On my visits a few years ago they were on exhibit. Their exhibit was next to the tiger exhibit, so maybe it is being taken over for the new tiger expansion?
Thanks for posting. I'm sure that some men will be shocked to see a Boelen's Python above their heads while they use the urinal. Good luck to ZooChatters attempting to get a photo of the reptile exhibit in a crowded restroom.
The tiger and Andean best exhibits were supposed to open in spring. I think the South American complex (including Andean bear) is now scheduled to open this fall.
The new entry road, new Entry Village and new ZipLine edged everything else out this Spring in the new construction and landscaping category.
https://www.nashvillezoo.org/our-blog/posts/special-delivery-alligator-snapping-turtles Alligator snapping turtle conservation.
Another article about the head-starting programm for Alligator snapping turtles : Zoo Gives Baby Snappers a Head Start - ZooBorns
22 lorikeets hatched this year, and a new nursery is opening at Lorikeet Landing, currently occupied by two chicks. Anteater Conservation
Nashville is realy doing a good job on this species, anybody an idea how large the entire North American population of Giant ant-eaters is ?
That is quite a good number!! How many individuals qualify as founders in the total AZA population (out of interest)? Another out of interest: what kind of nutritional regime and protocol does the AZA have for anteaters in participating zoos?
@Kifaru Bwana : The article mentions that 17 giant anteaters were imported since 2000; in addition to importing the first two, I believe Nashville was responsible for several of the other recent imports as well. It added a significant amount of gene diversity to the population, and if all of the founders are recruited, it will almost certainly qualify as a Green SSP (for species that can retain 90% of their gene diversity for at least a century). Since the founders were recent, they are of reproductive age as well, so the chances of recruiting them is high and I'm sure many of them have already reproduced. As to the diet husbandry protocols, I'm not sure about that; my guess is that it's more of an institutional choice, but I'm sure they all share information and use similar dietary plans. Using ants is obviously not cost-effective or effort-efficient, so I imagine they are fed on a moist or liquefied mixture of protein and perhaps vegetables (supplemented with vitamins, of course). Do you know anything about the EAZA population? I'm always interested to hear about husbandry across the pond.
