Denver Zoo Denver Zoo News

Can someone who has been to Denver Zoo tell me what the gorilla exhibit is like? I have heard it is one of the largest, and I was wondering if it is something more innovative like Seattle, San Diego, and of course Bronx or is it more of the field type?

 

A big field surrounded by an ugly concrete wall. There are a few large cottonwood trees (hotwired) so there is some shade. But the best aspect is size--it is over an acre, but flat as a pancake and not very interesting. Not even close to Bronx, Seattle, Busch, Disney, San Diego, Lincoln Park or Riverbanks....

 

Denver Zoo packed in near-record visitors last year - The Denver Post

Another week goes by and yet more zoos have been announcing record breaking attendance figures. Amazingly the Denver Zoo pulled in over 1.9 million visitors in 2008, and when the Asian Tropics set of 10-acre habitats opens in a couple of years I'm sure that more than 2 million people will visit and boost the attendance even higher at this massively popular attraction.

 

The Denver Zoo's 10-acre Asian Tropics has been looming on the horizon for a number of years now, and this exciting set of exhibits should eventually open in a few years:

Asian Tropics Exhibit

However, it is interesting that the overall project is a massive 10 acres but the 5 outdoor yards for rotating elephants, Indian rhinos and Malayan tapirs only total 2.6 acres:

Denver Zoo Asian Tropics Exhibit - Featured*Project » JE Dunn Construction Company

 

Since they have not even broken ground (or raised all the $$ needed to complete the project), I would be surprised if the complex opens anytime before spring 2013, and most likely it will be later. Constructing a project of this scale takes a minimum of two years, even in places with benign climates like San Diego.

And as to the acreage, once again it's really much more about quality than quantity. And it will never be enough for the critics--look at the reader's comments in the articles about San Diego's new elephant exhibit, who are up in arms at how "small" it will be.

 

What is the story on Denver Zoo's black rhinos. For years now, they have maintained the current 2.1 individuals for yonkers times ... but no births, no deaths ...., some early abortions on the new female .... but other than that uurrhh pretty much no nothing!

I just seem to remember that they hold bull Mishindi (the last of the Denver line ... and pretty genetically important), cow Shy-Anne (also from a line with little rep, but with some breeding issues) and bull Akeem/George (he is considered less OK for breeding).

So, whom is ... the third bull-mystery guest .... (as listed on ISIS)?!!!

Does anyone have a clue as to what the current and future plans are for the black rhinos at Denver Zoo?

 

Kifaru,
Your ID's for Denver's rhinos are correct (2.1 Mshindi, Akeen, and Shy-Anne). The other 1.0.1 on ISIS are data artifacts. Sorry - no idea of their future plans!

 

A male aye aye was born at the zoo on Saturday the 18th April



Denver Zoo: News Room

 

The Denver Zoo has an incredible primate collection, and I believe that there are about 30 different species in total. Nice video Kiang!

 

They just received these Aye-Ayes last fall. That was sure quick!

 

At least one continent is doing reasonably well with this species...

 

Last week the Denver City Council introduced a bill to approve use of up to $26million of city bond money to complete Asia Tropics.

"The
amendment will allow the construction of the new Asian Tropics exhibit project to move
forward and to give the Foundation additional time to complete its fundraising activities
to raise its portion of the matching requirement (total portion is $55 million) by 2013."

 

This project has been dragging on for what seems like years now, as "Predator Ridge" opened in 2005 and I'm not sure that anything else has been added to the zoo in the 4 years since then. "Asian Tropics" was originally supposed to open in 2009, but the zoo has not even broken ground on construction yet.

 

The zoo is getting closer to construction of Asian Tropics...

Denver Outdoor Travel Examiner: Hickenlooper releases bond money to jump-start Denver Zoo?s Asian Tropics

 

It should be the "Year of the Okapi"-Denver Zoo: News Room

 

Cute okapi calf alert, altogether 1.2.3 awwwww.

Our new okapi can be seen in her yard with her mom! learn mor... on Twitpic

 

http://www.denverzoo.org/downloads/301-ATF_GC_RFQ.pdf

Has anyone on here seen this yet? I find it very interesting as it has a very close-up site plan for Asian Tropics if you scroll really far down. It also has all the enclosure sizes. Surely this exhibit will be an incredible and I must agree with reduakri that it is much more about quality than quanity. I don't think it matters if it's a 8 acre exhibit or a 1 acre elephant exhibit for the activisit. Nothing the zoos build will ever fit within their standards of what an elephant enclosure should consist of. All they really care about is a massive amount of acreage, but in all honesty there must be a lot more than just a large space for a top quality elephant exhibit.

 

Thanks for posting this!

 

This is exhibit looks nothing short of amazing and will surely displace Asia Trail at National as #1 Asian Exhibit in North America.

 

Bravo! Great find BlackRhino!