master_plan The Buffalo Zoo is intent on renovating most of their property, and the link above provides a timeline for 13 projects due by 2013, and 6 of them are nearly all complete. http://www.buffalozoo.org/letter.pdf This particular link is an unusual one, as the zoo recently had 4 polar bears die in the space of 9 months and 6 days. Two of them were rather old, and two were young and had health complications, and so the zoo has felt compelled to issue forth a letter that defends the organization from any harm. Interestingly enough there are plans for a new and improved polar bear habitat.
I dont know about the masterplan now. Buffalo appeared to be a zoo that would follow their plan, but with fundraising getting tougher, it appears that the zoo may skimp on some projects and scale down others. The Buffalo News: Home: Buffalo Zoo's new exhibits are taking shape The article mentioned that the successful Indian Rhinoceros pairing may have to leave the zoo to make way for an african savanna with a safari train ride...oh boy! (sarcasm) And the zoo hopes to build a children's zoo with a working canal and locks system...how does this apply to the science of zoo biology and animal conservation? From what i read in the article the future elephant exhibit appears to have been scrapped in favor for the africa savanna and children's zoo (and a much needed new bear exhibit). So right now the zoo is wasting $1 million dollars renovating a poor and out dated elephant house as a fix to meet AZA standards. These standards also highly suggest that zoo's exceed the minimum standards because they are only going to increase and get tougher in the future. This zoo had great potential. The Buffalo zoo should focus its rebuilding efforts on what's needed: the asian area and elephant exhibit (if they are to continue to hold them....they might be better off staying in Columbus); arctic exhibit and brown/polar bear exhibits; and a children's zoo that would reflect the zoo's mission, not the local history museum's.
Crafty decision making or sheer management squeek? In the article it mentions quote: "To make way ..., will be eliminated.". A clinical approach to species conservation and cynical collection planning exercise? Similarly curious this elephant episode. I support your criticism of the elephant exhibit. First invest to bring it in line with minimum AZA standards in the face of budget cuts. Secondly, send out its reproductively well suited and aged females to Columbus and not have them breed with the proven bull. Now it seems long term they do not even plan to have Asian elephants! A US$ 1,0 -1,5 mio. waste of public money. I wish they would let the Asians at Columbus now long term and concentrate on the Indian rhino in that area (if not the EEP is happy to take them)!
More news from the Buffalo Zoo: Zoo plots more expansion - Business First of Buffalo: Although this article suggests that the funding for these new projects is all private, still I'll bet the zoo is facing hard times for the next couple of years (their recently opened rain forest had several long set backs and re-designs due to funding shortfalls) I just heard yesterday that New York State gets 20% of its tax revenue from financial business including Wall Street. The other day, the governor appeared before Congress to request a bail out. Institutions depending on state funding may be scrambling.
According to the zoo's masterplan, the current children's zoo is planned to become the zoo's new entrance. This new, relocated children's zoo would free up space for the zoo entry construction.
Yee-Haw...we're goin have an ol'fashion barn rasin' The Buffalo Zoo will relocate a local barn to become part of the new children's zoo that will open next year. Erie Canal-era barn to be relocated to new exhibit at Buffalo Zoo : Home: The Buffalo News
Rain forest exhibit a draw for Zoo - Business First of Buffalo: The Buffalo Zoo had 415,000 visitors in 2008, which was a slight increase from the year before. However, since their $16 million rainforest building opened late in the year there was an almost 40% increase in attendance for the final few months of 2008.
Buffalo to receive a male Polar Bear from Madison, WI to breed with their female. Henry Vilas Zoo Polar Bear Nanuq Moving
Buki the elephant's days may be coming to an end. The Buffalo Zoo made the sad announcement today that the 52-year-old former circus elephant's health is rapidly declining. Buki, who has delighted crowds since coming to the zoo in 1984, has experienced a loss of appetite and is losing weight. Zoo officials said her kidney function has been affected, too. Zoo says elephant is ailing : Home: The Buffalo News
