Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2022

[TinoPup]

Bligh me ... and right!

The description was more like for well to do incrowd than the general interest reader. Sometimes just naming the species or what animal we are dealing with really does help in clarifying a lot.

A few members got a little out of hand in last year's thread, dreaming of the entire area being converted to a giraffe pasture.

As @NAIB Volunteer said above, "updates" and other euphemisms just means stuff like repaving, fixing signage, cleaning up/putting in new plants, painting fences and buildings, things like that. Touch ups to make a place look fresh and fix any minor things.

 

[Andrew_NZP]

Yeah the CCS renovations isn't anything major. I'd guess she specifically mentioned it since it isn't all behind the scenes stuff and there would likely be some noticeable changes to visitors.

The renovations were described like this in the Smithsonian's budget request* from last year.

"The Smithsonian requests $4.7 million in FY 2022 to begin renovating the Cheetah Conservation Station at the NZP in Washington, DC. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, storm, and sanitary systems will be replaced, as well as the sidewalks and shelters in the yards. Due to erosion caused by intense storm run-off, the structural foundations for the station must be replaced and raised up to prevent future deterioration. Additional stormwater management site work is required to address the intense downpours that are responsible for the foundation erosion. The current containment fence, visitor barriers, and security systems need to be replaced to meet important AZA code requirements, reduce the deferred maintenance backlog, and improve visitor views of the cheetahs. Some additional structural alterations are also required to meet best practices in animal welfare and management of their habitats and housing."

"Pre-design services were awarded in March of 2021. The design will focus heavily on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) system upgrades, along with related building infrastructure improvements, stormwater management and yard renovations, added containment fencing, and pedestrian surface repairs."

*https://www.si.edu/sites/default/fi...2022congressionaljustificationbook5-24-21.pdf (page #233)

 

[DavidBrown]

Yeah the CCS renovations isn't anything major. I'd guess she specifically mentioned it since it isn't all behind the scenes stuff and there would likely be some noticeable changes to visitors.

What became of the plan to build a bull elephant yard and holding? Did that get shelved along with the parking structure plan?

 

[StoppableSan]

What became of the plan to build a bull elephant yard and holding? Did that get shelved along with the parking structure plan?

The bull elephant yard got built, the holding I'm pretty sure was already done...?

 

[Sarus Crane]

"The Smithsonian requests $4.7 million in FY 2022 to begin renovating the Cheetah Conservation Station at the NZP in Washington, DC. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, storm, and sanitary systems will be replaced, as well as the sidewalks and shelters in the yards. Due to erosion caused by intense storm run-off, the structural foundations for the station must be replaced and raised up to prevent future deterioration. Additional stormwater management site work is required to address the intense downpours that are responsible for the foundation erosion. The current containment fence, visitor barriers, and security systems need to be replaced to meet important AZA code requirements, reduce the deferred maintenance backlog, and improve visitor views of the cheetahs. Some additional structural alterations are also required to meet best practices in animal welfare and management of their habitats and housing."

It's not too late to redesign the area into Ethiopia as been suggested here.

 

[IndianRhino]

A 4-year old female ostrich named Linda has arrived at the zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. Keepers are still working on introducing her to her new habitat and she will make her public debut soon.

Meet Our New Ostrich, Linda!

Four Australian snake-necked turtles hatched between October 13th to 20th, 2021 at the zoo's Reptile Discovery Center. These are the zoo's first hatchlings in 9 years and the zoo now has 15 snake-necked turtles (including the hatchlings).

These Teeny, Tiny Turtle Hatchlings Fit in the Palm of Your Hand

In much sadder news: Betty, the zoo’s 67 year old Caribbean flamingo and the oldest Caribbean flamingo in the North American population, was found dead in her habitat on January 25th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZknuLYME8_/?utm_medium=copy_link

Also, just realized this is my 1000th post on ZC!

 

[Sarus Crane]

In much sadder news: Betty, the zoo’s 67 year old Caribbean flamingo and the oldest Caribbean flamingo in the North American population, was found dead in her habitat on January 25th.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CZknuLYME8_/?utm_medium=copy_link

I hope the keepers will be ok and that perhaps they can make a tribute to her like how they did to commemorate Alice the Stanley Crane's leg injury healing progress!

