Wildlife World Zoo & Aquarium Wildlife World News

Chlidonias said:
I was expecting that to be a common species with the wrong name, but it does indeed look to be a C. melanurus! I wonder where it came from (or, probably more aptly, how common these are in private hands in America).
Click to expand...

My understanding is this is a species that's just started to be imported into the US private trade within the last couple years. "Mandalay Farms" in Florida(?) keeps one.

~Thylo
 
SwampDonkey said:
A new tiger habitat is under construction as well as stadium seating for the Wildlife Encounter show.
Log in or sign up to view
Click to expand...
I've got some updates of my own:
  • The Elands have seemingly replaced the Grevy's Zebras in the Safari Park.
  • There was only one Onager.
  • The "walk-through aviary" in the 2018 Safari Park expansion is still not built.
  • I only saw one Arctic Fox, one Tayra, and one Greater Grison in Adventure Land.
  • Speaking of Adventure Land, does that part of the zoo have bad irrigation or something? When I visited on Wednesday, the Alpaca paddock was absolutely flooded! And when I visited in December of 2020, the Cougar habitat was flooded.
  • No Reticulated Python in Dragon World (but the Green Anaconda was sliding into their pool and it was definitely the highlight of the trip)
  • The Walkaroo Kangabout was closed for the day.
  • There's now a wall near the primate row in the main zoo (probably to prevent the guests from getting too close to the animals). I also the Coatis for the first time ever!
  • The boardwalk is in dire need of repairs. I felt like I was going to fall or trip the whole way across.
All in all, Wildlife World Zoo may be a dump, but I still like it and I'm glad that it is improving (in some areas). The nicest thing I can say about it at the moment is that it's "pretty fly for a roadside."
 
Corangurilla said:
I've got some updates of my own:
  • The Elands have seemingly replaced the Grevy's Zebras in the Safari Park.
  • There was only one Onager.
  • The "walk-through aviary" in the 2018 Safari Park expansion is still not built.
  • I only saw one Arctic Fox, one Tayra, and one Greater Grison in Adventure Land.
  • Speaking of Adventure Land, does that part of the zoo have bad irrigation or something? When I visited on Wednesday, the Alpaca paddock was absolutely flooded! And when I visited in December of 2020, the Cougar habitat was flooded.
  • No Reticulated Python in Dragon World (but the Green Anaconda was sliding into their pool and it was definitely the highlight of the trip)
  • The Walkaroo Kangabout was closed for the day.
  • There's now a wall near the primate row in the main zoo (probably to prevent the guests from getting too close to the animals). I also the Coatis for the first time ever!
  • The boardwalk is in dire need of repairs. I felt like I was going to fall or trip the whole way across.
All in all, Wildlife World Zoo may be a dump, but I still like it and I'm glad that it is improving (in some areas). The nicest thing I can say about it at the moment is that it's "pretty fly for a roadside."
Click to expand...

the flooded paddocks is due to a common technique in Arizona called flood irrigation. I would bet the irrigation is working exactly as intended
 
Corangurilla said:
All in all, Wildlife World Zoo may be a dump, but I still like it and I'm glad that it is improving (in some areas). The nicest thing I can say about it at the moment is that it's "pretty fly for a roadside."
Click to expand...
That sounds about right from what I understand. Being a private zoo makes things different, and they are one of the better private zoos, certainly one of the largest.
 
Other 2022 News:

On January 2nd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) Asian small-clawed otter named Marlin was born.

Log into Facebook

On January 3rd, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2+) gar (species not specified), (0.0.2+) red-bellied piranhas, and (0.0.2+) giant black pacu, which are now on exhibit in the River Monsters exhibit.

Log into Facebook

On February 25th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) common squirrel monkeys were born.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=444580024024957

On March 6th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) black swans hatched.

Log into Facebook

On March 14th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) black-necked swans hatched.

Log into Facebook

On March 16th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2+?) Arabian oryx were born.

Log into Facebook

On March 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Geoffroy's spider monkey (species not specified) was born.

Log into Facebook

On March 30th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.0.1) fuzzy dwarf lionfish and a (0.0.1) Fu Manchu lionfish, both of which are now on exhibit in the Predators building.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=718573882840671

On April 3rd, the zoo announced they are constructing new exhibits for their tigers as well as for green iguanas.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=396920061862340

On April 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Nile lechwe was born.

Log into Facebook

On April 27th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) ring-tailed lemur was born.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1404428999997645

On May 27th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Sika deer was born.

Log into Facebook

On June 20th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) black-handed spider monkey was born. On August 30th, the zoo announced its gender (0.1) and name, Poppy.

Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook

On July 24th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) African penguin named Pearl hatched on April 25th.

Log into Facebook

On July 27th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) bonnethead shark named Sheba.

https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=574989261018821

On August 1st, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) nyala was born which is now on exhibit. On September 14th, the zoo announced its name, Buddy.

