This link shows (in a small picture) the design of the zoo's planned 4 acre Arctic exhibit with no announced opening date yet. https://www.hoglezoo.org/donations_sponsors/donation_opportunities/arctic_exhibit/ Another link show the development of the zoo's under construction new animal hospital due to open next year. https://www.hoglezoo.org/donations_sponsors/donation_opportunities/animal_health_center/
It will be interesting to see if funding is approved for yet another North American polar bear exhibit. Utah's Hogle Zoo supposedly has an impressive selection of felines, and 2005's "Elephant Encounter" and 2006's "Asian Highlands" illustrate that the zoo is moving in the right direction in terms of modern, naturalistic enclosures.
I've never really considered their feline collection (at least that which remained after the closing of the old Feline Building) as impressive. Although if I think about it, they have sand cats, black-footed cats, Arabian wild cats, cheetahs, Pallas' cats, Siberian lynx, Canada lynx, bobcats, pumas, snow leopards, Amur leopards and Amur tigers. The Elephant Encounter and Asian Highlands exhibits are really nice renovations of quite horrible exhibits/buildings. The Primate Forest exhibit is another favorite of mine. I hope funding is secured for their coming renovations. Beyond the Arctic exhibit they also would like to build a new forest habitat for their gorillas and orangs, and also a new large African Savannah right at the entry.
Deseret News | Hogle Zoo requesting $65 million bond Here's our answer to the question of the dollar amount for the proposed changes to the zoo: $65 million for 16 projects.
Cheers Zooplantman, as you are right about the dollar figure of $85 million. $20 million will be from private funds, in the public-private partnership envisioned by the zoo. The book "America's Best Zoos" lists the zoo in the top 10 in North America for its cat collection, and Ituri has already listed 12 feline species that reside at the zoo. For a fairly small zoo (900 animals) they certainly have grand aspirations.
Zoo requesting $33 million bond - Community The dollar figures for the zoo's bond seem to have altered over time...if judging by the above postings. However, the zoo does seem determined to create some exciting new exhibits, and that naturally means that yet another polar bear habitat will be constructed in North America.
I wish them luck. Will voters approve a bond issue in these economic times? Maybe. But municipalities and states are having a very hard time selling the bonds that have already been approved...so no new funding available! It's been a long tortuous road for the Hogle Zoo with this bond proposal and it won't end on November 11 (do I have the date correct?)
I have heard that this zoo has a great Snow Leopard and Amur Tiger exhibits.. By reading about Asian Highlands in Americas Best Zoos Asian Highlands sounds fantastic and so does the Elephant Encounter and White Rhino exhibit. Once their new Arctic exhibit is complete this will be a fantastic zoo.
Elephant calf might help continue zoo's attendance spike - Salt Lake Tribune Utah's Hogle Zoo has been making great strides in recent years, as the 2005 opening of "Elephant Encounter" and the 2006 opening of "Asian Highlands" has generated interest in the attraction, and in 2008 the zoo came within a whisker of having one million visitors. A baby elephant is on the way, along with plans for an Arctic area (soon!) as well as a veterinary hospital and an expanded African savanna.
Construction has started for the new veterinary hospital. Deseret News | Hogle Zoo getting new veterinary center
Economy stands between zoo's past and future - Salt Lake Tribune This is a fairly long, extremely informative article on the various fund-raising that the zoo has recently undertaken. A $22 million Arctic exhibit, along with an African Savannah, are in the future of this ever-evolving zoo.
The zoo will add a temporary Madagascar exhibit this summer featuring Foosa. Lemur Eating Fossas Arrive At Hogle Zoo Zoo and Aquarium Visitor News
I've been keeping an eye on this project since I first heard about it early this year. Kind of surprised that they aren't working lemurs of any kind into it, but it is a rather small space. I was also glad to see the opening date be so early, May 16th.
Great news and this should really be a boost after the death of Asali's calf in July Deseret News | New arrival: Elephant born at Hogle Zoo
That is good to hear that the calf was born and there are plans for expansion. The zoo seems pretty dated to me. Some of the exhibits were old and had relatively few animals in them.
