Smithsonian National Zoo Smithsonian National Zoo News 2022

Andrew_NZP said:
The red ruffed lemur, and the golden lion tamarin/sloth/green aracari exhibits were both empty and had paper covering most of the window. All the animals except the green aracari were signed at the exhibits outside in the back. The golden lion tamarins were back there back in July, but the others weren't. I don't know anything and there wasn't anybody to ask, but I'd guess they're doing some kind of work in those exhibits, otherwise why cover the windows in paper and not just put "nobody home" signs in the exhibits? Somewhat interestingly the sloths were signed in the same exhibit as the red ruffed lemurs (which is the old black howler exhibit) and not with the tamarins, though I didn't see any sloths.
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The two indoor exhibits are being worked on. Two weeks ago they had the red ruffed lemurs paired with one of the sloths, who stayed in the crate in the exhibit. A week ago I noticed the door to their holding area was opened and one of the sloths was hanging out back there. I believe it's the male sloth, Vlad, and I am guessing that their female sloth, Athena, is behind the scenes. It might have changed since last week, but the aracari was in the two male tamandua exhibit then.
 
blospz said:
That plan must have been altered. I heard the two cheetahs in Baltimore are staying there and the DC pair went to a zoo facility in Kansas (I wasn't told which one).
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Interesting! Thanks for the update.
 
During a keeper talk today the keeper said a mate has finally been found for Moyo, the zoos 14 year old Grevy's Zebra and he will be moving to the Bronx Zoo sometime next month. The zoo doesn't plan to acquire anymore zebras in the meantime as renovations to the area will begin sometime soon, and will take about 2 years, probably longer considering it is a federal project.
 
Andrew_NZP said:
During a keeper talk today the keeper said a mate has finally been found for Moyo, the zoos 14 year old Grevy's Zebra and he will be moving to the Bronx Zoo sometime next month. The zoo doesn't plan to acquire anymore zebras in the meantime as renovations to the area will begin sometime soon, and will take about 2 years, probably longer considering it is a federal project.
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When will the zoo reveal what these renovations will entail? I'm honestly surprised that they're already starting renovations on the African area, and I'm not entirely sure whether any expectations I have are justified or if I need to temper them...
 
StoppableSan said:
When will the zoo reveal what these renovations will entail? I'm honestly surprised that they're already starting renovations on the African area, and I'm not entirely sure whether any expectations I have are justified or if I need to temper them...
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If you're expecting giraffes, don't.

Species wise it seems like they're still in like a planning/discussion phase, but it sounded like it'd be mostly the same, since zebras, red river hogs and cheetahs were talked about in a way that made it seem like they'd be back, and the hornbills and vultures would be staying at the zoo while all other species would be leaving during construction. They did however mention wanting a better diversity of birds and hoofstock.

Also while I asked some questions afterwards, they just brought up the renovations during the keeper talk, so it doesn't seem like it's all meant to be a secret or anything, so you could probably just ask someone next time you're at the zoo or send them like an email or fill out one of the contact forms they have on their website and see if they'll answer you.
 
StoppableSan said:
When will the zoo reveal what these renovations will entail? I'm honestly surprised that they're already starting renovations on the African area, and I'm not entirely sure whether any expectations I have are justified or if I need to temper them...
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Yeah, no giraffes until the Zoo manages their parking situation better - so not anytime soon.

From the Smithsonian's FY2023

"The Smithsonian requests $5.0 million in FY 2023 to continue renovating the
Cheetah Conservation Station to include 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. As part of this revitalization, nearly all site and building infrastructure will be
replaced, which will restore operational functionality and support animal care needs. In
addition, due to erosion caused by intense storm run-off, the structural foundation for the
station must be replaced and raised up to prevent future deterioration. The containment
fence, visitor barriers, and security systems will be replaced in response to AZA
inspections and to reduce the deferred maintenance backlog. Structural improvements will be made to address the safety of maintenance workers and support best practices in
animal welfare and management of their habitats and housing."
 
Signage has been put back up for Rüppell's griffon vultures, and they will now be on exhibit with Linda the zoos ostrich. I didn't see them, so no clue if they're already on exhibit or if they've only just put the signage back up.

The zoos pygmy marmoset has been off-exhibit my last two visits, and after talking with a keeper it seems like their return might end up being short lived. Apparently he came with a sibling, but they ended up passing away, and they haven't been able to get another to pair with him, and it sounded likely that they'll probably end up sending him back to live with his family in the Bronx.

The zoos last Northern Luzon giant cloud rat was sadly put down, and their old exhibits have now been taken over by a pair of pygmy slow loris. I believe they said it was a breeding recommendation, but either way they're both currently a bit too young anyway.

Small Mammal House - Pygmy Slow Loris

Small Mammal House - Pygmy Slow Loris

September 29th, 2022
 
Any updates on when the new bird house will be opening? I feel like it's been in development for as long as I've been on this site and yet there is still no indication it'll be opening soon that I can find.
 
pachyderm pro said:
Any updates on when the new bird house will be opening? I feel like it's been in development for as long as I've been on this site and yet there is still no indication it'll be opening soon that I can find.
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The website just says 2023, so all we can do is hope that it opens before the sun dies.

In the meantime however they did do a sneak peek last year where they showed some construction photos if anyone is interested. Things probably look a bit different now considering the video was released a year ago.

 
Andrew_NZP said:
Signage has been put back up for Rüppell's griffon vultures, and they will now be on exhibit with Linda the zoos ostrich. I didn't see them, so no clue if they're already on exhibit or if they've only just put the signage back up.

The zoos pygmy marmoset has been off-exhibit my last two visits, and after talking with a keeper it seems like their return might end up being short lived. Apparently he came with a sibling, but they ended up passing away, and they haven't been able to get another to pair with him, and it sounded likely that they'll probably end up sending him back to live with his family in the Bronx.

The zoos last Northern Luzon giant cloud rat was sadly put down, and their old exhibits have now been taken over by a pair of pygmy slow loris. I believe they said it was a breeding recommendation, but either way they're both currently a bit too young anyway.

Small Mammal House - Pygmy Slow Loris

Small Mammal House - Pygmy Slow Loris

September 29th, 2022
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Devastated about the rats, loved those guys :(
 
pachyderm pro said:
Any updates on when the new bird house will be opening? I feel like it's been in development for as long as I've been on this site and yet there is still no indication it'll be opening soon that I can find.
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In the story about the zoos new owls posted by @Smaggledagle it says at the bottom:
"The Bird House is currently closed for renovations but stay tuned for opening news in early 2023."

I also contacted the zoo about it and this is the response I got:
"The new Bird area has certainly taken much longer than predicted! The word we have now is winter of 2023. But I guess no guarantees.."

So it seems like the current plan is for the area to open sometime in January-March.
 
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