Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2016
- Thread starter TZFan
- Start date
Hana, a 21-year-old sloth bear was euthanized on the 17th.
Geriatric Sloth Bear Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Geriatric Sloth Bear Dies at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The whole reason they renovated the elephant yard was because they thought the old yard was outdated and people were complaining that the animals needed more room.
Well, the elephant exhibit renovation and expansion was triggered by the fact that Kandula (the male elephant calf born at the NZP in 2001) was growing up and the zoo did not have facilities to contain adult bull. At least that's how it was explained at the time expansion was announced and all other elephant house species (giraffes, Indian rhinos, common and pygmy hippos, and capybaras) were sent away to make room. Of course plans change overtime, and the zoo decided to send Kantula away also and no longer has a bull elephant.
I volunteered at the zoo tonight for Boo at the Zoo, which is quite well done. I also met the director of FONZ which I wasn't expecting, but I'm certainly not complaining! 
With Bao Bao moving to China, the confirmed plan (all of which was assumed before) is that Bei Bei will take over her habitat (perhaps he'll actually use the outdoor portion) and every attempt will be made to produce another baby panda or two in the next breeding season.
Also, at the zoo's main entrance (Connecticut Avenue) has two new banners behind the sign. They have some of the zoo's animal icons, like the ones used on the map (flamingo to indicate bird house, fish for Amazonia, etc.) as well as those used to represent different conservation programs (kiwi, giant anteater, and so on).
With Bao Bao moving to China, the confirmed plan (all of which was assumed before) is that Bei Bei will take over her habitat (perhaps he'll actually use the outdoor portion) and every attempt will be made to produce another baby panda or two in the next breeding season.
Also, at the zoo's main entrance (Connecticut Avenue) has two new banners behind the sign. They have some of the zoo's animal icons, like the ones used on the map (flamingo to indicate bird house, fish for Amazonia, etc.) as well as those used to represent different conservation programs (kiwi, giant anteater, and so on).
A 23-year-old Andean bear named Cisco died this morning according to the zoos Facebook.
The zoo is trying to raise $100,000 by the end of the year for a new electric eel exhibit in Amazonia.
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo needs your help to build an ultimate electric eel experience: the Electronic Fishes Demonstration Lab, at the Amazonia exhibit. Electric eels can generate up to 860 volts in a matter of milliseconds to stun prey. This new multi-species exhibit, complete with LED lights, wave-form screen and speakers powered by the eel’s electric pulse, will demonstrate the frequency and power of the eel and the importance of biodiversity in the Amazon River basin.
You can help provide an unforgettable look at one of nature’s rare creatures –and an educational experience like no other to future generations of Zoo visitors.
Winter Appeal
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo needs your help to build an ultimate electric eel experience: the Electronic Fishes Demonstration Lab, at the Amazonia exhibit. Electric eels can generate up to 860 volts in a matter of milliseconds to stun prey. This new multi-species exhibit, complete with LED lights, wave-form screen and speakers powered by the eel’s electric pulse, will demonstrate the frequency and power of the eel and the importance of biodiversity in the Amazon River basin.
You can help provide an unforgettable look at one of nature’s rare creatures –and an educational experience like no other to future generations of Zoo visitors.
Winter Appeal
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dinosaur50
Well-Known Member
too bad going to miss it a lot
As will I. Hopefully the new exhibit is much nicer (even though the amount of exotic species will be much less.)
dinosaur50
Well-Known Member
i know that the sad part is a that the number exotic species will be much less.
That seems a bit excessive.
If I get a chance to visit the zoo again before then, I'll document every enclosure in the house so we can see how it changes. It will be a big difference.
What is? The fact that they're trying to raise it all by the end of the year? My mom read it before me and told me that. However after reading it (I read it after I posted it) it doesn't mention that. I would edit it but I guess you can't edit a comment more than once?
Well, that money could really be used elsewhere in the zoo for areas that need it more. I suppose it'll be cool but I'd much rather see the $100,000 spent on renovating some of the barren enclosures in the Reptile Discovery Center, or the empty former salamander exhibit on Asia Trail. I guess when the exhibit is built, we can determine whether or not it was money well spent.
dinosaur50
Well-Known Member
how about towards another bird house that like one now and one for Experience Migration,
Well the eel has been at the zoo since at least June so i'm sure they would like to do something with it.
Yeah the money could be used elsewhere, but they're raising money for the exhibit. It's not like they had $100,000 just lying around and thought this is what they should do with it.
Yeah the money could be used elsewhere, but they're raising money for the exhibit. It's not like they had $100,000 just lying around and thought this is what they should do with it.
While it would definitely be a good start. That wouldn't be anywhere close to enough to build a completely new one.
dinosaur50
Well-Known Member
I know but it can be done but not for that much
Experience Migration is supposed to cost around 20 million and they alreayd have a buildimg. Building a completely new building, new exhibits, acquiring animals and everything else would definitely cost a good chunk of money