Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2012

Updates:

Asia Trail - The red panda exhibit is blocked off both outside and inside. However, you can still view the outside exhibit from above. I think the female may be pregnant again and they are giving her privacy. Mei Xiang was also resting inside, and even though it was cooler yesterday, I still think it was probably because she enjoyed the air conditioning. I imagine it would be too soon for her to start showing signs of denning. The elephant exhibit continues to be worked on. There's a section they are working on by Elephant Trails near their trek walk ramp and American Trails. Is this for the elephant exhibit or for American Trails? The Asian small clawed otters make the exhibit come to life again and they are amazing to watch. The sloth bear continues to pace and the clouded leopard and male fishing cat are always great at hiding.

American Trails: The pools are filled with water and trees are being planted to spruce up the exhibit. It looks like some of the side exhibits were being revamped. It also looks like they are working on the pathway into the exhibit.

Bird House: It seems like their collection is getting smaller inside the bird house. Or else I was not noticing as many birds this time. However, they are a couple of empty exhibits and the kiwi exhibit is also closed off. But, much activity is going on in the outside bird yards. Many of the cranes had chicks with them.

Small Mammal House: During my past two visits, the river otters have not been seen outside in their exhibit. Maybe they are just off exhibit or being moved back into American Trails. I believe they moved the Asian small clawed otter sisters to another zoo. Their exhibit has no water in it and was filled in with substrate. It now belongs to the mongooses.

Big Cats: With the male tiger gone, the female tiger has one exhibit and the lions have the other two. The male lion and adult females have one to themselves and the cubs are in the other one.
 
blospz said:
Big Cats: With the male tiger gone, the female tiger has one exhibit and the lions have the other two. The male lion and adult females have one to themselves and the cubs are in the other one.
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The new male Tiger (from Atlanta) has now arrived and is in quarantine
 
Does anyone know if they plan to send off the lion cubs soon? Also, do they plan to send Pablo, the anteater back to Nashville soon too? I was finally able to spot one of the anteaters during this trip. Thanks to his long nose, I caught it sticking out in the bushes. The exhibit is very good at having privacy for the animals, but it seems every I have gone, you never see the anteater in their yard. I wish this area was connected with Amazonia as it's tucked in a random corner now. However, maybe it feels it's on the other side of it and I will grasp that better when the pathway there opens up to American Trails.
 
blospz said:
Updates:



American Trails: The pools are filled with water and trees are being planted to spruce up the exhibit. It looks like some of the side exhibits were being revamped. It also looks like they are working on the pathway into the exhibit.

Bird House: It seems like their collection is getting smaller inside the bird house. Or else I was not noticing as many birds this time. However, they are a couple of empty exhibits and the kiwi exhibit is also closed off. But, much activity is going on in the outside bird yards. Many of the cranes had chicks with them.

I cant wait to revisit this zoo when they reopen american trails. :)

That's a shame bout the bird house cause i rememeber my visit a year ago this was one of the best exhibit areas they have.
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Just noticed that the zoo is building a carousel near Lion/Tiger hill. There are a few photos on the zoo's Facebook page and there is a donation page with some more photos on the zoo's website.
Here's the text from Facebook with a link to the donation page:
The Smithsonian's National Zoo is building a fun new carousel for 2012! Featuring beloved endangered species such as giant pandas, clouded leopards and Panamanian golden frogs, the attraction will welcome visitors of all ages to Lion/Tiger Hill with delightful custom-designed animal figures and colorful scenery.
Help Build the Zoo's New Carousel - National Zoo| FONZ
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Bird House: It seems like their collection is getting smaller inside the bird house. Or else I was not noticing as many birds this time. However, they are a couple of empty exhibits and the kiwi exhibit is also closed off. But, much activity is going on in the outside bird yards. Many of the cranes had chicks with them.
Click to expand...

From what I understand a renovation of the Bird House may be in the zoo's near future.
 
The zoo has welcomed the hatching of two cuban crocs. This is the first hatching of the species in the past 25 years at the zoo.
 
The Cheetah cubs have been named Justin and Carmelita after the fastest Americans in the Olympics.
The Addra Gazelle fawn has been euthanized.:(
 
Mei Xiang is entering the final phase of her reproductive cycle; if she does not produce a cub in 40 or 50 days, China can replace the zoo's pandas.
 
Oh the suspense! I really hope she's able to have a cub this year. I would like both of them to stay.
 
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