorilla exhibit over the course of an 8-10 week construction schedule. There will be new rockwork, trees, plumbing, etc.

Santa Barbara Zoo Welcomes 2 New Condors, Temporarily Closes Gorilla Habitat | Local News | Noozhawk
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The zoo also brought in two more Californian condors from LA Zoo (no.'s 19 and 20).

The Santa Barbara Zoo does not breed Californian condors themselves. It seems they are more a halfway station for release or transfer to one of the other breeding institutions and public awareness building ..., right?
 
snowleopard said:
The zoo is renovating its Gorilla exhibit over the course of an 8-10 week construction schedule. There will be new rockwork, trees, plumbing, etc.

Santa Barbara Zoo Welcomes 2 New Condors, Temporarily Closes Gorilla Habitat | Local News | Noozhawk

There are two photos on Cemrock's Facebook page showing early work in the Gorilla yard:

Cemrock
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On March 18th, the zoo announced that renovations are complete and the gorillas are back on exhibit.

THE BOYS ARE BACK ALERT! Western lowland gorillas Bangori and Nzinga are back after extensive habitat remodeling! While the gorilla habitat was getting new plumbing, new rockwork, a new stream/pool system, and new climbing structures (like large tree limbs), the gorillas were behind the scenes spending extra time with their keepers and experiencing an extensive enrichment plan. The cave viewing area is still undergoing remodeling and is currently closed but is expected to open in the next several weeks. Be sure to stop by and say hello to the “boys” in their newly enhanced home! & ( ) . : Keeper Ariel Alt-text: A reel showcasing Western lowland gorillas Bangori and Nzinga exploring their newly remodeled habitat! We see the gorilla brothers checking out their new digs, drinking out of the stream and pool fixture, and getting their leafy greens. | Santa Barbara Zoo | Santa Barbara Zoo · Original audio

On March 20th, the zoo announced that their (1.0) Asian water monitor named RJ passed away on March 19th due to a decline in health caused by severe arthritis and spinal cord compression.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
Other 2024 News:
On June 19th, the zoo announced they released ~800 California red-legged frogs into the wild in May.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On July 10th, the zoo announced they hatched and released 11 western snowy plovers into the wild.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On April 24th, the zoo announced they moved their (1.0) Burmese python Chief from its bts exhibit to its new exhibit in the Tropical Aviary.

Ssssay hello to Chief the Burmese python! Our resident Burmese python Chief recently moved from his habitat behind the scenes and now slithers about... | By Santa Barbara ZooFacebook

On June 4th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) bald eagle named Amelia from the Memphis Zoo in Tennessee in April which is on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On June 18th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) rhinoceros hornbill named Java from the Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium in Missouri in April which is on display in between Wings of Asia and Gibbon Island.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On July 2nd, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) Channel Island fox named Sylvie to The Living Desert in California (after they initially rescued said fox in September 2023).

The Living Desert

On July 30th, the zoo announced they opened a new interactive building called the Richard Block Conservation Hub to the public on July 25th.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
On September 11th, the zoo announced they hatched out and released 6 western snowy plovers back into the wild on September 4th.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On August 29th, the zoo announced they acquired (2.0) Inca terns which are on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On August 30th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) toco toucan which is on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On September 14th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Chilean flamingo hatched which is on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

Smaggledagle said:
On February 15th, it was reported that the zoo's president and CEO, Rich Block, will retire at the end of January 2025 and the facility is currently looking for a successor.

Santa Barbara Zoo President & CEO Rich Block Announces Retirement in 2025, National Search Has Begun
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On September 27th, the zoo announced they hired Charles Hopper as the next President & CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo, in which he begins on January 6th, 2025. His resume includes being the COO of the Birch Aquarium in California, as well as holding multiple positions at the Seattle Aquarium in Washington.

Santa Barbara Zoo
Santa Barbara Zoo Names Charles Hopper as Next President & CEO

On October 16th, the zoo announced they acquired 2 California tiger salamanders which are on display in the Rattlesnake Canyon area.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
From the Zoo's Facebook: Female Amur leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) Marta moved to the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo (Cleveland, Ohio) at the end of January on a breeding recommendation made by the GSMP.

From the Zoo's Facebook: The Santa Barbara Zoo has welcomed a new President and CEO, Charles Hopper. His previous experience includes Chief Operating Officer at Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institution of Oceanography and Senior Business Operations Manager at the Seattle Aquarium.
 
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PEETA the Asian Small-clawed Otter has passed away at the respectable age of 17.
Santa Barbara Zoo on Instagram: "We sadly said good-bye to Peeta the Asian small-clawed otter yesterday. At 17 years old, Peeta was geriatric and experiencing age-related medical conditions such as blindness, degenerative joint disease, and kidney stones (common in these otters). The last few months his conditions worsened, then took a rapid decline in the last 48 hours, so the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him. Peeta was four years old when he arrived at the Zoo in 2012, and sired two litters with Gail, resulting in many offspring (including grandpups). Peeta delighted our staff and guests and was an excellent ambassador for otters in human care and their wild counterparts. Deepest thanks to the Zoo’s animal care and health team, past and present, who have cared for Peeta over the years. We’ll miss you, buddy. Alt-text: A black and white portrait of Peeta the Asian small-clawed otter lying on a wooden log in his habitat at the Zoo."
 
Other Late 2024 News Not Mentioned:

On November 26th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) western grey kangaroo named Cornelius from the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Ohio which is on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On December 18th, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (1.0) southern three-banded armadillo to the Los Angeles Zoo in California.

https://lazoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Zoo-Commission-MINUTES-9.10.24-FINAL.pdf

On December 23rd, the zoo announced they reopened the Masai giraffe exhibit (which was closed since mid-November) to the public, which saw the addition of a new pool and new plantings inside the exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo

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On March 7th, the zoo announced they renovated the giraffe deck structure which is now back open to the public.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On March 14th, the zoo announced their (0.1) lar gibbon named Jasmine passed away at age 47 due to a decline in health.

Santa Barbara Zoo

On April 5th, the zoo announced that 2 Luzon bleeding-heart doves hatched in March.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
Piece of April 2025 News Not Mentioned:
Smaggledagle said:
On September 14th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) Chilean flamingo hatched which is on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo
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On April 23rd, the zoo announced they named the flamingo Mar Chiquita.

3.1K views · 132 reactions | Mar Chiquita the Chilean flamingo made a marvelous comeback! Learn about flamingo breeding season at the Zoo and how a hospitalized flamingo chick... | By Santa Barbara Zoo | Facebook

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On May 9th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) Amur leopard named Tamur from the San Diego Zoo in California which is now on exhibit.

Santa Barbara Zoo
 
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