On January 21st, the zoo announced they are starting the introductions of the (0.1) polar bear named Astra to her sister, Laerke, in the Arctic Ring of Life exhibit. During this time, Astra's mother, Suka, will be separated from the cub and provided with more enrichment to make her more comfortable. 登录 Facebook
Winter viewing of the ring tailed lemurs (which I SWEAR existed when I was younger with black and white ruffed lemurs) is now open. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "What a happy little Hideaway! Guests can now visit the ring-tailed lemurs in their seasonal indoor habitat at the Detroit Zoo. The Hideaway is located adjacent to the Japanese macaque habitat. Click the link in our bio to learn more about Finnegan, Fajiry, Dallas, Warren, Remy and Molly. #DetroitZoo #Lemur #NewHabitat #WinterattheZoo"
Is it just me, or do the cliffs in the 4th picture look like the ones the baboons were running across in that one Detroit Zoo commercial from the 80’s? “This way guys!” “Wrong way guys.” “Nice goin’, Melvin…”
Just got back from a visit. when me and my dad visited the Hideaway, they had signs in their announcing Red Ruffed Lemurs were coming. When i asked a docent about them, they said that they received two brothers born in 2018 but didn't know their names or which zoo they came from. Both are currently in quarantine and will rotate with the ring-taileds before mixing them together.
Seems they have turquoise tanagers now? Larry Bridge on Instagram: "The turquoise tanager has a scientific name of Tangara Mexicana. It is not found in Mexico. Science is smart - except when it names stuff ✌ #detroitzoo #wildlifeconservation #amateurphotography #birds #birdsofinstagram #turqoisetanager #tanager #dumbscientificnames #scienceissmart #exceptiontotherule"
I actually mentioned this in the 2022 thread on August 4th so they have been there for a few months now.
Just got back from the zoo today. Not much new but there are a few things. 1. The red-ruffed lemurs are currently on exhibit, but are being rotated with the ring-tails (just as @Pandamich stated). Their names are Iray and Telo. The sign did not say where they came from, or specify the sex of either. 2. The sunfish exhibit in the NACC is closed for renovations and expansion. The sunfish now live where the lungfish used to be, right next to the giant salamander exhibit. 3. The bald eagles are finally back on exhibit. 4. There are now American robins in the free-flight aviary. 5. Crested wood partridges are coming soon to the free-flight aviary.
Polar bear, “Nuka”, has returned from the Toledo Zoo! He will be introduced to female, “Suka”, for breeding very soon. Fingers crossed for some more cubs this fall! Nuka the Polar Bear Returns to the Detroit Zoo - Detroit Zoo
According to the website, much like the height of Covid, the normal entrance to the Wildlife Interpretive Gallery is closed, with visitors having to take a side path to the butterflies and free flight aviary. This time, it is NOT for Covid though. Apparently, they are doing construction, which makes me really wonder what the end result is going to be. The Wildlife Interpretive Gallery has needed a refurbishment for years I felt. When I was a kid, I saw it as the boring old building that you walked through a bit before getting to the butterflies. Now I tend to stop to look at the Partula nodosa sculpture, but I notice I always am the only one, as everyone beelines to the butterfly entrance like I did as a kid. This is pretty sad, as it is such a fascinating conservation story, but these people clearly also don't know what exactly to do in the entrance of the building. I don't know what I'd put in there, but SOMETHING would be nice, and it wouldn't have to be so big as to displace the art in there to another facility. Idk, maybe this is just wishful thinking. Don't take my mumblings on how cool getting something in there would be as confirmation. Nothing has been confirmed other than construction being the reason for closure.
It appears that The Grotto is only open in the winter. I really hope that the pelicans are on exhibit somewhere in the summer. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "Get your visit in! Make your way to the Detroit Zoo to visit your friends in the Butterfly Garden and Grotto. The Butterfly Garden will be closing temporarily starting April 1 for building renovations, and the Grotto be closed for the summer starting April 7. We will be sure to update our followers when either building is set to reopen to the public. #DetroitZoo #VinaminZ #ButterflyGarden #Grotto #Pelican #TrumpeterSwan #Aardvark Patti Truesdell and Roy Lewis."
