Henry Vilas Zoo Henry Vilas Zoo News 2019

I just watched a news coverage of it a few seconds ago. I hope nothing bad happens and it can all be settled.

 

"Parisi also said the Association of Zoos and Aquariums said if the two parties signed the HVZS proposed agreement, accreditation would be lost this year since AZA accreditation requires that a support organization not exercise control over the operations of the zoo."

I'm not really sure I understand this statement; does anyone know if this is true? From my knowledge of past events, the AZA has historically taken more issue with government officials exerting control over zoo operations, rather than non-profit zoological societies.

 

I don't really understand what's going on here. Could someone please explain it to me?

 

Basically, it's a power struggle between the nonprofit zoological society and the county government.

The county wants to change the contract because they are concerned that government money earmarked for the animals and zoo is going to the nonprofit to hire more staff and expand their own operations, while the nonprofit says the new contract is unacceptable because it diminishes the nonprofit's role and limits their fundraising ability.

Hope someone can still answer my question though, because I am genuinely confused by that statement.

 

I honestly don't understand the situation that well either. It is all pretty confusing. I just hope the zoo doesn't lose its accreditation and all the animals are well taken care of. :/ I guess we will have to see what is going on.

 

Seems the zoo's situation is worse than we thought…

Vilas zoo partner alleges zoo director, researcher harassed staff

 

An update on what's going on at the Henry Vilas Zoo:

Vilas Zoo will continue to function without nonprofit running on-site, Executive Joe Parisi says

 

Today I visited this zoo for the first time and I have to say it is one of my favorites, I was actually wondering if it is normal to have a hard time finding the Lemur Leaf Frog

 

That's pretty usual. Did you end up seeing one? I do about 50% of the time.

 

I sadly didn't get to see it, I got to see a bunch of the other animals, but I sadly missed the frog. Hopefully my next visit will be one where I can see them, considering I have to drive about 2 hours to even get there.

 

I've never seen them there. They are tricky little rascals to find.

 

At least I still got some new sights such as the Capybara, Badger, and North American Porcupine

 

Updates from my visit today:

• The rhino was having a lot of fun with a log (or he hated it). He rammed into it several times and even carried it around his enclosure with his horn.
• Peafowl were signed, but still absent from their enclosure.
• The path on the Prairie complex was closed, so I couldn't see the prairie dogs.
• A Ball Python is now on exhibit in the old Cane Toad exhibit.
• An Emerald Tree Boa is now on exhibit in the old Ornate Box Turtle exhibit.
• The Lemur Leaf Frogs have tadpoles (and I saw an adult).
• Have Guppies always been in the Bio-filtration thing (in the Discovery Center)?
• The ferrets are now signed.
• Saw the new gecko exhibit. It is AMAZING!!!!!!

The collection in the aviary continues to decline with lots of changes. Here is what I noticed:

• The Milk Snake is gone.
• The tarantulas are gone.
• The Tanzanian Red-Clawed Scorpion exhibit was renovated and got worse.
• The Red-Footed Tortoise has been moved from the agouti exhibit to the Golden Lion Tamarin one.
• Species no longer in the free-flight room: Gray-Necked Wood-Rail, Wood Turtle, Blue Ground Dove, Croaking Ground Dove, and White-Faced Whistling Duck. Note the duck was moved to the indoor flamingo exhibit.
• There was also only one Saffron Finch, instead of the usual 5 or so.
• There was, however, one new (and unsigned) species in the free-flight room: Black Crake.

 

During my visit the Tortoises were with the Agouti

 

Yes, that's where I expected it to be.

 

Thanks for the update, Birdsandbats! I will have to check over everything next time I go. The Cane Toad, Ball Python, and Tree Boa stuff is all older news. Yet, the guppies are new! That is very interesting to know they are there. It is good to see the Lemur Leaf Frogs reproducing, I am yet to see them, but now we know they're there!

The peafowl stuff is also old, I don't know what they're doing with them. Were the barbado sheep and ostrich signs also gone?

Was that large enclosure in the reptile building still empty? Did it look like there any progress made on it?

 

No Ostrich or Barbado Sheep signs.

No difference in the big reptile exhibit.

 

Henry Vilas Zoo

Two baby penguins hatched at Henry Vilas Zoo, soon to make their debut!

 

Just thought this might be on interest:

After ending 105-year partnership with Zoological Society, Henry Vilas Zoo now looks to uncertain future · The Badger Herald

 

Some coverage on the zoo's polar bear artificial insemination attempts.

https://www.channel3000.com/news/th...o-polar-bear-chance-at-having-cubs/1071673934