Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2019

Status
Not open for further replies.
Andrew_NZP said:
The NCPC will review and vote on the zoos supplemental perimeter fencing at their March 7th meeting.
Click to expand...

I missed this when I first read the presentation, but according to it the Smithsonian plans on updating the zoos current master plan soonish.

Notes that the SI has indicated its intent to conduct a comprehensive update to the NZP master plan in the future
Click to expand...
 
Zooplantman said:
Well there are enough circumstances when zoos announce that they will close early for a special (private) event or their own fund-raising gala.
Click to expand...

Very true. I was more making a joke out of it. I would imagine it'd cost quite a pretty penny to rent these zoo spaces.

~Thylo
 
Andrew_NZP said:
I missed this when I first read the presentation, but according to it the Smithsonian plans on updating the zoos current master plan soonish.
Click to expand...

Did the idea of building a parking garage so they could turn a parking lot into more zoo exhibit space for giraffes, rhinos, etc. go away? I remember there was some action on that last year. Also, what is going on with building a new elephant space for bull elephants? Is that still in the plan?
 
DavidBrown said:
Did the idea of building a parking garage so they could turn a parking lot into more zoo exhibit space for giraffes, rhinos, etc. go away? I remember there was some action on that last year. Also, what is going on with building a new elephant space for bull elephants? Is that still in the plan?
Click to expand...

The plans for the garage fell through. I believe it was deemed too expensive, and they would likely never get their money back. I presume the garage plan will be reviewed again once the master plan is updated.

Based on this, it seems the 'bull exhibit' turned into an expansion of 1st yard for a slightly expanded space, and an elephant enrichment/training area. As far as i'm aware this was approved. I haven't been to the zoo in a few months, so I have no clue if they started this, and for all I know it could totally be done now.
 
TinoPup said:
Especially sad for the loss of their main oryx.
Click to expand...
This is the natural order of things really. He - bull Rohit - seems to have been killed in a fight with a younger suitor and probably a new male will take over soon (pending also some AZA recommendations to that effect).

One of the other losses - a male whooping crane Alta was also quite notable. He was an important breeding partner for the recovery program and 3 chicks of his still reside at SCBI. Other chicks have become part of the release program already. He was only recently moved to the Front Royal site in mid December 2018 with his partner.

The 32-year old male died way past his prime and leaves his current female partner without a mate. The Center has 11 other birds in the newly opened center.

BTW: On December 16, 2018 the new Whooping Crane breeding complex opened. One pair was transferred from the NZP site and the other 5 mated pairs were transported from the Patuxent breeding center.
 
NCPC Approves Revised National Zoo Perimeter Fence Plans

Washington, DC—At its March 7 meeting the National Capital Planning Commission (NCPC) approved preliminary and final site development plans submitted by the Smithsonian Institution for supplemental perimeter fencing at the National Zoo , located in Northwest Washington, DC. The project was originally submitted in July 2018, but NCPC postponed action due to outstanding questions from the public and Commission regarding the need for the enhanced security measures.

The submission had two components. The first is the consolidation of visitor entry points to enhance safety and security, improve visitor wayfinding, and better protect the animals. The second component will close gaps in the existing perimeter fencing to better contain the zoo’s animals in the event of an escape and to protect them from surrounding wildlife.

The zoo currently has three vehicular entrances and 13 pedestrian entrances (three primary and 10 secondary). The revised plan will maintain the vehicular and three primary pedestrian entry points (Connecticut Avenue, bus lot drop off, and lower zoo) while decreasing the informal entry points to three while still providing direct access to/from Parking Lots A, B, and C. In addition, 4,205 feet of new fencing will fill in current gaps. All the fencing added will be similar in type to fencing already at the zoo.

The Smithsonian indicated that this revised submission responds to feedback received from local leaders, civic groups, and the public, and includes major changes such as eliminating permanent security screening pavilions from further consideration. Commissioners appreciated the National Zoo’s outreach to the public and it’s response to the concerns of the public and NCPC in the revised submission.

“This project it is greatly improved since the last time NCPC saw it,” said Commissioner Beth White.
Click to expand...

The rest of the article is about the other projects (not related to the zoo) they reviewed at the meeting, if you care at all about those.
 
Andrew_NZP said:
I presume the garage plan will be reviewed again once the master plan is updated.
Click to expand...

Guess I didn't pay enough attention to anything after the first line.

Notes that the SI has indicated its intent to conduct a comprehensive update to the NZP master plan in the future, which would include a transportation component that considers long-term parking needs and would revisit the idea of a structured parking facility.
Click to expand...
 
Per the zoos Facebook:

We are sad to share that our golden lion tamarin, Julie, died Sunday. Julie was 11 years old, which is elderly for the species. Golden lion tamarins live to be about 8 years old in the wild and can live to 15 years old in human care. She had been under veterinary care for renal failure and had been receiving treatment, but recently, she stopped responding to it. Due to her declining quality of life, keepers and veterinarians made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize her. Julie had lived at the Small Mammal House with her mate Diogo, who also died last week at the age of 18.
Click to expand...
 
From the zoos Facebook:

We have 5 new degu babies! Degus live in social groups and can often be found snuggled up in piles. Visit them at the Small Mammal House.
53921567_10157064041797902_3355421029378818048_o.jpg
Click to expand...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top