So far they have two African leopard brothers (though I did hear that they weren't "pure" African leopards)... realistically speaking if the zoo decided to get out of leopards altogether, they could use that space for another primate species.
Has anyone been to the zoo in the past couple of weeks? If so, have they started the construction on the proposed indoor orangutan exhibit?
Rescued Manatees Return to Florida Manatees, Bananatee and Tostone, began their journey back to Florida late Monday night now that they have completed their rehabilitation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium after being rescued as orphans off the coast of Florida. Full article: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium manatees return to Florida
The Zoo still has long-time resident Stubby: With Bananatee and Tostone now in Florida, the Columbus Zoo is currently caring for one long-time resident manatee, Stubby. Manatees are generally solitary, though they can occasionally be found in pairs or small groups of a few individuals. Due to the extensive injuries Stubby received from a boat strike, she is considered to be a conditionally non-releasable animal. Her condition is evaluated every five years to determine if she is ready or not to return to Florida, but it is unlikely that she will move out of this category. Instead, she has often assumed the role of a surrogate mother looking after the other manatees and is the first to greet newcomers during their introduction to the Zoo’s Manatee Coast habitat. Stubby is especially beloved by her care team and guests alike for this incredible role she takes in helping other manatees, and she will once again be joined by other manatees with rehabilitation needs very soon.
They just announced the arrival of two new manatees. https://twitter.com/columbuszoo/status/1319367113073676289?s=21
Simba a 14 year old sea lion has died https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.10...tion/530-ecede643-2e49-4c7e-a6dd-1f9fd71eeb35
Sad news out of Columbus. The zoo has euthanized their 31 year old black rhino, Rosie. Log into Facebook | Facebook
Starting today, all of Heart of Africa will be closed until may. Tours in that area will still be taking place. Lots of construction going on!
Zoo to receive 1.2 Mountain lion cubs: Mountain lion cubs rescued from California wildfires coming to Columbus Zoo Three orphaned Mountain lion clubs rescued from the devastating wildfires in northern California will soon find a new home at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. They will live in the zoo's North American region. Because they were orphaned at such a young age, the cubs cannot be released.
While wishing these cubs could have remained in the wilds, one realises how this cannot be a realistic option here and glad that the ex situ community chips in and provides a good home for otherwise animals without a chance nor someone to champion their cause. I am afraid this just underlines once more how much habitat destruction has occurred due to forest fires and droughts in the region. And the animal and plant displacements and destruction that has occured. Also, no longer no denying that climate change occurs, it is here and we got to deal with it now and not at some point in the future. Also no point in revelling in discourse whether average temperature increases are 1,5 or 4,0 degrees Celsius. The climate change consequent damage is here to stay and we have to very speedily start transitioning to a non fossil fuel based and clean energies transitioned economy (which also is non nuclear as just think waste and tens of thousands of years of radiation and contamination / you can put it away invisible in salt mines, but it will remain a non go area like Chernobyl for thousands of years). TBH: Investing in sustainable development and habitat/landscape/ecosystem conservation all make economic sense versus any extractive economic development with loads of waste / pollution that is equivalent to an astronomical sum up funds to clean up. It also creates an enormous amount of new jobs ...!
Visited today. Indoor Orangutan exhibit construction is well underway. Other notes included- 1.Jack’s Base Camp building in Asia Quest has been moved to the Wilds. This opens a decent plot of land for expansion. 2. Surveying being done in the rides portion of Adventure Cove. Possible ride addition.
Primarily the orangutan exhibit, which they were heavily working on. There was also something small going on near the pony ride area, and I heard the sea lion tunnel had been closed for about a week prior to my visit for some sort of construction. There were lots of other construction vehicles around, but since it was my first visit, I'm not sure which else might have been working on new stuff instead of just being used for christmas decorations and whatnot.