Log into Facebook
Log into Facebook

On August 3rd, the zoo announced that (0.0.3) capybara were born.

Log into Facebook

On August 4th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) olive baboon named Teshi was born.

Log into Facebook

On August 25th, the zoo announced that a (0.1) greater kudu named Feline was born.

Log into Facebook

*I might have missed some births or arrivals from these species: bobcat, red-eared slider, and Indian peafowl.
 
I was visiting Phoenix for a wedding and took a day to spend at this zoo. As you who know the place already know, the quality of the exhibits varies tremendously. Overall, the sheer size of the collection (# of species and total # of specimens) is impressive, although the number of species displayed as singlets was disappointing. Am a lifelong zoogoer, to zoos all over the U.S. and Europe, and saw a fair number of species I've either never seen before or seen only rarely. And as long as we're talking about sheer size, the many large yards in the newer parts are also impressive (although something of a chore to walk by on a ninety-eight degree day!). A fair number of the large mammal yards were largely flooded so, as the discussion above suggests, it's either irrigation or a drainage issue. The pygmy hippos certainly were enjoying their flooded yard! The arrangement of exhibits and choices for some of the mixed species groups will give you zoogeographical whiplash, though--some weird combinations and juxtapositions. Was delighted to see the variety of hoofed stock in a day and age when the average zoo has far fewer such species than in the past. Given the number of baby animals, it's clear that the collection must be well cared for. In the reptile and small mammal houses, the top cages are hard to see into even for a full grown adult--they're awfully high up. Was most disappointed by the many bird cages, which are primitive: grotesquely barren and by modern standards small, like relics from the menagerie era of zoo keeping. For birds as intelligent as macaws, the cages are downright cruel. The cages for the gibbons are also, IMHO, substandard and disappointing. I am also skeptical of the island enclosures for the spider monkeys and capuchins. Most of those monkeys seem to be spending most of their time on the ground, indicating they're not fond of the trees that are there. It was interesting to see how a private zoo approaches things.
 
Gomphothere said:
Given the number of baby animals, it's clear that the collection must be well cared for. In the reptile and small mammal houses, the top cages are hard to see into even for a full grown adult--they're awfully high up. Was most disappointed by the many bird cages, which are primitive: grotesquely barren and by modern standards small, like relics from the menagerie era of zoo keeping. For birds as intelligent as macaws, the cages are downright cruel. The cages for the gibbons are also, IMHO, substandard and disappointing. I am also skeptical of the island enclosures for the spider monkeys and capuchins. Most of those monkeys seem to be spending most of their time on the ground, indicating they're not fond of the trees that are there. It was interesting to see how a private zoo approaches things.
Click to expand...

Well Wildlife World does seem to take okay care of its animals, but there does tend to be some rotation of species. They have been implicated in the illegal trade several times and are known to have some not so good ties unfortunately. This does play in to the so-so exhibits of the species.
 
Gomphothere said:
I was visiting Phoenix for a wedding and took a day to spend at this zoo. As you who know the place already know, the quality of the exhibits varies tremendously. Overall, the sheer size of the collection (# of species and total # of specimens) is impressive, although the number of species displayed as singlets was disappointing. Am a lifelong zoogoer, to zoos all over the U.S. and Europe, and saw a fair number of species I've either never seen before or seen only rarely. And as long as we're talking about sheer size, the many large yards in the newer parts are also impressive (although something of a chore to walk by on a ninety-eight degree day!). A fair number of the large mammal yards were largely flooded so, as the discussion above suggests, it's either irrigation or a drainage issue. The pygmy hippos certainly were enjoying their flooded yard! The arrangement of exhibits and choices for some of the mixed species groups will give you zoogeographical whiplash, though--some weird combinations and juxtapositions. Was delighted to see the variety of hoofed stock in a day and age when the average zoo has far fewer such species than in the past. Given the number of baby animals, it's clear that the collection must be well cared for. In the reptile and small mammal houses, the top cages are hard to see into even for a full grown adult--they're awfully high up. Was most disappointed by the many bird cages, which are primitive: grotesquely barren and by modern standards small, like relics from the menagerie era of zoo keeping. For birds as intelligent as macaws, the cages are downright cruel. The cages for the gibbons are also, IMHO, substandard and disappointing. I am also skeptical of the island enclosures for the spider monkeys and capuchins. Most of those monkeys seem to be spending most of their time on the ground, indicating they're not fond of the trees that are there. It was interesting to see how a private zoo approaches things.
Click to expand...
Thanks for the review, I am heading there at the end of the month, so it is nice to see a recent review.
 
Gomphothere said:
Give yourself plenty of time, it's over 200 acres, don't forget sun protection and to drink plenty of water unless it's unseasonably cool when you're there.
Click to expand...
Thanks! We set aside the whole day, and we will be there at opening. I did not realize it was 200 acres, that is huge.

Do you have any pictures you can upload? The most recent ones here are from 2020.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top