Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park News 2023

SwampDonkey said:
The Amazon's? If so they were all sent back to the private breeder that lent them to the zoo.
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Yep, that's the ones. I type faster than I think sometimes and use a pronoun when I should really use a proper noun for clarity, lol.

That makes a lot more sense, I figured they were being put in the back with the flyover macaws or something. But they were nice while they lasted!
 
Rijin said:
Yep, that's the ones. I type faster than I think sometimes and use a pronoun when I should really use a proper noun for clarity, lol.

That makes a lot more sense, I figured they were being put in the back with the flyover macaws or something. But they were nice while they lasted!
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Yeah, I miss them a lot, they were my favorite species of bird there. They were on a breeding loan from a private holder, the zoo was not successful in breeding them so they sent them back when the loan expired. At least that is what was explained to me. The seriemas are not supposed to be the permanent residents, they are still figuring out what they want to do there.
 
Other 2023 News:

On January 10th, the zoo announced they rehabilitated and released (1.1) Florida manatees named Corduroy and Pebbles back into the wild.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

On February 19th, the zoo announced they rehabilitated and released (1.2.1) Florida manatees named Maverick, Cherrysota, Lluvia, and Morado back into the wild.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

On January 6th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) rainbow lorikeets named Pancake and Waffle hatched in September 2022 which are now on exhibit.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park
ZooTampa at Lowry Park

On May 21st, the zoo announced that (0.0.3+?) Panamanian golden frogs hatched which are now on exhibit.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

On May 29th, it was announced that the zoo will transfer (1.3) Bornean orangutans named Ripley, DeeDee, Dira, and RanDee to the Naples Zoo in Florida in the near future.

Borneo Orangutan

On June 16th, it was announced that the zoo transferred (1.1) binturongs named Atara and Zula to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in California.*

Two new binturongs at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. | It's a bear...it's a cat...it's a binturong! Two of them to be precise, and they've just moved in next to Thorntree Terrace at the Safari Park. | By San Diego Zoo Safari Park | Facebook

*Information was mentioned by user @blospz on the San Diego Zoo Safari Park News 2023 thread.
 
Not news related, but what antelope species is kept with the elephants? I visited for the first time earlier today and was using this forum’s species list posted in April as a rough guide which said impala were there. They were a bit far away, but they looked enough like impala for me to not question it. But then I started thinking, the zoo’s website claims they have Nile lechwe, and doesn’t list impala. An older map I was also referencing does list impala, but doesn’t indicate where they would be and is obviously outdated in some other places so it’s hard to take it as anything conclusive. So which is it? Or possibly both?
 
biggest_dreamer said:
Not news related, but what antelope species is kept with the elephants? I visited for the first time earlier today and was using this forum’s species list posted in April as a rough guide which said impala were there. They were a bit far away, but they looked enough like impala for me to not question it. But then I started thinking, the zoo’s website claims they have Nile lechwe, and doesn’t list impala. An older map I was also referencing does list impala, but doesn’t indicate where they would be and is obviously outdated in some other places so it’s hard to take it as anything conclusive. So which is it? Or possibly both?
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Impala for sure. They had Nile lechwe and impala until partway through 2021. Now it's just impala.
 
biggest_dreamer said:
Not news related, but what antelope species is kept with the elephants? I visited for the first time earlier today and was using this forum’s species list posted in April as a rough guide which said impala were there. They were a bit far away, but they looked enough like impala for me to not question it. But then I started thinking, the zoo’s website claims they have Nile lechwe, and doesn’t list impala. An older map I was also referencing does list impala, but doesn’t indicate where they would be and is obviously outdated in some other places so it’s hard to take it as anything conclusive. So which is it? Or possibly both?
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Currently just impala. The whole Africa area has seen a ton of turnover in hoof stock since it opened. At one time or another they have had impala, Nile lechwe and Thomson's gazelle in there with the elephants.
 
Wallaroo Station is being remodeled and rebranded to just "Australia". Most other than the rollercoaster, koala and barnyard are closed through March 2024.
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Travel down under to a new immersive land of family fun!

We have begun construction for our new area, Australia which will feature new rides, expanded splash pad and play areas, additional food and beverage selections, and much more WILD fun!

During this time parts of Wallaroo will be closed. Guests can currently still enjoy the Tasmanian Tiger coaster, Barnyard, and Koala habitat.

Thank you for your patience. We are confident that families will love the reimagined area when Australia opens in March!
 
That's really great news, that area needed a refresher pretty badly now. The splash pad was nice enough before, but now it's kind of sad compared to what zoos and even the county parks are building......now only if the Primates and parts of Asia could get a refresh.
 
SwampDonkey said:
Wallaroo Station is being remodeled and rebranded to just "Australia". Most other than the rollercoaster, koala and barnyard are closed through March 2024.
Log into Facebook | Facebook
Travel down under to a new immersive land of family fun!

