Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2013

The National Zoo is breeding lots of Kori bustards but how large was the founder-population. Are there other breeders in the US and are they all releated to the Washington birds or is there a larger founder-population ?
 
vogelcommando said:
The National Zoo is breeding lots of Kori bustards but how large was the founder-population. Are there other breeders in the US and are they all releated to the Washington birds or is there a larger founder-population ?
Click to expand...

I Know Toledo Zoo breeds them as well. Not sure if there related to the Smithsonian nationals pair though.
 
vogelcommando said:
The National Zoo is breeding lots of Kori bustards but how large was the founder-population. Are there other breeders in the US and are they all releated to the Washington birds or is there a larger founder-population ?
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, there are two on-show exhibits for the species so there's at least three or four on-exhibit (which I would assume would make 2.2) and probably a few more at the breeding center.

~Thylo:cool:
 
vogelcommando said:
The National Zoo is breeding lots of Kori bustards but how large was the founder-population. Are there other breeders in the US and are they all releated to the Washington birds or is there a larger founder-population ?
Click to expand...

Birmingham has an 11 month old male chick
 
In news from Calgary, Aslan and Baruti almost ended up in jail last weekend. With the severe flooding in Calgary, which flooded out the zoo, the zoo was prepared to move all 12 of its big cats to the courthouse holding cells if the need arose. No need to worry though, the flooding has subsided and the boys are fine and never had to be locked up. No word yet on the state of their exhibit. It could be weeks or months before they can go back on exhibit. If you want more info on the flooding and the near escape of the zoos hippos check out the Calgary Zoos page.
 
* According to the zoo's newsletter, their next project will be building a multi-leveled parking garage. The plan to break ground on it next month and it will go in the place of parking lot C. If I read correctly, the additional parking lots will no longer be in use once the parking garage is built and they can make bigger animal exhibits.
* The ground hornbill is on exhibit where the wallaby used to reside.
* Bozie, the female elephant from Baton Rouge, makes her debut tomorrow at 11 AM.
 
According to the zoo, Rusty escaped using the trees.

Also, one of the zoo's North Island Brown Kiwis may be getting ready to lay a late season egg!

~Thylo:cool:
 
The Fishing Cat kitten was named Wasabi. Wasabi's gender is still undetermined. Wasabi and Elektra are supposed to go on exhibit in September.
Hank is slowly getting comfortable with his exhibit, and is exploring a little bit more of it each day.
 
* Hank's (sloth bear cub) viewing time has switched from 8:30-10:30 am to 9:30-11:30 am. I learned this the hard way.
* The bobcats are not on exhibit and there's a sign stating this. I noticed their animal fact sign to be hidden behind their exhibit. However, the layout has definitely changed from the time the coati were there. New furniture for the bobcats.
* Red Panda exhibit is getting work done for the next few days.
*One of the fishing cats exhibits is under repair for modifications.

I kind of wish they did not brag about having ALL their exhibit finally open in their latest newsletter. I hope they're up and running for the holiday weekend.
 
* Two female red river hogs will eventually be on exhibit. I think I heard they've been approve to mate with the male by SSP.
* The red river hog/sitatunga is starting to get a "lake" at the bottom of their exhibit. Rain is moving down the hill into this corner. Despite this not being in the actual design, the sitatungas are making use of it!
* The zoo intends on finding a new companion for the manned wolf so he is not lonely. I heard a zookeeper and docent discuss how they would have plenty to choice from if they got one from their conservation center, but apparently those ones are finicky and don't get along with strangers.
* Rusty and Shama have been approved to mate by the SSP. Rusty is very good at training and kept following his keeper around. I am relieved no one approached him when he was out in DC, I feel he may have followed them home if they showed him attention!
* The hornbills have not been approved yet to mate by the SSP, but I heard the male is affectionate towards the female.
* The wallaby and hornbills will continue to share their exhibit. She is quite old and I believe the zoo is waiting for her to die before adding a new animal to the exhibit. She's about 5 to 7 years past her species life expectancy in zoos. I believe when she is gone, that's when they will introduce the kudu on exhibit.
* Yesterday was the first day they allowed visitors up to the sloth bear exhibit glass (only in the area with the demonstration seating). Hanna ( the mother) showed signs of stress and ran up to the glass barking at guests. Hank was also climbing up in a tree which I think also made her worried. The zookeepers eventually sanctioned it off again and then created a new barrier just a foot or so away from the glass. The sloth bear keepers were there observing the bears and one said, "It's okay Hanna Banana" to soothe the mom. Eventually mom and baby became at ease and the keepers were quite surprised about the adaptation.
* Mei Xiang was outside yesterday so it looks like denning behavior has not started yet.
 
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