Two litters of cheetah cubs have been born. Lana and Kitu are parents to 6 (2 boys 4 girls) which are all doing well. First time parents Khari and Hatari had four cubs (two boys and two girls). This litter isn't doing quite as well. One female died and a male cub had to be pulled for bottle feedings but they hope to reintroduce him soon. Cheetah cub births at Metro Richmond Zoo make ‘significant addition’ to captive cheetah population | WTVR.com
A female cheetah cub from Lana's litter has died. Female cheetah cub dies at Metro Richmond Zoo days after check-up | WTVR.com
JoJo the orangutan has died of kidney failure. Orangutan dies at Metro Richmond Zoo - Chesterfield County News - Richmond, Va., News, Entertainment, Events, Food, Dining, Sports, Business and Commentary
A pair of snow leopards were born. The brother sister pair was born to first time parents Elsa and Nitro. Pair of endangered snow leopards born at Metro Richmond Zoo - Richmond Times-Dispatch: Chesterfield County News
An animal nursery has been built for public viewing. Its only current occupant is a Diana monkey who had to be taken from his parents for medical care. New Animal Nursery Now Open! - Metro Richmond Zoo
Several blackbuck were born recently. At least one will be hand reared because its mother is not caring for it. They were all super cute and wobbly, as was the baby Diana monkey.
0.1 Siamang "Lucy" born about two months ago was moved to the nursery. Her mother was a first time mother and did not care for her. Several invertebrates were added to the reptile house.
A child has been attacked by a rooster at the zoo. Richmond zoo responds after 2-year-old attacked by rooster
Several updates: The zoo has announced that they are constructing a pygmy hippo exhibit, though no date of completion has been set yet. Additional upcoming exhibits are for giant anteater, African clawless offers, an expansion of the reptile house, and for unspecified primates. New Animal Exhibits for 2017 - Metro Richmond Zoo New map: http://metrorichmondzoo.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2017-Color-Map.pdf It is very comprehensive. The only species I notice are missing are yellow-backed duiker (from the savanna exhibit with bongo and kudu), Indian muntjac (apparently now in the ride-through area), and the Diana monkey breeding center seen on the same ride. Based on this map, a 50 acre expansion is on the way. The pronghorn seems to have been replaced by Armenian mouflon. Serval kittens went on exhibit in January.
A new enclosure for the African Clawless Otters is sorely needed, although they breed well enough in the strange"shed "they currently live in. Does any other American Zoo exhibit this impressive species?(though i remember them at Toledo and Phoenix in the past).
The San Diego Zoo keeps one female on exhibit in the bear canyon. That one and the four at Metro Richmond seem to be the last five outside Africa (though I'd be glad to be proven wrong).
Some more reptiles are now on display by the nursery such as Dominican boas, prehensile tailed skinks, spiny tailed monitors, rhinoceros iguanas, and others I have forgotten.
I believe I read on their facebook page the construction on the pygmy hippo exhibit is taking longer than they anticipated. They decided to redesign the exhibit from their original plans to include underwater viewing. Also, I checked over a month ago on the progress of their giant anteater exhibit and they were still waiting on permits from the city for the boardwalk. Not sure if it's been approved yet, but I could imagine both these exhibit opening up next year now, maybe in the spring.
I'm very surprised that the Metro Richmond Zoo is not AZA-Accredited. Could anyone fill me in on why the zoo is not accredited?
The owner doesn’t like being told what to do with his animals. It is rather hypocritical that the zoo still participates in a few SSPs.
