Zoo Tampa at Lowry Park ZooTampa at Lowry Park news 2025

SwampDonkey said:
Wow, that is a lot of updates! Thanks so much, I have a couple of comments.
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Even in yesterday’s excruciating heat, you’re very welcome.;)

SwampDonkey said:
I actually really love those things, I haven't used them here though. I have used them in Phoenix Zoo and Wildlife World a few times, they are quite fun. Although the design of ZT makes them a bit tough to use easily as the other zoos. They are great at Wildlife World given how large it is.
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Personally, I have no issue with the Rydables. It’s just that ZT’s layout makes them such an odd addition.

SwampDonkey said:
They are still around, they (strangely) moved them to a small enclosure kind of behind the mining sluice. I have no idea why they did that.
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Glad to hear they’re still around, although I do agree it’s a bit strange to have them where the mining area is (in Africa or Australia btw?).

SwampDonkey said:
It was pretty rough after the hurricanes, but it had filled out. It is probably in preparation of potential storms, or if not storms the plants will grow a lot rather fast now that we are in our rainy season.
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Good to know, it’s nice to see a local zoo prepare for the inevitable; even if the surrounding landscape isn’t as immersive as it used to be.
 
Austin the Sengi said:
Personally, I have no issue with the Rydables. It’s just that ZT’s layout makes them such an odd addition.
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Agreed, the layout doesn't really lend itself to them.
Glad to hear they’re still around, although I do agree it’s a bit strange to have them where the mining area is (in Africa or Australia btw?).
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Oh, good point, Africa, beside that gift store kiosk.
 
Austin the Sengi said:
Additionally (and most bizarrely), it appears that while the Red-Tailed Guenons are here to stay; the neighboring enclosure that used to hold Mandrills is now an exhibit for, wait for it… a Linnaeus’ Two-Toed Sloth! :eek:

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Photo Credit: yours truly, Austin the Sengi
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Man, I don't know if this is just me being a sourpuss, but I really hate that they put the sloth in there. It...really doesn't feel like it's geared towards a sloth exhibit at all. And that's, y'know, the primate section. I went back in May- haven't been since, normally I go maybe every other month, just been very busy recently- and I think my jaw actually dropped when I saw they put the sloth in there. I dunno, it feels like it's detracting from the big main aviary, which already feels like it's several steps down from where it used to be. Plus- when's the last time ZooTampa got a new species without replacing an existing one? Love the zoo to death, but the sloth being in that exhibit specifically really feels emblematic of every gripe I have had with the zoo in the last few years, minor & major alike.

I really do look forward to the entrance work, though. Should look really nice, and the area definitely needs it. Security works fast there, sure, but it's had a bit of a haphazard look to it for a while now.
 
Rijin said:
Man, I don't know if this is just me being a sourpuss, but I really hate that they put the sloth in there. It...really doesn't feel like it's geared towards a sloth exhibit at all. And that's, y'know, the primate section. I went back in May- haven't been since, normally I go maybe every other month, just been very busy recently- and I think my jaw actually dropped when I saw they put the sloth in there. I dunno, it feels like it's detracting from the big main aviary, which already feels like it's several steps down from where it used to be. Plus- when's the last time ZooTampa got a new species without replacing an existing one? Love the zoo to death, but the sloth being in that exhibit specifically really feels emblematic of every gripe I have had with the zoo in the last few years, minor & major alike.

I really do look forward to the entrance work, though. Should look really nice, and the area definitely needs it. Security works fast there, sure, but it's had a bit of a haphazard look to it for a while now.
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If I understand correctly I heard that the space is being used for ambassador animals, in this case the sloths. I don't like it either as I see no reason they couldn't or shouldn't add another primate To the space. Lemur, vervet, there are a lot of species that they could put in that exhibit.
 
Piece of July 2025 News Not Mentioned:
Smaggledagle said:
On June 20th, it was reported that a bay duiker named Acacia was born on May 21st, and (2.0) impalas named Chad Jr. and Brad were born on May 22nd and June 7th, respectively. It was also reported that a marabou stork hatched on May 26th, and 2 roseate spoonbills and a masked lapwing hatched.

https://www.wfla.com/bloom-tampa-bay/bloom-living-local/its-a-baby-boom-summer-at-zootampa/
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On July 11th, the zoo mentioned that the marabou stork was sexed as female (0.1) and named Chickpea.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park

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On August 23rd, the zoo announced they started construction on a new exhibit for their male (1.0) Cuban iguana named Sandwich.

ZooTampa at Lowry Park
 
Members newsletter information:

  • The new entrance and parking are both open. I will be there on Friday, so I will get some pictures.
  • The opening of the completely redone and re-named "Florida Waters" will be Spring 2026. They finally announced that there will in fact be reptiles and amphibians included, which was assumed but not confirmed. The areas inside the section are called: Manatee Rescue, Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Center, and Otter Oasis.
 
SwampDonkey said:
Members newsletter information:

  • The new entrance and parking are both open. I will be there on Friday, so I will get some pictures.
  • The opening of the completely redone and re-named "Florida Waters" will be Spring 2026. They finally announced that there will in fact be reptiles and amphibians included, which was assumed but not confirmed. The areas inside the section are called: Manatee Rescue, Reptile & Amphibian Discovery Center, and Otter Oasis.
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Good to hear, after the stingray pool I thought it might be years until Florida Waters opened. That being said, when I said I wanted them to re-open the discovery center, this isn't exactly what I had in mind- but, hey, I'm not complaining!
 
Rijin said:
when I said I wanted them to re-open the discovery center, this isn't exactly what I had in mind- but, hey, I'm not complaining!
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LOL, right? Man, the Discovery Center was great, it was a real loss for the zoo when they closed it. Last I heard it was still being used for storage.
 
Image of the new entrance, it is really just a remodel of the look and the security line. The setup seemed to add a line or two for security. The actual ticket booth and entrance ticket scan remain exactly the same.:
full
 
I suppose that it is really a 2026 news alert, but starting in January the zoo will charge for parking (members park for free). Members received an email to register their license plates for the free parking, so I am not sure how the system is going to work, but it is apparently more complicated than showing someone your membership card.

They did not say how much parking will cost.
Notice: Beginning on January 5, 2026, ZooTampa will be implementing paid parking for all non-members (including Pay for a Day, Come Back All Year ticket holders).
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SwampDonkey said:
I suppose that it is really a 2026 news alert, but starting in January the zoo will charge for parking (members park for free). Members received an email to register their license plates for the free parking, so I am not sure how the system is going to work, but it is apparently more complicated than showing someone your membership card.

They did not say how much parking will cost.
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Well that's a bit of a pain but I suppose it's to be expected after they just added more parking.
 
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