 

[Andrew_NZP]

Alice, a 7 year old Stanley crane died on Jan. 28 during surgery to correct a limb deformity she had developed

Stanley Crane Dies at Smithsonian’s National Zoo

 

[Smaggledagle]

I hope the keepers will be ok and that perhaps they can make a tribute to her like how they did to commemorate Alice the Stanley Crane's leg injury healing progress!

This post did not age well in the slightest lol.

 

[Sarus Crane]

This post did not age well in the slightest lol.

Totally agree! But how would I have known? I didn't.

 

[red river hog]

Is the subspecific status of the two captive-born elephants known? I’m aware that the others were born in Sri Lanka, but does anyone know what the other two are?

 

[Elephant Enthusiast]

Is the subspecific status of the two captive-born elephants known? I’m aware that the others were born in Sri Lanka, but does anyone know what the other two are?

Spike is an Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus). His parents, Dalip and Seetna, were born in India.
Maharani is a Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus). Her parents, Bandara and Kamala, were born in Sri Lanka.

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Spike is an Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus). His parents, Dalip and Seetna, were born in India.
Maharani is a Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus). Her parents, Bandara and Kamala, were born in Sri Lanka.

There has been a good deal of research into Sri Lankan elephants here and there. Trade in the species has gone on for centuries with India across as well as f.i. Myanmar. Hence, we cannot begin to speak off a Sri Lankan subspecies. They have become evidently too mixed up with their mainland counterparts.

Now the sea way between Sri Lanka and the southern Indian Federal States of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh is not that large. Quite frequently, elephants have been known here to go for a swim in the sea. One wonders how this behaviour has come about (the erstwhile landbridge when sea levels where lower ...)?

 

[Zoofan15]

The Cheetah cubs (2.3) have been named:

#CheetahCubdate 14: The Cubs Have Names!

The cubs have been named: 3D, Kushoma, Zura, Kuba and Kuki.

Males 3D and Kushoma were named by two generous donors. The name 3D has great significance to the donor’s family. It reflects the creative, unconventional and mischievous spirit they saw in the cheetah cubs. Kushoma means rare in Shona. The Shona language is spoken in Zimbabwe, which is one of the countries where the Southern African cheetah population is found. Other countries include Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Mozambique.

Two of Rosalie’s other cubs also have Shona names. Smithsonian National Zoo members voted to name one of the female cubs “Zura” and the third male cub “Kuba.” Zura means sun and Kuba means stealthy.

The fifth cub, Kuki, was named by us cheetah keepers, who were inspired by names submitted by elementary school classes. Her name means cookie in Swahili.

 

[geomorph]

Here is an article interviewing the zoo's director:

Smithsonian's National Zoo | Director Brandie Smith | blooloop

 

[MidwestFan]

Any updates on the elephant import?

 

[Jambo]

Any updates on the elephant import?

An application was put in back in October. Although they were apparently waiting for both cows to fall pregnant first, before their departure.

They should be arriving very soon though; definitely during this year unless there are drawbacks.

 

[StoppableSan]

An application was put in back in October. Although they were apparently waiting for both cows to fall pregnant first, before their departure.

They should be arriving very soon though; definitely during this year unless there are drawbacks.

Did Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh end up pregnant?

 

[IndianRhino]

Did Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh end up pregnant?

I would assume so since Fahim was recently transferred from Rotterdam to Copenhagen. I'm fairly certain the girls will arrive at Smithsonian before the end of the year as long as they don't cancel or delay the import. Would be amazing to see some elephant calves at Smithsonian again, it's *only* been 20 years since the last one was born!

 

[Zoofan15]

Did Trong Nhi and Nhi Linh end up pregnant?

I would assume so since Fahim was recently transferred from Rotterdam to Copenhagen. I'm fairly certain the girls will arrive at Smithsonian before the end of the year as long as they don't cancel or delay the import. Would be amazing to see some elephant calves at Smithsonian again, it's *only* been 20 years since the last one was born!

I would imagine the application was put in once pregnancy was confirmed - with the aim of transit taking place when they’re far enough along in the pregnancy to be out of the high risk of miscarriage zone; but no so far gone, transit is a strain on a heavily expectant mother.

Considering gestation is 22 months, this gives them a relatively wide window to work with - tying in with at least all of the second half of 2022 (if they indeed conceived late 2021).