Some updates from my visit two days ago:
- The grizzly bears are spending some time in their dens and some time outside. I was at the Northern Passage exhibit twice, the first time I did not see them but the second time later in the afternoon they were out and about. Also, the deep pool in the first exhibit they live in is currently empty.
- The zoo is looking for a new giraffe. Currently, Kesi and Caesar are still separated, and they have been for a very long time. Someone told me it’s because they don’t want them to breed at the moment. Kesi is around 12 or 13 years old, and the average lifespan for giraffes is around 15-20 years so she’s probably near the end of her breeding cycle by now. Caesar is around 16 or 17 by now, so he’s considered geriatric as far as giraffes go. I hope the zoo brings in a young, valuable female, especially considered Caesar’s age which can maybe increase likelihood of successful breeding, although I’m not even sure if the zoo wants to breed them soon.
- There are no more plans to get another Cape porcupine as Kayin is very old. It’s a shame the zoo never bred them considering Kayin and Kali were together for 14 years. Kali was originally brought as a companion for Kayin, not breeding. Despite his age, Kayin is much healthier than Kali was, he has no other preexisting medical issues except some age-related arthritis not uncommon in an animal his age. I’m not sure how old exactly he is, but he has always been older than Kali and has outlived her although Kali was also old when she died.
- The aviaries are still closed to the public although all the birds are in there by now. People can see them outside the aviary through the mesh.
- The blue duiker were off exhibit on my visit. I’m not sure why, maybe the cold temperatures considering it was only like 50 degrees.
- There are two elderly male goats in the yard next to the Cotswold sheep. They are both around 12-13 years old which is very old for goats. Frankie, the chestnut-colored one has allergies as well as weight loss. Lieutenant, the darker brown one is mainly in there as a companion for Frankie, but both he and Frankie are in there also because they dont have as much energy as the other goats in the Goat Corral because they’re so old so they are essentially ‘’retired’, but still on public display.
- I was wondering how old Harry and Lloyd the donkeys are by now, because people were saying a number of animals in the Farmyard are getting up there in age including the donkeys. The keeper is new and wasn’t sure their exact ages, but he said he estimates they’re both around 13. Considering their average lifespan of 25-30 years that’s still pretty middle aged. That’s honestly surprising, they probably came at a very young age.