We have begun construction for our new area, Australia which will feature new rides, expanded splash pad and play areas, additional food and beverage selections, and much more WILD fun!

During this time parts of Wallaroo will be closed. Guests can currently still enjoy the Tasmanian Tiger coaster, Barnyard, and Koala habitat.

Thank you for your patience. We are confident that families will love the reimagined area when Australia opens in March!
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Any new exhibits? or is it just an amenities expansion. While I doubt it, It would be awesome for some more australian species to be added.
 
King of Komodo Dragons said:
Any new exhibits? or is it just an amenities expansion. While I doubt it, It would be awesome for some more australian species to be added.
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Unknown right now, I may try and reach out to someone that can add some insight. I would imagine that at least the wallaby's will get a makeover as will some of the other habitats. I really hope they add some more species, that area was getting really light on animals.

Based on the description of the things in the impacted area these may be impacted:
Rides:
1. Train ride.
2. Flying bananas ride.
3. Playground/climbing structure.
4. Splash area.

Amenities:
1. Gift store.
2. Gem mining.
3. Restaurant (which was absolutely terrible)
4. Handwashing station.

Animals:
1. Bats.
2. Yellow-footed rock wallaby.
3. Horses.
4. Emu (which have been gone a while anyway)

Might be impacted, but unclear based on post:
1. Austronesian aviary
2. Palm cockatoo
 
Current permit summary does not list new animals, sadly.

A multi-element new construction and renovation project in the Australia realm at ZooTampa. The new construction elements include an entrance feature, Wallaby viewing area (Group A5-Assembly), jeep ride, dry playground, bar (Group A2-Assembly), and retail space (Group M-Mercantile). The renovation elements include the restrooms, splash pad, and queuing station for the jeep ride. Removing one unconditioned wood frame retail space.


Other permits were pulled to build a new 3K+ SQFT giraffe barn and 600+sqft nyala barn.

**Note, these are not the permit plans I am reviewing, simply the public notes, so they do not go into detail nor list all improvements or changes.
 
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pachyderm pro said:
Unfortunate that Australia is still being treated as a discount theme park zone. They have the space to do something interesting and already have a decent Australian collection, but alas it seems they will be doubling down on roller coasters and play areas.
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Meh, I disagree, it is the kids area of the zoo, so I am OK with it being aimed more in that direction. If anything it sounds like the new rides at least will be theme appropriate. They are not adding any rollercoasters and the one that is there is not being renovated. The "flying bananas" really did not fit and the train barely did, at least a jeep trek is more "zoo" like. The splash pad will be really nice to have, Florida summers are brutal and having an area to cool off is really a perk to people with families.
 
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Additional information from the zoo's website:

AUSTRALIA - COMING SPRING 2024
We are excited to announce that construction is starting for our new realm, Australia! The completely re-imagined family area will feature:

  • New ride: Aussie Trek (presented by Outback) features opportunities for parents and their kids to go on a safari and learn about Australia’s unique wildlife.
  • Expanded splash pad and play areas: The Billabong Splash Pad (made possible by Bank of America) features new water elements offering more opportunities for guests of all ages to cool off in the Florida sun!
  • New bar: Boomerang Bar will have guests coming back again and again for refreshing cocktails and beverages.
  • Remodeled restaurant: The Outpost, Grab & Go Market is the perfect place for guests to get a quick bite to eat while in the land down under.
  • New family restroom: The Lil’ Joey Family Stop (presented by TGH Children’s Hospital) provides parents and nursing moms a private place to tend to small children.
  • New animal experiences: Guests will enjoy expanded wallaby viewing and the opportunity to get up-close during our new wallaby Signature Animal Encounter!
  • Returning Favorites: The area’s popular attractions return with a refreshed new look and endless opportunities for fun; Tasmanian Tiger Coaster, Boomer’s Flying Bananas, Koala Clubhouse, Down Under Retail Shop, Straya’s Bird Sanctuary (aviary), and Sydney Station (barnyard).

Given all that it sounds like the Aussie Trek ride will be where the animal exhibits in the back were. The "Straya's Brid Sanctuary" may be where the bats were/are as they also had birds and tortoises in there or it could just be a renaming of the Austronesian Aviary.
 
That really is a horrible list of projects(Australia),with animals way down the list of priorities it would seem,..it seems that in ,many areas at least,Lowry Park is determined to be a mini theme park reflecting Busch Gardens just up the road. Of course ,I dont have to make it all add up ,but I would have thought a proper zoological experience would be a better stamp of identity in Central Florida ...and its difficult to take an establishment seriously that seems to want to insert a ride at every opportunity. I cant imagine that the great zoos of the world would ever do anything like that. Time to get serious Lowry Park.
 
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