Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park News 2022

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Zoo Tampa permits pulled/updates:
  • A pre-permit and preliminary plan review was submitted to add more parking and start to charge to parking:
Construct new parking to provide approx. 200 new parking spaces in multiple areas on zoo campus. Proposed Area 1 parking is currently zones RS-50. Reconfigure main entrance/exit on Sligh Ave. to be entrance only with toll booths and provide two lane exit drive to N. Boulevard. The current exist lane to Sligh Ave. will be eliminated.​
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  • As of January 4th 2022 the new "Zoo Tampa Baboon" habitat received the CO, so it is approved for its "intended use", INO, the major construction on the exterior that was permitted is complete.
  • Zoo Tampa pulled a demolition permit for demolishing the stingray habitat/feeding:
The demolition will primarily be for the following: Existing above grade concrete slab and stingray pond Small building that was used as a gift shop Open are canopy over stingray pond above Concrete slabs adjacent the pond Selective demolition of wood boardwalk Equipment serving the existing stingray pond (self contained system) Any plumbing will be capped for potential future use We do not anticipate the need to shut down electrical services at transformers safe off to be at branch panels Primary objective is to clear the existing open air structure and adjacent items to prep the area for a future habitat that is currently to be determined. Any additional demolition required for the new construction will be determined at a later date and incorporated into subsequent documents.​
 
The zoo announced developments for 2022 on Instagram via a video:
  • Wild Florida - expanded Black bear and panther habitats
  • New Stingray touch tank with underwater viewing.
  • Hamadryas Baboons
On a side note, permits were pulled for fire systems in the night house for the new panther and bear habitats.

Also, clearly the demolition permit for the stingray tank is to completely rebuild and replace it.
 
From the zoo membership email today:

The NEW Florida Wilds is set to open on March 3 and will feature spacious habitats for native species while also providing engaging moments of education and diversion for guests of all ages. Get closer than ever before to the animals that call Florida home, such as black bears, endangered Florida panthers, red wolves, alligators, skunks, flamingos and much more! Our valued members can be one of the first to experience Florida Wilds during regular park hours on March 1 & 2.

Also in March, check out a new species joining our popular Primate Realm, hamadryas baboons! This unique member of the Old World monkey family was a sacred animal to the ancient Egyptians and a representative of their god of learning. The group of six, who came to ZooTampa from New York's Prospect Park Zoo, will live in a sprawling, fully remodeled habitat featuring expansive viewing windows.
 
From the zoo Facebook page:

☺️Please join us in celebrating the arrival of two binturong cubs! These cuties were born on January 19 to mother Melati and father Sully. Mom and babies are all doing well, and we’re giving them some time to bond behind the scenes before the cubs make their public debut.

Binturongs are native to South and Southeast Asia. They are deemed vulnerable to extinction due to deforestation and the illegal wildlife trade, and the wild binturong population has declined by more than 30% since the 1980s.

Melati and Sully were paired through the Binturong Species Survival Plan, a cooperative breeding program overseen by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The pair’s previous cub, Kartika, was born in 2020 and still lives at the Zoo.
 
Does anyone know if ZT still holds Red River Hogs? I went on Saturday and they were not out, and they have removed them from the map on the app.
 
Florida resident here. I'm going to be visiting the Tampa area for a few of days and thinking about stopping at Zoo Tampa. Are there any very rare or unique animals/exhibits there?
 
SusScrofa said:
Florida resident here. I'm going to be visiting the Tampa area for a few of days and thinking about stopping at Zoo Tampa. Are there any very rare or unique animals/exhibits there?
Click to expand...
If you come, make it after this week. The new Wild Florida opens this week with fully renovated panther and black bear habitats as well as the new hamadryas baboon habitat.

If you want to do the jeep "ride" in Safari Africa, head straight there when the zoo opens. The line can be well over an hour later in the day.

Some more interesting, but not necessarily rare creatures/and nicer habitats:
Shoebill Stork
Tomistoma
Sulawesi Aviary
Florida Manatee (maybe not rare if you live in Fl, but overall)
Red wolf
Koala
Indigo Snake
Wild Dog (not a super rare animal, but one of the better habitats in Safari Africa)
 
SwampDonkey said:
If you come, make it after this week. The new Wild Florida opens this week with fully renovated panther and black bear habitats as well as the new hamadryas baboon habitat.

If you want to do the jeep "ride" in Safari Africa, head straight there when the zoo opens. The line can be well over an hour later in the day.

Some more interesting, but not necessarily rare creatures/and nicer habitats:
Shoebill Stork
Tomistoma
Sulawesi Aviary
Florida Manatee (maybe not rare if you live in Fl, but overall)
Red wolf
Koala
Indigo Snake
Wild Dog (not a super rare animal, but one of the better habitats in Safari Africa)
Click to expand...

Thanks for the suggestions, I've never actually seen Red Wolves before. Is Tampa the only facility that has them in Florida? And are they "pure" Red Wolves (well, as pure as an ancient coyote-wolf hybrid can be).
 
SusScrofa said:
Thanks for the suggestions, I've never actually seen Red Wolves before. Is Tampa the only facility that has them in Florida? And are they "pure" Red Wolves (well, as pure as an ancient coyote-wolf hybrid can be).
Click to expand...
They’re part of the SSP so yes, they’re as red wolf as it gets. Brevard Zoo and Jacksonville Zoo used to have them but don’t anymore
 
Kifaru Bwana said:
Any idea from where? Further plans with babirusa?
Click to expand...
ZT used to hold more of them, I know they had piglets at least once in the past. At one point in time ZT had a really good wild pig collection: Red river hogs, Visayan warty pigs, Babirusa, warthogs, and bearded pigs all at the same time.

Now they only hold babirusa and red river hogs as far as I am aware.
 
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