North Carolina Zoo North Carolina Zoo News 2023

On January 1st, the zoo officially announced that their sand cats were moved to the former Cape porcupine exhibit in the Desert Dome.

登录 Facebook

 

On January 4th, the zoo posted a video of their newest animal ambassador, a prehensile-tailed porcupine named Papaya.

Facebook Link

 

Does anyone know if the zoo still has sitatunga? I know that website's don't always list all their species, but I noticed sitatunga wasn't on their website species list.

 

I think the zoo has three females in the Watani Grasslands. They spend nearly all their time in the brush between the heavy duty rhino fence and the outer antelope fence.

 

Does anyone have any visiting tips for the North Carolina Zoo? I may be taking a trip out to North Carolina in June. It’s not for sure yet, but just curious to see if anyone has any helpful tips?

 

Yes.
1. Be there at opening time, because the distances between the exhibits/zones are huge.
2. Use the "Africa"-entrance, so that you can see most of the big mammals in the morning and in the afternoon.
3. Avoid eating in a restaurant. It is even below "zoo-food-level". Take a lunch bag with you.
4. I was there at the end of May. It was already pretty warm then, but I had also a few showers during the day and locals told me, that this is normal. So I recommend to take a cover with you.
5. Watch out for (small) free ranging animals.
and last but not least
-Check the construction side of "Asia" and tell us the news as soon as possible

 

Ok thanks for the info! If I end up going, then I will give you guys a construction update! Also, maybe the baboon habitat renovation will be done.

 

So I was just looking at the NC Zoo’s website and if you go to the habitat page under experiences, I found that starting January 17, the gorilla habitat will be closed for a few months for habitat upgrades starting Jan. 17.

 

Does anyone know if the zoo has acquired another ostrich in the Watani Grasslands or in the giraffe/zebra exhibit since their last one died?

 

I know that the zoo plans to get some younger ostriches, but I don't think they will be going in the Watani Grasslands.

 

30-year-old white rhino, Natalie, was euthanized on January 10th, leaving the zoo with 0.7 rhinos.

 

Some updates from my trip yesterday.

• The smaller snapping turtle has been removed and the sign is gone. I don't know if it's for the season or permanent.
• Haji was out alone. I'm assuming they are adjusting him to the habitat. He had some fun watching the chimps and making a lot of noise.
• Artie was with two of the girls.
• The rhino exhibit got some new signage.

The new signage did not list them. They could still have them, but they were not signed and I did not see them (but with how big the enclosure is I could have missed them)

So far, they have not gotten more, but they could get them by June.

 

I just hope Haji and Mekita become friends.

 

Could you please give species names for Haji, Arti, etc. The vast majority of people reading your post won't know who they are, they could be African giant snails for all I know...

 

Haji's the zoo's new male lion, and Artie's one of the zoo's three African elephant bulls.

 

I will keep that in mind for next time, thank you.

 

African elephant Artie has been transferred to the Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee. 登录 Facebook

 

Surprising news for sure, and I hope he continues to get the best care possible. (And not get struck by the tuberculosis fairy)

 

This seems like a strange move. He does not seem to be a breeding bull, but there are social situations available at AZA facilities for additional African bulls. Curious what the background to this decision may have been.

 

This now means that all the zoo's elephants can be on habitat at the same time. C'Sar, Rafiki, Nkanda, Tonga, and Batir in one habitat and Louie in the other.