Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2021

NOVAElephantEnthusiast said:
Brandie Smith named new zoo Director
Brandie Smith Named Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute | Smithsonian Institution (si.edu)
Click to expand...

It feels like half the zoos in the USA have had a new director this year. In most cases, it’s been musical chairs explained by you have to be a director to be a director; but in this case, it’s nice to see them promoting from within. I’m sure she’ll continue the fantastic work this zoo does.
 
Zoofan15 said:
It feels like half the zoos in the USA have had a new director this year. In most cases, it’s been musical chairs explained by you have to be a director to be a director; but in this case, it’s nice to see them promoting from within. I’m sure she’ll continue the fantastic work this zoo does.
Click to expand...
Well they can't always be other zoo directors because then everytime someone retires you'd be one zoo director too short...
 
Neil chace said:
Well they can't always be other zoo directors because then everytime someone retires you'd be one zoo director too short...
Click to expand...

It wasn’t meant to be taken literally...

I was just saying it’s by no means been uncommon to hear “Doctor A has taken over as director of Zoo B, having previously been the director of Zoo C.”
 
I looked at the zoo's website recently and all the outside birds around the bird house from the Kori Bustards to cranes and even flamingos says they aren't accessible. Will they be accessible once again when the bird house reopens or will new species occupy these exhibits? I hope there will be bigger birds in the giant flight cage such as storks, spoonbills, shorebirds and others that can take advantage of the area and do well in DC's yearly weather. Maybe put a pair of Hooded Cranes (they have them at SCBI) in there like at Franklin Park Zoo and fill it up with other temperate oriental species like tragopans , pheasants, old world passerines and waterfowl.
 
Sarus Crane said:
I looked at the zoo's website recently and all the outside birds around the bird house from the Kori Bustards to cranes and even flamingos says they aren't accessible. Will they be accessible once again when the bird house reopens or will new species occupy these exhibits? I hope there will be bigger birds in the giant flight cage such as storks, spoonbills, shorebirds and others that can take advantage of the area and do well in DC's yearly weather. Maybe put a pair of Hooded Cranes (they have them at SCBI) in there like at Franklin Park Zoo and fill it up with other temperate oriental species like tragopans , pheasants, old world passerines and waterfowl.
Click to expand...

The Bird House will still have the flamingos, kori bustards, and cranes. They will also continue their work with kiwis.The Great Flight Cage to my knowledge is not getting much of a face lift, but the species list will change.

From the Zoo's press release about the Bird House renovations:
"The outside yards on the Plateau will continue to feature charismatic favorites such as Caribbean flamingos, ratites, cranes and kori bustards from the Zoo’s current collection. In the outdoor Great Flight Aviary, North American birds with conservation success stories, such as the wild turkey and wood duck, will complement other resident birds and offer an opportunity to learn how to bird watch within a temperate forest typical of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park."
 
NAIB Volunteer said:
The Bird House will still have the flamingos, kori bustards, and cranes. They will also continue their work with kiwis.The Great Flight Cage to my knowledge is not getting much of a face lift, but the species list will change.

From the Zoo's press release about the Bird House renovations:
"The outside yards on the Plateau will continue to feature charismatic favorites such as Caribbean flamingos, ratites, cranes and kori bustards from the Zoo’s current collection. In the outdoor Great Flight Aviary, North American birds with conservation success stories, such as the wild turkey and wood duck, will complement other resident birds and offer an opportunity to learn how to bird watch within a temperate forest typical of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park."
Click to expand...
It just seems weird that they're going with native species for the Great Flight Cage. People can see DC birds on the ground floor of the NMNH in the Birds of DC exhibit. Why not other exotic species?
 
Sarus Crane said:
It just seems weird that they're going with native species for the Great Flight Cage. People can see DC birds on the ground floor of the NMNH in the Birds of DC exhibit. Why not other exotic species?
Click to expand...

The whole theme for the new Bird House is Experiencing Migrations. Birds represented from North, Central, and South America (with the noted exceptions from above) will be represented. It's an important story to tell as upwards of 1 billion birds die annually in the US alone due to pollution, building strikes, and invasive species. Not sure what else to say other than it's not with the theme or educational messaging they'd like to tell.

Also, the Birds of DC exhibit is pretty cool - especially seeing some extinct NA birds. But it's sadly overlooked and not many people know it's on the ground floor.
 
Sarus Crane said:
It just seems weird that they're going with native species for the Great Flight Cage. People can see DC birds on the ground floor of the NMNH in the Birds of DC exhibit. Why not other exotic species?
Click to expand...

National Zoo does a lot of work with native birds, so I'm not surprised. Probably gives them more space to keep and display species they're working with.
 
Male Maned wolf, Mateo, has been moved to the Lee Richardson zoo under a SSP breeding recommendation. Does this just leave the zoo with Quito in the Maned wolf exhibit and an empty grey wolf exhibit? Or is it the opposite?
 
Polar bear fan said:
Male Maned wolf, Mateo, has been moved to the Lee Richardson zoo under a SSP breeding recommendation. Does this just leave the zoo with Quito in the Maned wolf exhibit and an empty grey wolf exhibit? Or is it the opposite?
Click to expand...

I imagine they'll move over one from SCBI, if Quito is open to living with another male. Not sure which exhibit he is currently in.
 
TinoPup said:
I imagine they'll move over one from SCBI, if Quito is open to living with another male. Not sure which exhibit he is currently in.
Click to expand...

The website says he lives on the American Trail, and they added signage to that exhibit (and while I didn't see any last time I was at the zoo, I definitely smelled one!)
 
Andrew_NZP said:
The website says he lives on the American Trail, and they added signage to that exhibit (and while I didn't see any last time I was at the zoo, I definitely smelled one!)
Click to expand...

I can confirm there's a manned wolf on exhibit in American Trail. I was there last Friday and he was walking around.
 
Now @Smaggledagle, are these turkeys planned to be either the replacement for the now deceased gray wolves, or are they going to be moving into the new bird house? Because if the former was correct, it would have certainly be quite the replacement, if you ask me. ;):rolleyes:
 
Austin the Sengi said:
Now @Smaggledagle, are these turkeys planned to be either the replacement for the now deceased gray wolves, or are they going to be moving into the new bird house? Because if the former is correct, it would certainly be quite the replacement, if you ask me. ;):rolleyes:
Click to expand...
The zoo moved their maned wolf to the American trail exhibit. The wild turkeys will live in the great flight aviary once the Bird House opens I believe.
 
Austin the Sengi said:
Now @Smaggledagle, are these turkeys planned to be either the replacement for the now deceased gray wolves, or are they going to be moving into the new bird house? Because if the former was correct, it would have certainly be quite the replacement, if you ask me. ;):rolleyes:
Click to expand...

It would probably be in the bird house, as that is where they teased it off as
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top