March 26 there was an info meeting for members, about the Wild For Life fundraising projects. It was excellent with close to an hour of Dr Crawshaw talking about past activities and successes and the future of the Health Centre, followed by questions, then he and the fundraisers mingled for another twenty minutes or so answering questions.
Some of the info (some may have appeared above):
Health Centre funds are still needed but with the city's commitment of fifteen million they are going ahead starting in October. Fully completing their plan depends on raising the funds, otherwise some aspects just won't be done. Artist drawings were on display. The most interesting feature was the Atrium for public viewing. It overlooks examining and surgical areas. This will be for private tours, members' tours, vet. students, etc. The Health Centre space will nearly double.
Orang expansion is not scheduled yet - fundraising first. Their plan will more than double the Orang living space and improve enrichment elements.
Other purposes of the fifty million fundraising: expanding the hippo exhibit, a Centre for Species Reproduction, Canadian Wilderness Region including a Boreal Forest biome, Mixed Woodland biome, and large interpretive centre.
Eurasia re-opening is probably July.
Panda cubs unlikely for a while - Er Shun is not cycling yet.
Other info I have picked up or seen myself lately:
Work has been going on inside the elephant house for about three weeks
A pair of Clouded Leopards are still scheduled to arrive sometime soon, according to a couple of volunteers.
Both Bettongs are still in the Health Centre and are being introduced there.
The Kookaburrra M acquisition fell through and the keeper I asked about it did not know what is happening with that now. The younger F is the one in the enclosed area because she was expected to breed with the new male.
The kangaroo exhibit tree damage has not been cleaned up yet because the area is still too soft to bring in the equipment.
The Macacques' roof is finally finished and they are back. They have been in the outdoor area of Malayan Woods on nice days but impossible to see.
Tree damage is being cleaned up seriously now - cut logs in several areas and machinery running all day.
Three adult Polar Bears in the pool today. Humphrey, now 5 months, was dipping his feet and nose in his pool and walking around it, then rolling in the grass - looking pretty scruffy.
Some of the info (some may have appeared above):
Health Centre funds are still needed but with the city's commitment of fifteen million they are going ahead starting in October. Fully completing their plan depends on raising the funds, otherwise some aspects just won't be done. Artist drawings were on display. The most interesting feature was the Atrium for public viewing. It overlooks examining and surgical areas. This will be for private tours, members' tours, vet. students, etc. The Health Centre space will nearly double.
Orang expansion is not scheduled yet - fundraising first. Their plan will more than double the Orang living space and improve enrichment elements.
Other purposes of the fifty million fundraising: expanding the hippo exhibit, a Centre for Species Reproduction, Canadian Wilderness Region including a Boreal Forest biome, Mixed Woodland biome, and large interpretive centre.
Eurasia re-opening is probably July.
Panda cubs unlikely for a while - Er Shun is not cycling yet.
Other info I have picked up or seen myself lately:
Work has been going on inside the elephant house for about three weeks
A pair of Clouded Leopards are still scheduled to arrive sometime soon, according to a couple of volunteers.
Both Bettongs are still in the Health Centre and are being introduced there.
The Kookaburrra M acquisition fell through and the keeper I asked about it did not know what is happening with that now. The younger F is the one in the enclosed area because she was expected to breed with the new male.
The kangaroo exhibit tree damage has not been cleaned up yet because the area is still too soft to bring in the equipment.
The Macacques' roof is finally finished and they are back. They have been in the outdoor area of Malayan Woods on nice days but impossible to see.
Tree damage is being cleaned up seriously now - cut logs in several areas and machinery running all day.
Three adult Polar Bears in the pool today. Humphrey, now 5 months, was dipping his feet and nose in his pool and walking around it, then rolling in the grass - looking pretty scruffy.
