Kansas City Zoo Kansas City Zoo News

The zoo has taken in two rescued sea lions, Pepper and Luna. They are being quarantined before meeting the rest of the group.

Kansas City Zoo welcomes rescued sea lions | The Kansas City Star

 

The zoo is asking for peoples favourite memories of polar bear, Nikita, before he makes his move this fall to North Carolina.

Zoo asks public to share favorite memories of Nikita | Local News - KMBC Home

 

The iconic Great Ape House came down.

Once iconic Great Ape House torn down at the Kansas City Zoo | The Kansas City Star

 

While it was clearly an awful ape house, I think it a real shame that this building could not be preserved and used in some way - it was a striking and, to employ a rather over-used word, iconic piece of architecture. It is our history that makes us who we are...

 

Next month, young bull elephant Tamani will arrive. Some younger females will come eventually to create a breeding herd.

Young male elephant is coming to the Kansas City Zoo | The Kansas City Star

 

Tamani has arrived.

Kansas City Zoo welcomes 9-year-old Tamani | fox4kc.com

 

Its an interesting one.. the sixties are now sufficiently devolved as to have genuine historical status,although as yet some/most of the architecture of the time still looks fairly awful - such is the case with Kansas` old Ape House, yet the renovation/conversion of older(much older) housing has been done superbly at the Bronx/Berlin/Vienna and many more,I think perhaps we should give the era a chance to achieve antique status before flattening it.
Ive been to Kansas just the one time,and I rather think my photos of the zoo`s massive "Africa" area wont ever tell me which zoo I was at without checking..whereas that old Ape House was forever Kansas.There is certainly a loss of identity with the immersion style..whatever other benefits may accrue.

 

The Zoo set an attendance record - over 900,000 visitors.

Kansas City Zoo sets attendance milestone | The Kansas City Star

 

Nikita will be leaving early next month.

Kansas City Zoo gets ready to send Nikita the polar bear to North Carolina - + KSHB.com

 

Male polar bear Nikita is now on the road to North Carolina.

Nikita the polar bear has left the (zoo) building | The Kansas City Star

 

I'd been planning to go to the Minnesota Zoo this weekend to see the monk seals, but due to the forecast of -1 that is no longer an option. Instead, my dad has offered to take me to the closer Kansas City Zoo, which will check a zoo off my list and be significantly warmer.

First though, are the outdoor exhibits open during winter? I know at the Blank Park Zoo here in Iowa nearly half the zoo closes during our chillier months. Since Kansas City is relatively close, do they have the same policy?
Also, is there any benefit to staying a in one of the partner hotels listed on the website, like a discount/package deal or closer proximity to the zoo?

Thanks!

 

The African animals have temperature restrictions on them so not all of them will be out. The African section is distinctly separate from the rest of the zoo. I believe the exhibits stay open, but not all animals are out. You may want to call ahead (maybe today since temps will be similar to this weekend) and ask about open exhibits. I will say that the rest of the zoo is great. There is a lot to see even if Africa doesn't have as much. Be sure to say hi to Roswell the squirrel monkey for me.
As for the partner hotels, I do not believe there is any discount with staying at one of them. The ones listed are pretty spread out throughout the city. The zoo is in a good location though, so no matter where you end up staying, you're no longer than 20 minutes away.

 

Thanks for the information. The forecast was suppossed to be in the 30's, but ended up closer to 2 F! (I should never trust google forecasts)I still made my family trek around the entire zoo, with frequent ducks into restrooms just to warm up. We only saw one other family crazy enough to be there after the 11:00 penguin march, which was entertaining and gave me an opportunity to chat with some keepers.
Since the African animals -- actually, most of the animals -- weren't out due to the cold, one keeper took pity on us and told us where to see some local wildlife in the zoo and that the crocodiles were indoors and on display in the African section.
All in all, I do see potential in the zoo and will be coming back in warmer temperatures for a better judgement.

 

New bull elephant Tamani explored the main outdoor habitat for the first time.

Kansas City Zoo?s bull elephant explores exhibit for first time | The Kansas City Star

 

Planning a trip to the zoo in the next couple days. I haven't been in a couple years, penguin plaza will definitely be a new experience. Any other new attractions/additions that might be of interest? I guess the orangutan exhibit is also new.

 

Is the new orangutan exhibit any good?

 

A female chimp was born Apr 8th but has been rejected by mom, Teeoni. While another female stepped into care for the baby she needed to be fed so keepers retrieved her. Hope is her mother will show interest in her again. If not she will go to a surrogate when ready.

Mom rejects baby chimpanzee at the Kansas City Zoo | The Kansas City Star

 

Chimp Rachel has passed away. Her one year old son Milo is being cared for by Dafina. The baby born last week continues to do well.

Chimp mother dies unexpectedly at Kansas City Zoo | fox4kc.com

 

Two Sumatran tiger brothers arrived from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Kansas City Zoo acquires two Sumatran tigers | The Kansas City Star

 

Male caracal, Nandi, has made his debut.

Kansas City Zoo welcomes a caracal, a species of cat | The Kansas City Star