@HawkAlot, while you are right and the conversation is kinda off topic its also a very valid conversation for the development thread. We are counting down the last days of the domain. Legally I think it should be closed already but clearly they are allowed to keep it open for some reason. They wouldnt risk the fines.
I think what would happen if the Domain closed today is the raccoons will go to the Discovery Zone. There's not a great option but there are serviceable ones. Or well maybe just to see if I can have an aneurism Tundra Trek into the old arctic fox exhibit. This might be easier. Just install a roof an its totally enclosed.
The cougars are probably headed back to Assiniboine when they are ready. Teeka is old and Bowen is probably her replacement. We didnt go without cougars as long as we did because we needed to find one. Orphans are available every year and we could have easily enough got a sibling set or a lone cub which would have been way better than adult Bowen. Yes he's young but the zoo could have pumped up a cute sibling set of orphaned cubs and got the good press from taking in helpless orphans. The zoo didnt do that so I dont think we really replaced our cougars. I think we are just doing Assiniboine a favor.
The bison will just stay off display. I dont think they would use the wisent exhibit for even just a few male bison. The zoo typically likes to use that exhibit to serve as quarantine for incoming hoofstock and if needed its close to the health center for someone who might need to be closer for care. The zoo doesn't have an easy replacement if needed. Anything else the animal would have to be brought further into the zoo and would be closer to other animals. The zoo probably will miss this exhibit when its gone one day. Point is I can see the bison staying put. The zoo could offer a behind the scenes tour to see them for those interested the most in them. Plus when the Wilderness eventually opens if we havent seen bison in years it would almost be like a new species, thus creating interest.
Lastly would be grizzly Shintay. Honestly given her age why would you move her? Closing the domain to guests doesnt mean the animals have to move. They will just live off display. She could just live our her days in her home of 26 years with the keepers who love her. And I mean that's assuming the domain closes today. When they actually do close it she might already be gone. She's that elderly.
And as to whether we would get more grizzlies once the Wilderness opens while its not the plan that they showed us that doesnt mean they wont rethink it. When they did the master plan the only concrete things was the orangs outdoor and the entrance because one was being built and the other designed. The rest is just ideas that could easily be changed by the time they start designing and building. One never knows what the future might bring, especially this far away.
I think what would happen if the Domain closed today is the raccoons will go to the Discovery Zone. There's not a great option but there are serviceable ones. Or well maybe just to see if I can have an aneurism Tundra Trek into the old arctic fox exhibit. This might be easier. Just install a roof an its totally enclosed.
The cougars are probably headed back to Assiniboine when they are ready. Teeka is old and Bowen is probably her replacement. We didnt go without cougars as long as we did because we needed to find one. Orphans are available every year and we could have easily enough got a sibling set or a lone cub which would have been way better than adult Bowen. Yes he's young but the zoo could have pumped up a cute sibling set of orphaned cubs and got the good press from taking in helpless orphans. The zoo didnt do that so I dont think we really replaced our cougars. I think we are just doing Assiniboine a favor.
The bison will just stay off display. I dont think they would use the wisent exhibit for even just a few male bison. The zoo typically likes to use that exhibit to serve as quarantine for incoming hoofstock and if needed its close to the health center for someone who might need to be closer for care. The zoo doesn't have an easy replacement if needed. Anything else the animal would have to be brought further into the zoo and would be closer to other animals. The zoo probably will miss this exhibit when its gone one day. Point is I can see the bison staying put. The zoo could offer a behind the scenes tour to see them for those interested the most in them. Plus when the Wilderness eventually opens if we havent seen bison in years it would almost be like a new species, thus creating interest.
Lastly would be grizzly Shintay. Honestly given her age why would you move her? Closing the domain to guests doesnt mean the animals have to move. They will just live off display. She could just live our her days in her home of 26 years with the keepers who love her. And I mean that's assuming the domain closes today. When they actually do close it she might already be gone. She's that elderly.
And as to whether we would get more grizzlies once the Wilderness opens while its not the plan that they showed us that doesnt mean they wont rethink it. When they did the master plan the only concrete things was the orangs outdoor and the entrance because one was being built and the other designed. The rest is just ideas that could easily be changed by the time they start designing and building. One never knows what the future might bring, especially this far away.
