Three 9-month-old Komodo dragons made their debut in Tropical Discovery earlier this week. Denver Zoo
Here is their master plan from 2015: https://denverzoo.org/downloads/2016_Denver_Zoo_Facility_Master_Plan.pdf The next projects for the zoo include moving animals out of the old Felines building and securing funding for renovating the vet hostipal and the polar bear and sea lion exhibits.
Two addax males are now on exhibit. A new species for the zoo. https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=2085665915083125
In a huge announcement, the zoo has released information about the future of polar bears in Denver. Polar bears, Cranbeary and Lee are moving to other zoos (Cranbeary to Alaska Zoo and Lee to Columbus Zoo) to be paired with new mates as part of the polar bear SSP. Grizzly bears, Kootenai and Tundra will move from their current home at Bear Mountain to the polar bear exhibits, a huge improvement in exhibit quality and space. This is part of the zoo’s master plan released in 2015. Denver is committed to bringing polar bears back after funds are raised to renovate their exhibit to state of the art quality. This is big news for such an iconic species to Denver. There is no date for the move yet but the zoo is planning special polar bear keeper talks every Saturday and Sunday at noon starting Oct. 6. POLAR BEARS TO TEMPORARILY DEPART DENVER ZOO | Denver Zoo
The zoo's two Polar Bears are being sent away as the current exhibit (which dates from the 1980s and is badly in need of an upgrade) will eventually be home to the zoo's two Grizzly Bears in a refurbished environment. Polar Bears will eventually return: "Denver Zoo’s leadership and Board of Governors are committed to bringing polar bears back to the Zoo, which would require raising the necessary funds and sufficient time to plan for and construct a new, innovative exhibit." POLAR BEARS TO TEMPORARILY DEPART DENVER ZOO | Denver Zoo
This afternoon, a man called the zoo and threatened to fly his private airplane into the zoo. Guests and staff were evacuated and animals moved to safety. Denver police later determined that the threat was not credible and people were allowed to leave. Investigation into the threat is ongoing. Denver Zoo
I think this is an excellent decision made by the zoo and SSP. The zoo has previously mentioned renovating the polar bear exhibit. Now it will just be a brand new exhibit and maybe further down the line than intended. The two polar bears have had several mating seasons together and they never had luck. Also, with new pairings made last year and the two female polar bears at Columbus being related to many of the SSP recommended males, Lee seems like the right fit to go there. It was also wise to get a male in Columbus as soon as they could as the two females are proven breeders.
Two male elephants have moved in from African Lion Safari. TWO NEW ENDANGERED ASIAN ELEPHANTS JOIN DENVER ZOO’S BACHELOR HERD | Denver Zoo
I wonder how many zoos in the world have 5 male Asian Elephants? It will be an impressive achievement if Denver Zoo can eventually have all 5 males out together at the same time.
