Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo news 2018

Is Rayma and Tommy the orangutan paired for ssp? I was wondering that today since Tommy is both Bornean and Sumatran.

 

The orangutan SSPs do not recommend any hybrid orangutans to breed at this time. In addition, Rayma is under 14 (albeit barely), which is the current threshold for Bornean orangutan females recieving SSP breeding recommendations.

 

That’s what I was wondering, once I saw he was a hybrid I was thinking he’s probably not recommended. It’s interesting though since Tommy was born at the zoo, that he’s a hybrid.

 

Gary Lunsford, from the Assiniboine Park Zoo, has taken up the position of director of animal management and health.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.jsonline.com/amp/2002447002

 

Here's a little more info:

Plans for Proposed Underwater Viewing Hippo Exhibit Unveiled at Zoo Press Conference Oct. 8 | Zoological Society of Milwaukee

 

I wonder if anything changed cause they are asking for now $13 million, according to the county budget for the hippo exhibit. Also that article was back in 2008, so nearly 10 years later and it’s finally happening.

 

I didn't even notice it was that old. Well then the old planned exhibit seems pretty similar to the new planned one.

 

I guess Rayma is heading to Phoenix in the near future. I'm a little surprised about the transfer, and am wondering if we will get a new female to replace her?
Rayma Readies For Move To Phoenix Zoo | Milwaukee County Zoo

 

Must be a relatively new development, I guess.
BTW: The other local orang at Milwaukee is a hybrid male!

 

Is it possible Milwaukee is attempting to phase out Orangutans?

 

Sorry, do not have a clue. I just know one is a regular Bornean (female) and the other is a hybrid orang (male). And this would preclude any breeding at Milwaukee, I am guessing.

What are the plans for primates in Milwaukee long term, then?

 

I would say that they aren’t trying to phase them out, they may be trying to get Rayma part of the SSP. They currently can’t do that with Tommy cause he’s a hybrid. I know in their new master plan they plan on having a larger enclosure. So this may be part of the plan to keep Tommy for a few years and then build a new enclosure when he passes.

 

The plan is to renovate the current Apes of Africa and Primates of the World into a new area called The Jungle. The plan is to renovate the Gorilla, Bonobo, Siamang, Mandrill, and colobus exhibits (the colobus renovations have already happened and the zoo is currentley in the process of renovating the Mandrill and Siamang exhibits). Ornags were also included in this plan, but if Rayma is being moved, then I wouldn't be surprised if the Orangutans were cut from the plan. Dwarf Mongooses, and tree shrews are included in the plan, and possibly also tree kangaroos, bushbabies, pottos, sloths, agoutis and dourocoulis.

 

I wouldn’t rule it out yet. I feel that the Primates building is still on the plans to renovate but since it was one of the newer exhibits, it’s been pushed to the back of the major renovations and the smaller upgrades to colobus exhibit was a temporary fix. The major renovation is yet to come. The zoological society raised more money than was needed for the colobus and the extra funds are going adventure Africa.

 

Email blast I received today about the new hippo home.

“the Zoological Society we want a new home for the Zoo’s two hippos, Happy and Patti,”

“The entire exhibit will be transformed, creating a new pool with underwater viewing. Since hippos spend about 16 hours a day underwater, the new exhibit will bring you closer to the animals. The new pool will be three times larger and include a filtration system that will help save more than 20 million gallons of water a year! The system is not only great for conservation efforts, it will also give you a cleaner and up-close view of the Zoo’s hippos”

 

Few updates from the zoo:

• There were 3 chicks hatched for the Gentoo's
• The southern gift shop is being remodled
  • Redesigned gift shop by MKE Zoo guy posted 23 Dec 2018 at 9:08 PM
• Anissa, she is a new Colobus monkey to the zoo
• The beach exhibit in the aviary is under construction after roof repair was done about the exhibit
• The art piece by the orangutan's is replaced by a film now
• "Kash" is now the only male tiger at the zoo. The triplets father died earlier this year.
• The West Giraffe Yard is now sponsored by Quinn & Jane Martin. New plaque.

Adventure Africa is coming along. Ruth and Britany can be seen outside in their side yard when the weather is warm enough. Here are some pictures I've been taking of the construction, Adventure Africa: Phase I.

Potential Signage for Adventure Africa: Elephants by MKE Zoo guy posted 23 Dec 2018 at 8:31 PM