I visited Chapultepec zoo this week , and i have started this thread to inform everyone of new additions and improvements to the zoological garden. A new animal enrichment programe has started in all three of the cities zoos so alot of progress is under way to make the resident animals lives more comfortable in captivity. The primate enclosures in the tropical zone of the zoo seem to be in the process of remodelation , which should be great because before the enclosures were not up to scratch. There seems to be a new focus on building awareness for species of primate from Mexico and central america , as reflected by the publicity signs throughout the zoo. There seems to have been alot of moving around for the zoos animals. The old Japanese Maquac enclosure now has the old stump tailed Sumatran tigress and her very noble looking new mate. The maquacs have been moved into the old puma enclosure in the temperate zone and seem to be very content , while the pair of pumas have now taken up residency in the old siamang gibbon and muntjac deer enclosure. The old Sumatran tiger enclosure is now home to a very lively female Bairds tapir , and i must say the enclosure seems to be well suited for her. The Jaguarundi was apparently rescued from the exotic pet trade and is very tame. The elderly white nosed monkey seems to have passed away because its enclosure is now home to the growing lion tamarin group. There are also a pair of very comical emperor tamarins in the cage nextdoor. A new male spectacled bear has been introduced as a mate to the old bear and both are very active. A few pairs of Ecelectus parrots have been introduced to the mixed avaries. Some baby stork chicks. ok thats all i can remember seeing , hahaahah , hope it has helped!
Hi Jose, There has been a rather active CBSG Mexico based group and sponsorred by AZA institutions focussing expressly on native species and in situ conservation. Primates has been a major impetus. Will be happy to show you the way here! It is nice to see Chapultepec and the 2 other Mexico City institutions change with these TAG modelling exercises. I was sort of jumping up and down the room as I read your report on Chapultepec and the recent addition of a female Baird's tapir and a new spectacled bear. Any chance, you can find out about some Masterplan to the Chapultepec Zoo? Regards, K.B.
Okapikr , i have some information although very insufficient to satisfy your curiosity about the elephants in captivity in Mexico. Most if not all of the elephants in captivity in Mexico are of the Asiatic supspecies and the majority seem to be Cows although i do think there is a bull elephant in the African safari of Puebla. So far on my visits to the zoo i havent been able to ask any of the keepers about the age of the elephants. Of course it is hard to speculate on the age of elephants on first glance as they all seem to be ancient including the babies hehehe, but i would say that the elephants in the chapultepec zoo and the San juan zoo are quite old as i remember them being there in the early 80s. I hope this helps my friend
hello kifaru I must say that im glad for your reply although i am finding it a little bit hard to understand , hehehee, my apologies its just english is my second language. what means CBSG? and TAG? im sorry its just i am very much a layman when it comes to the practices of zoological garden. You are correct my friend , there is alot of progress in the way of enrichment at the 3 zoos in the Capital , there are even workshops where children can help contribute to the programe by making food tubes and such things for the animals. Also Kifaru , i forgot to add to the blog , that 2 weepers capuchin monkeys have been introduced to the existing pair. On the subject of the Spectacled bear i have to say that the zoo has had quite some success with their captive breeding programe as a few years ago. The female bear gave birth to 2 cubs which are still resident in the zoo and their enclosures are also being remodelled. However the previous mate i think it died and the new bear seems to be a replacement espero todo esta bien contigo y tu vida amigo
Ola amigo, Gracias, es buena conmigo! Espero que vaya bien con usted tambien! My Spanish is self-evident, as yet not fluent. But as Dutch we have to - a population of just 16 mio. - to learn 2 or more foreign languages to be able to express ourselves beyond our borders (we are but a tiny spot in the giant ocean of continents). But hell, it is no big deal, as long as you can get your points across. So, you are fine amigo. Re. your questions: CBSG = IUCN Captive Breeding Specialist Group website: Conservation Breeding Specialist Group TAG = Taxon Advisory Group most regions have for each animal family (e.g. elephants) or species grouping (e.g. felids) a specialist board whose members advise on all matters relating to captive management and zoo breeding programmes (over and above the individual cooperative species management groups) It may interest you that Mexico (Mejico) has its own captive breeding specialist network in CBSG Mexico. It is administered by Africam Safari (Chair(wo-)man: Dr. Amy Camacho). Any queries you might have on the network's activities you might wish to take up with her. I hope you continue to post on news items or zoo visits concerning Mexican zoos and the perspective of zoo visitors within Mexico itself (and in situ conservation for that matter). I would be happy to pm but my mailbox is full and as I am off on the weekend I might have to do that later ... Adios, Kifaru Bwana
Kifaru my friend , i would like to tell you about one of my previous posts about a very disgusting zoo in the north of my country , called chihuahua zoo. In this post i highlighted the extreme cruelty i saw with my own eyes , and my frustration that such places exist. For several months since my post , i have been trying to contact varios animal welfare organizations to bring it to their attention however many of these groups already have their hands full with the protection of domestic animals. My question is , that do you think it would be worthwhile to contact the CBSG or TAG about this awful place in Chihuahua ?
Hi Jose, I tried to send you another message about visiting zoos in Mexico City, but your message box is full. Talli
ahh, sorry i've taken two years to reply *facepalm* :S but thankyou very much, do you know what the plans for panda are after the current female die?
Hola Jose, It seems to have been a long time since you have been present on this forum, and it is certinaly lacking the presence of a regular update-or from Mexico. I do hope you are doing well and that you will please return soon! all the best, dan ^sorry jose, your inbox was full, so hopefully sending you this on this forum will grab your attention.
A 27-year-old giant panda died in Mexico City's Chapultepec Zoo this weekend, reducing the country's panda population from three bears, to two. Xiu Hua --whose name means Dandelion-- died from natural causes, according to Mexico City environmental officials, who explained that she passed away on Saturday night after the zoo closed. Famous Panda Dies in Mexico City Zoo - ABC News
I suppose it will not be long before the last giant panda will pass away at Chapultepec - end of an era. Shame / Sad that the early excellent breeding record could not be maintained. They had an exemplary pairing ..
New species arrived at Chapultepec Zoo, a Snow leopard ! It has been 90 years ago when this species was last kept at the zoo.
2 california condor chicks have been hatched at Chapultepec zoo. This is the first reproduction of california condors outside the U.S. iñ a zoo. The parents came from san diego zoo. here is alink to some nice photos - http://www.chilango.com/general/nota...en-chapultepec
That's fantastic news - is there a managed programme between Mexico and US for condors, or just between zoos? Do other Mexican zoos hold the species?
