Another new year means another winter trip to my home zoo. Here's some updates: *When I looked at the new parking lot area while driving in (which apparently is still not complete), there was absolutely no progress made in constructing the second entrance and otter area. They still have a Memorial Day weekend opening lined up, but unless there's a miracle that comes up, I'm quite sure that will not happen. *The path leading to the Animal Health Center was blocked off by snow. So no report on what is in quarantine at this time. *The Diana monkey exhibit remains empty. I think it's safe to now say that, considering the exhibit lights have been out and a closed sign has been up for nearly a year, and the fact that she was pretty old, that the monkey has passed away. I have heard of a few possibilities for the vacant exhibit, but because nothing has been confirmed nor made public, I will not say what will happen just yet. *Tom the orangutan seems to be enjoying the bachelor life. But not for long...according to a sign outside the exhibit, a young female orang is supposed to arrive in the spring. Whether it's a hybrid for companionship, or a pure bred female and then a pure bred male will eventually come in for breeding, I'm not sure. *A few more animals to add to the list enjoying the Milwaukee winters: Japanese macaque (surprised this was the first time seeing them in the winter), American black bear, red kangaroo, and even zebras. *Tafari the giraffe calf continues to do well. *I got the opportunity to see the new shade structures in the polar bear and seal exhibit areas. They will be very beneficial during the scorching summers not just for the animals, but for visitors as well. I will admit though, they are definitely distracting. *Unfortunately from what I heard, Max the Amur tiger will no longer be coming from Brookfield Zoo. No reasons have been given. *According to the map and the Zoo's facebook page, the next summer special exhibit will be "Bugs! Larger Than Life."
Two young lionesses have arrived. Welcome Savannah & Amali: Two young lionesses arrive at Milwaukee County Zoo | FOX6Now.com
A young female Sandhill Crane has also recently arrived. Meet Sandhill Crane Holly | Milwaukee County Zoo
I visited the zoo on February 28, and there isn't much to report. However, the Diana Monkey exhibit lights were on, and several vines were draped all around the exhibit; these vines had never been there before. My guess is there's going to be a new species in the exhibit in the near future? The vines looked way too weak to support anything larger than a marmoset, so that's my guess. Although, the information signs for the Diana Monkey were still up, so I cannot say for sure what is going on. Time will tell but I believe there is something going on there.
A new Amur tiger has arrived!! His name is Strannik, and he comes from the Toledo Zoo. New Amur tiger arrives at the Milwaukee County Zoo | FOX6Now.com
Cotton-top Tamarins will be moving into the former diana monkey exhibit. However, I am unsure if there will be some cotton tops remaining in the Small Mammal House and the zoo will acquire new ones for Primates of the World, or if they will be removed from the Small Mammal House completely, and their exhibit will be given to another animal there for more space. The spotted and ouachita map turtles are now in permanent residence in the former Western Fox Snake terrarium, and the Rainbow boa remains in the gaboon and rhinoceros vipers terrarium. Lastly, just a fun little moment from my visit today. I got to see Dakota, one of the American black bears, out and about. She stayed in the new dirt patches, smelling and scratching the ground. I can't wait until they plant something there! Some other minor changes were made to the exhibit but it was neat seeing her experience dirt for possibly the first time since she arrived at the zoo over 15 years ago.
The Zoo is participating in a study to capture tiger vocal recordings, which will be used to get a better count of tigers in the wild. Milwaukee Zoo recording big cats for study on tiger lingo
River Otter I was heartbroken this morning to see a sign in the Small Mammals building that our remaining river otter passed away recently. (I believe this is Oscar although the sign seemed to say that it was Oscar who passed away in 2014 and that it's Buddy who just passed away). At any rate, I am very sad that neither of these brothers got the chance to enjoy the new exhibit.
Male black rhino Brewster has died. This leaves Milwaukee with female Mimi as the only rhino. Black Rhino Brewster Euthanized Due to Health Issues | Milwaukee County Zoo
I got a couple of chances to quickly go around the Zoo on March 11th and 26th, and have a few updates – all of which are actually from the 26th: *Still nothing on the second entrance. *The cotton-top tamarins have settled into their new home in the Primates building. The new exhibit is the old Diana monkey exhibit, and it is a big improvement over their former area with plenty more space and climbing opportunities for the little primates. I do wish it was a little greener or had some woodchips added as opposed to entirely rockwork for the floor though. Otherwise, this is a great step for the Zoo, and hopefully can start a trend of slowly moving species out of that building. *The signage for the Asian black bear exhibit was taken down. Considering the bear’s age, I wouldn’t be surprised if she passed away but don’t know for sure. *Our trio of new cats seems to be settling in well. New lionesses Amali and Savanna, nicknamed Sunny, have adjusted to both exhibit areas nicely, and were fairly active in the indoor area on the 26th. I’ve only seen the new male tiger Strannik (by the way he is HUGE) once, on the 26th, but it looked like he was comfortable in the indoor habitat. *The indoor rhino and tapir area was fenced off. *According to the board in the Animal Health Center, the following are in quarantine: a female red panda, three male rockhopper penguins, and a Blanding’s turtle.
New Red Panda Dr. Erin Curry is a 9 month old red panda and is named after the Cincinnati Zoo's reproductive physiologist who tracked the pregnancy. She is paired with Dash and is very active and inquisitive!
Per my email conversation with the zoo, the bird aviary is reopening tomorrow, and the otter exhibit still is slated for the Memorial Day weekend opening as intended.
Great news about the aviary! Is the otter exhibit still planned to be in the new second entrance area down the hill from the Small Mammals building? Because I was just there a week ago, and from what I could see driving in the only construction taking place there (at last) was the foundations of a single building. Unless there was something I missed like the exhibit now being located elsewhere, I highly doubt the otters would be set for Memorial Day weekend.
A female giraffe was born. Born to Marlee & Bahatika, Milwaukee County Zoo announces birth of giraffe | FOX6Now.com
Giraffe Marlee's daughter has been named Zola. Meet "Zola" the Milwaukee County Zoo's Newest Baby Giraffe | Milwaukee County Zoo