LA Zoo News 2012 » Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens

LA Zoo News 2012
13-01-2012

The Zoo Commission Meeting minutes for November have finally been posted. Here are some highlights:

-Rainforest of the Americas progress: demo is 99% complete and construction is 10% complete.
-LAIR is 90% complete.
-Fennec Fox loaned to Honolulu Zoo for breeding.
-Black Duiker lonaed to Lowry Park Zoo.
-Will receive Australian Lungfish for LAIR.
-Giant Otter pups will be on rotation with their parents.
-LAIR is expected to open March 2012.

http://lazoo.org/about/commission/mi...011Minutes.pdf

13-01-2012

This is great news Mario, finally a set month for the opening of LAIR. And I thought they were rotating the Giant Otter pups with their parents now. The Lungfish for LAIR are a great addition as well!

13-01-2012

You have to remember that these are the November meeting minutes, so I'm sure the pups have now been on exhibit regularly since the meeting happened.

I'm also very excited that there is a set month for the opening of the LAIR. Although with all the recent delays, I'll believe it when I see it.

14-01-2012

I think the biggest issue with the proposed opening of LAIR is getting all the specimens in place. It was already established that all the exhibit glass has been installed.

17-01-2012

So I had a great time at the zoo today and got some nice photos of the LAIR from the carousel. I also got photos of the Rainforest of the Americas site plan that was on of the walls by the construction site. The photos should be up in couple of minutes.

EDIT: Photos have been posted.

21-01-2012

Sad news - LA Zoo's last hippo passed away.

L.A. Zoo's only hippo euthanized after weeks-long illness - latimes.com

21-01-2012

This brings up the question, what will replace the hippo? I personally would love if the zoo brought Malayan Tapirs or maybe Pygmy Hippos. The exhibit was okay for the common hippo, but I'm sure the large pool would be a better fit for a pair of pygmy hippos or tapirs. For the moment the should let the remaining Indian Rhino back onto the main exhibit where the hippo was until she passes and then they should bring something new.

21-01-2012

Agree both would be a nice alternative.

What is the plan for the Indian rhino once our Randa passes on?

21-01-2012

Could the newly arrived Sumatran Rhino possibly be moving in soon? There are three yards once designated for housing the Indian Rhinos. And the one adjacent to the Markhor habitat originally exhibited Indian Tapirs.

21-01-2012

I didn't really think about that, but I think the pool is too big for the Sumatran Rhino.

With Rainforest of the Americas now confirmed to have a Baird's Tapir exhibit and Mountain Tapirs in the current South America section, the LA Zoo could be the only zoo in North America to have 3 species of tapirs if they do decide bring Malayan Tapirs.

Blackduiker
21-01-2012

3 Tapir species would be appropriate, since Los Angeles was the very first zoo to ever exhibit all 4 species simultaneously.

23-01-2012

They could do it again if they did that, they'll have the three rarest species. I think it's different in America, but over here everywhere have lowland tapirs and they seem to be a fairly ubiquitous species in the UK.

23-01-2012

Back in the 1970s, there were plans to showcase all 4 species of tapirs in their own new theme area. One of several proposals that never saw the light of day. $$$$

Blackduiker
24-01-2012

For those hoping for a better idea of the Elephants of Asia habitat, this slideshow taken from the designers, The Portico Group website, is excellent:

Portico Group - Zoos - Elephants of Asia

24-01-2012

Their website also has some great photos of the China exhibit with all the Golden Monkey signage.