Animal News » Los Angeles Zoo

12-10-2008

I found out that the LA zoo will be getting another male meerkat from Virginia zoo instead of sending Chico the meerkat to another collection. This is important to the zoo because for the past couple of months there has been a lot of people protesting that Chico has been living alone for some time now. The story was all over the news and newspapers here in LA.

12-10-2008

Uhhrggh, zoo protests? What is happening up there?

Are meerkats not supposed be highly social group living animals. What is one more meerkat going to do for lone Chico? I would rather go for a group structure at 3-5 with some females (more natural, more attraction)!

12-10-2008

The thing is that this male is really really old, so old it's missing most of his teeth, so it was hard for the zoo to introduce him to a full group. The zoo used to have two old males, but one died (of old age) so we were left with only chico, and after all the protesting the zoo is finally getting another meerkat for chico.

Here in LA, anything that happens at the zoo could cause a protest.

12-10-2008

Thanx for putting that in the clear (on welfare grounds, I suppose a good solution). Shame about all these protests (one wonders, critiscism is easy, but then one is part of the problem if you do not put your money where your mouth is).

On a happier note: any news on the move of the Oklahoma City Zoo Indian rhino calf to Dubbo via LA (when is it going to happen)?

12-10-2008

As I've mentioned on the other thread, there is still no news on when it will happen, but I'll report it when I find out more info.

20-10-2008

I was at the zoo yesterday and got more animal news:

1. the female sumatran tiger cub will be sent to Fort Worth Zoo.
2. the LA zoo will be getting a female Southern Pudu from Micke Grove Zoo
3. two female Brush-tailed Bettongs arrived at the zoo and are now in quarantine.

Chico
24-11-2008

Obviously a lot of misinformation about Chico. There were never protests about Chico. the elephants are another issue. There is a petition on line asking the zoo to do something about Chico since Aug, youtube videos and some interest by the media. The Chico project had offered LA Zoo a sizable donation to assist in improving the habitat. There were offers to move him to the only meerkat sanctuary in the CA desert where there are meerkats 15 yrs old. LA zoo refused. Chico was from the louisville zoo originally. After the petition started he began to get better food and has lost weight. he moves better and enjoys people visiting him. He was not receiving any enrichment, they were waiting for him to die. That was quoted from zoo officials. I visit him about every 2 weeks. He has most of his teeth and he is 9.

20-01-2009

I just found out that it's not Jumoke that is coming to the LA zoo, but Alafia and she is already in quarantine at the zoo.

I also found out she was the one coming instead of Jumoke from here:
Gorillas Galore - Captive Gorilla Lists - Stud Book

Chico News
01-02-2009

There are 4 meerkats in Los Angeles according to my contacts in quarantine. Barky from VA as a companion for Chico and 3 kats from North Carolina. possibility they will put 2 kats in the old prairie dog exhibit and the 3 NC kats in the meerkat exhibit. I'm glad LA will get the Meerkats back in numbers

01-02-2009

Cool! I didn't know that.

The old prairie dog exhibit had been under renovation for some time now and I wondered what had happened. I know that the zoo only had one prairie dog left and was on exhibit with the antelope ground squirrels in the nursery side of the children's zoo, but I thought they would all be put back on the dog exhibit when finished.

I would rather see the three in the old prairie dog exhibit, as it's bigger and it allows for more digging.

24-02-2009

Just found this, not sure if its been posted yet but I didn't see it:

Next month, the Los Angeles Zoo will transform the habitats of the American black bears, Sumatran tigers, snow leopards and Sichuan takins into a snowy winter wonderland.

It's not often Los Angeles gets snow. As in "not often," I mean never, so you may want to save the date now.

The event is scheduled for the weekend of March 14 and 15.

LA's Cuteness Level to Max Out Next Month | NBC Los Angeles

24-02-2009

Cool! I know the zoo did that a couple of years ago, but only for the bears.

24-02-2009

Snow for snow leopards would be cool, something I've wanted to photograph for years. I tried last month at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, but their new exhibit is not very good. I go to L.A. a lot to visit family, but may not be able to make this.

When I was there the last week of January, a golden monkey was in the exhibit but the main viewing house was barracaded. When are they going to open it to the public?

24-02-2009

I doubt you saw a golden monkey, because they are not at the zoo yet. I don't think anybody knows when they'll will arrive.

24-02-2009

mstickman,

When is your next update for the LA Zoo?

Any news on more Californian/Peninsular pronghorn coming in from the semi captive herd out at the desert project area?

Any info on when the young Oklahoma born female Indian rhino is to be shipped out to WPZ, Dubbo, Australia?

Any interesting snippets on other unusual animals at the zoo or building projects?

Cheers,

Jelle