Milwaukee County Zoo Milwaukee County Zoo News 2022

There should be two, Asa Milja's father, and Orya, her mother. Since Orya's genes are so valuable and unrepresented in the US (aside from Milja herself) I'm thinking & hoping there are plans to breed the pair again.

 

She should be moving to Akron Zoo.

 

No reason why they wouldn't try to breed them again

 

There are trying to breed them again. Milja is going to Akron for future breeding as well.

 

I assumed that was the case

 

I wouldn't be surprised if a bonobo is born within the next year or too either. I've never seen a legitimate baby bonobo before, so I'm excited!

 

Zoo receives $3.5 million grant to upgrade Humboldt penguin exhibit, front entrance:

https://www.tmj4.com/news/local-news/milwaukee-county-zoo-upgrading-penguin-exhibit-front-entrance

The zoo is currently in the planning and design phase for the new exhibit, which could take six to eight months. The zoo will then begin to hire contractors. Morris said the zoo hopes to begin work in 2023.

 

It’s beginning to look like a possible busy next few years.

Status of projects
Green - it’s a go!
Yellow - has been announced but no construction start date
Red - rumored or canceled projects

2022
- Elephant pool filtration construction (yellow)

2023
- Front Entrance/Penguin exhibit (yellow)
- Rhino exhibit (yellow)

2024
- Alaskan cold coast (red)

 

What year will the new Black Rhino exhibit be opened to the public? I'm guessing construction with the exhibit takes about 18 months, and will start in late 2023. Therefore, I think the rhino exhibit might not be completed until 2025.

 

I'd hardly call Alaska's Cold Coast rumored or canceled. It's been talked about for several years and the new director has already repeatedly stated that he has a strong desire for the zoo to exhibit cold tolerant animals. With that said, I do hope that he takes it in a more ambitious direction than the old plan which felt like more of a fresh coat of paint rather then something brand new.

It is very exciting that 2024 could potentially see the completion of three different projects: the rhino and hippo complex, penguin exhibit, and revamped main entrance.

 

The plan is to start construction by next February, which means the exhibit could be done around summer 2024 at the earliest.

 

Another thing the zoo needs to consider is bringing in some new hippos. Happy is currently 41 and Patti just turned 53, which means they are never breeding again, even though both have had calves (Happy had Jonsey at Fort Worth in 1984 and Patti had Puddles (1976-2013) in Milwaukee.)

 

No I completely agree with you on Alaskan Cold Coast, however since nothing has been officially released yet on it, it’s rumored. I’m leaving them room to change plans and potentially go with a different project first.

I know with ACC one of the main animals they wanted to display was polar bears and with the current status of polar bears I’m not sure if they will be able to display them.

I think that if 2023 does have several projects open that year, I would draw a lot of excitement and energy that the zoo desperately needs in order to do some larger projects.

 

Do you know if the penguin exhibit is planning to be an expansion or a brand new exhibit?

 

I contacted the zoo myself and they responded saying it was an expansion and renovation of the existing exhibit. I suppose depending on how far they go with the project it could feel like a brand new exhibit.

 

The zoo confirmed today via instagram reply comment that the last potto at the zoo has passed away and they are not scheduled to receive any new ones.
Also of note, the new Red&Yellow Barbets were not in the aviary one my last visit, and the sign for them had been removed.

 

Unsurprising as there aren't many left to go around-- 5.5 in the entire population.

 

I knew they were rare, but I didn't know they were that rare! I'm glad I got the opportunity to see them so many times then, they are a very active and interesting species and make a great display animal.

 

Nocturnal animals are very underrated

 

Wow! I didn't know the number was so low. Do you know which locations have the remaining pottos?