Hope no one minds if I start a new thread for a new year. Mila the elephant has been released from quarantine and I got a good look at her today. My first good look at Mila. - YouTube I talked to a koala keeper today and asked how many koalas does the San Diego Zoo have. She said they have 25, four off exhibit and approximately 70 are on loan to other zoos.
Great idea to start a new thread for the new year. Glad to hear that Mila is now cleared to hopefully start meeting some of her fellow elephants. Thanks for checking koala numbers. Now we know that mauro1970 guy likely was not talking with a keeper who told him there were 2500 koalas. It looks like it will be a busy construction year ahead in San Diego with the new tiger exhibit opening at the Safari Park in the spring and construction presumably getting started on the massive "Africa Rocks" complex.
2500? That's a bit far-fetched. It's good to know the actual number number. I'm glad Mila is out of quarantine.
Since, so much was made of the arrival of elephant Mila: How long was she actually in quarantine for?
She arrived at the zoo on November 14th and was released from quarantine on January 16th. The keepers informed me the first trunk wash was successful in obtaining a good sample for the tuberculosis test.
Is there any update on the mountain lion exhibit? I am wondering how they are going to fit that in that space up there. Its probably going to be a mesh enclosure.
I posted a picture in the gallery of the sign that is in front of the new exhibit. Doesn't really show much detail.
Thanks betsy for posting. Its not as exiciting as I imagined it, I guess there won't be much to look forward to besides Africa Rocks construction at the Zoo this summer.
An article with more info about the orangutan baby. New Orangutan Baby at San Diego Zoo Begins to Explore | KTLA 5
Arizona Docent has posted some amazing photos in the gallery. I was at the zoo on Friday, sorry we didn't meet. I was watching the introduction of the 3 brother gorillas. Maka age 18, Mandazzi age 11, and Ekuba age 7.
The weaning and seperation process has begun for Bai Yun and Xiao Liwu. Weaning Xiao Liwu: Conflict over Calories
I found some information on the 4 bonobos that were sent to Japan. Four bonobos have arrived at Kumamoto Sanctuary I have to say that the girls look the same but Junior looks different from when I saw him last.
On Friday I was driving home across the desert. Was only at the zoo for a couple hours each on Wednesday and Thursday, for a break, as it was a working vacation. (Staying in the hotel room with my laptop to finally start working on my Zoos of the Southwest book).
To summarise that article - Mila has completed quarantine, and tests show she is TB-free. She has had some interaction (through barriers) with the herd matriarch Mary. Sounds like the introductions are going well, and that Mila is enjoying her new exhibit. So far, so good!
Im glad she seems to be enjoying her new home and settling in well. Being as old as she is it could have been very hard on her and she could have been very fearful with all the changes shes gone through in the last couple of months. Hopefully she gets used to other elephants. Must have been a lonely existence with no other elephant around for 30 years. I know keepers help to fill the void but its not the same as having the company of their own kind, especially other Africans like Tembo and Sheba (?). I wonder how much of their vocalizations she understands. She will be an excellent research opporunity for the zoo.
Whose the long tusked one at the fence in the background before Mila goes to meet Mary? Looks like shes potentially meeting a second friend.
Thanks Betsy. I figured you would be the one to come up with the answer. Shaba looks just as interested in meeting Mila as Mary.