Houston Zoo Houston Zoo news 2012-2015

Since the other news thread for this zoo was titled news 2011, I figured I better start a new one (seeing as it is 2012).

The zoo's two zebras have been moved from their old paddock and introduced to the giraffe and ostrich yard.

The Zebras Move in with the Giraffes | The Official Houston Zoo Blog

 

A Giraffe, Nyala, and Kudu were born recently.

 

Articles and videos on all the news; Baby Giraffe Born at the Houston Zoo - Houston Zoo
The Zebras Move in with the Giraffes | The Official Houston Zoo Blog

 

Zoo-raised Attwater prairie chickens go to refuge - AP State Wire News - The Sacramento Bee
I love hearing these stories of zoos reintroducing animals where they belong...

 

Does anybody happen to know what the timeline is for phase 2 of African Forest? Species list? Their website is one of the least helpful I've found to date

 

Gorillas are the only confirmed species. No one knows any details.

 

Red river hogs likely to co-exist in the new exhibit with gorillas, per the most current concept.

 

Now, that would be innovative. I could actually see that combination working.

 

The zoo will be hosting a talk by arguably the world's top two snow leopard researchers - Rodney Jackson and Jan Janecka. I have heard Rodney a couple times and he has some AMAZING footage (still and video) of wild snow leopards from camera traps. To register, click on the link below (and note the talk is NOT on zoo grounds).

Conservation Forum Series - Houston Zoo

 

While we wait for African Forest Phase 2 news (aka the Gorillas part), the zoo is renovating it's Flamingo exhibit.

Flamingo Fanfare | The Official Houston Zoo Blog

While Flamingos aren't the most impressive species, the zoo has had a pretty nice pool for some time and does close it off yearly for breeding purposes. If the same amount of work goes into this as the shoebill stork exhibit next door, this could be pretty impressive looking.

Meanwhile, a child's splash area was added last summer behind the carousel, between the Children's Zoo and African Forest. Woo?

 

Cool form of Cheetah enrichment;
Houston Zoo Cheetahs Race At Texas Horse Park (VIDEO)

 

A new home for Damara and Naked Mole-Rats is underway, as their exhibits go under renovation.
Mole Rats Coming Soon! New Home Under Construction | The Official Houston Zoo Blog

 

The zoo has announced the birth of coquerel's sifaka.

 

Houston Zoo performs root canal on rescued bobcat - Houston Chronicle

 

Phase 2 of African Forest, the gorilla part, will open in spring 2015.
$28 million gorilla exhibit to open at Houston Zoo in spring 2015 - Houston Chronicle

 

African Forest Phase two

The zoo has announced that they plan to open their $28 million dollar gorilla exhibit in 2015. They are currently work on planting the plantings that will be in the back part of the exhibit while they acquire money for construction. Here is a link with more info: $28 million gorilla exhibit to open at Houston Zoo in spring 2015 - Houston Chronicle

 

Will Eastern Lowlands make a comeback for this?

 

Hey, did you not just look at the post right before yours?

 

Twenty eight million just for gorillas (no additional exhibits). Is this a new record?

 

Phase 2 of the African Forest was originally supposed to exhibit red river hogs in addition to gorillas.This article in the Houston Chronicle however makes no mention of it and the blueprint shown in the article is too small to really analyze whats included in any kind of detail.Our guess is for 28 mil a few other african species are to be included in the project.

Team Tapir223