I don't expect them to stay inside all summer. I would expect the swan to be seen at the Cotton Family Wetlands. The pelicans could probably live in the watering hole with the eland and ostrich.
On March 27th, it was reported that the zoo is "increasing security" after there was some suspicious activity believed to be someone casing the facility. https://www.wxyz.com/news/detroit-z...-activity-suspected-at-the-royal-oak-facility
Suprised no one has talked about this, but for the first time. Detroit will have a special exhibit called BRICKLIVE. Featuring 70 lego displays including a 7-foot elk, a 12-foot giraffe, a 10-foot gator and a massive mako shark all where the dinosaurs usually are. Already there is a Blue-Ringed Octopus by the train station and the exhibit will run from May 27th to September 4th. BRICKLIVE - Detroit Zoo
“Astra” and “Laerke” have been successfully reintroduced. https://twitter.com/detroitzoo/status/1648037974263623680?s=20
It's an exhibit that's been going around AZA zoos for years (decades?) now. I've seen it numerous times.
Two new miniature donkeys. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "Howdy, ladies! Let’s give a big barnyard welcome to miniature donkeys Rain and Pearl. These half-sisters are both 7 years old and were brought to the Detroit Zoo to give some much-needed companionship to fellow female Knick-Knack. Though we are still getting to know Rain and Pearl, animal care staff strongly believes that these friendly donkeys will adapt well to their new home. Come to the Detroit Zoo today for your chance to get to know this delightful drove!"
Trio and Buster the horses and Dozier the steer are moving from the zoo. Between this and the new donkeys, I think we're starting to get prepped for the Kidzone. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "Help us say goodbye! Trio and Buster, two male thoroughbred horses who have called the Detroit Zoo home since 2009 – along with Dozier, a Belted Galloway steer born in 2008 and arrived at the Zoo a year later — are leaving the Zoo. Rescued former racehorses Trio and Buster will remain together in their new, permanent home, while Dozier will reside at another location. All three will still live in the metro Detroit area, where they will have plenty of space to roam and enjoy their golden years. Though these beloved animals have thrived at the Detroit Zoo, our team believes these moves are what is best for their continued well-being. These beautiful boys have captured our hearts, and we are so glad to have provided them with a home for so many years. We know these three will love living in their new, permanent homes, and we’ll be sure to provide updates on how they are doing in the coming weeks and months. Stop by the Detroit Zoo to say goodbye to these barnyard animals today!"
A new sea otter is arriving at the zoo but does not have a name yet. You can donate to choose a name, and based on the options it seems to be a male. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "Hi, my name is _______! We are welcoming a new otter to the raft, and we need your help in choosing his name. Vote with your dollars for your favorite name — the name that earns the most donations will be chosen the winner! All funds raised through the naming contest will support the Detroit Zoological Society’s worldwide conservation efforts. The names in the running are Finn, Eli, Kai, Hurley and Misu. Click the link in our bio to choose your favorite. Voting will remain open until Friday, May 19. #DetroitZoo #SeaOtter #AnimalRescue #NewtotheZoo #Vote #NamingContest"
Astra and Laerke are off to Point Defiance. Sad I never had luck seeing them, but I wish them well. Detroit Zoo on Instagram: "On to their next chapter. The time we were able to spend with polar bear cubs Astra and Laerke will forever hold a special place in our hearts. The Detroit Zoological Society is so proud to have played a role in these cubs' upbringing and has been thrilled to see them successfully reunited. Now that the cubs are more than 2 years old, Astra and Laerke are at an age when they would be living on their own in the wild. The twins are set to move to AZA-accredited Point Defiance Zoo in Tacoma, Washington this spring. This move is natural and necessary for their continued development and will help support the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied polar bear population in zoos. Point Defiance Zoo has been a home to polar bears for more than 80 years and, along with the Detroit Zoo, is certified by Polar Bears International as an Arctic Ambassador Center. Though we will miss this pair terribly, we are confident Astra and Laerke will be well loved and provided for in their new home. Click the link in our bio to learn more about the cubs and the upcoming move. #DetroitZoo #PolarBears #Sisters #BearCubs Patti Truesdell."
