I don't know if this had been said already, but there seems to be a new, female Amur tiger at the zoo. Her name is Ameliya, and she is mentioned on the zoo's page for the Amur tigers. One of the tiger brothers is no longer listed either, so I'm assuming Ameliya is for an SSP, and the brother was sent to a different zoo for the same reason. What happened to the pronghorns and red pandas? I know one died, but there's really only Ravi left? I think in the case of the red pandas, they will bring in more. Also, the chinstrap penguins are officially listed on the PPCC and Detroit Zoo websites.
Amur Tiger Ameliya (aka 'Liya') arrived from Potter Park, Lansing and the male Tim (aka 'Aleksei') moved to Potter Park.
On January 13th, the zoo announced that they have hired a new Director of Conservation for the Detroit Zoological Society, Dr. Shafkat Khan. Log into Facebook Detroit Zoological Society Announces New Director of Conservation - Detroit Zoo On January 28th, the zoo announced they have acquired a (0.1) Amur tiger named Ameliya from an unspecified facility. Log into Facebook On January 31st, the zoo announced that they have installed a live cam at the southern sea otter exhibit. Log into Facebook On February 9th, the zoo announced the transfer of their (1.0) polar bear named Nuka to another AZA-accredited facility, although it is not specified which facility. Log into Facebook
The Polk Penguin Conservation Center has reopened. Four chinstrap penguins have also arrived. Additionally, five penguin chicks hatched, including the zoo's first king penguin hatchling in 20 years.
So bad news...there still appears to be leaks. Detroit Zoo's penguin center still leaks after years of construction
Apparently, it still leaks, though. The Detroit Zoo's penguin center reopened after years of construction. It still leaks.
Is there not something like litigation over faulty construction. This feels like it is systemic so to do with how it was built and consequently not aquarium waterproof.
What do you all think the odds of the penguin center closing again are? Also, it sounds like there are conflicts between the DZS and Macomb County over the nature center. Local officials concerned about potential site for Detroit Zoo nature center in Macomb – Macomb Daily
High. If it does, it will happen soon and be longer than last time. EDIT: Just let the zoo put it where they want, wow. An undeveloped wetland sounds like nature to me.
On February 25th, the zoo announced that the staff is in the process of moving most of the zoo's birds indoors as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza has been spread into Michigan. Log into Facebook
On March 18th, the zoo announced that they have made the decision to separate Laerke the polar bear and Jebbie the Alaskan grizzly bear in public. The bears will still be allowed to see one another and interact when they are indoors. Log into Facebook
On March 21st, the zoo announced that a (1.0) miniature donkey named Giovanni has passed away at age 27. Log in or sign up to view
On April 4th, the zoo announced they are discontinuing the live feed of the nesting Peregrine falcons due to maintenance in the water tower and the surrounding parking lots. Log into Facebook
So I just recently visited the zoo a few days ago (during Bunnyville, more specifically...never doing that again) and I wanted to point out some things I noticed. Didn't realize this at first, but the aviary is also closed due to the avian flu The southern cassowary was the only bird on exhibit beside the penguins There no longer appear to be mountain chicken frogs in the NACC. Instead, there are smoky jungle frogs. A few exhibits in the NACC and HRCC are being renovated The large south American yard is now home to only 3 sandhill cranes. Of course not on exhibit for obvious known reasons. The entire tundra side of the Arctic Ring of Life is now closed. The last time I went back in October you were able to view part of it but were forced to turn around. The image I took the other day