Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium News 2016

Article and video with Dr Barbara Baker discussing the future exhibits at the zoo.

Construction underway for Pittsburgh Zoo?s Jungle Odyssey | WPXI

 

Are the bear pits still in used? Are there any plans to improve/phase out the exhibits for gorillas and orangutans?

 

To my understanding, the grottos have been out of use for many years now besides the one elderly black bear. I was there two years ago and saw her but Im not sure if she is still there or has died since.

The video interview mentions that JunOdd. will have a outdoor area for the Orangs. I would think that they would tear down the wall that separates the current orang exhibit and the gorilla indoor holding once they get their new home. It would create one large area for the gorilla troop considering it would is very out of date it has no outdoor access I couldnt see them putting a new species in there. But who know what they'll do.

New exhibit for the snow leopards is planned for the Mountain area so they can start breeding which is really exciting.

 

Pittsburgh Zoo Looking Ahead To New Exhibits After Success Of ‘The Islands’ CBS Pittsburgh

 

Three of the four bear areas have been completely filled in to make a hill and planted with trees and bushes. The old Kodiak remains with the moat filled in for historical reasons and to provide room the new cheetah building takes away from the area. The orangutans will get a new indoor and out door exhibits in the new solarium which is really needed. I expect the gorillas to take over their old exhibit area.

 

Coolio!
Pittsburgh Zoo’s Sand Tiger Sharks Moving South CBS Pittsburgh

 

Beat me to it lol Can't Wait

 

Urg, FINALLY Coolio will be on display. It only took them 2 and a half years with literally zero updates in between after they got him to get to this point.

 

Excuses to go to Pittsburgh! Yay! My mom and I loved seeing wild northern elephant seals in California, but Coolio will be a lot closer to home!

 

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Improving

 

Wildlife Legacy Campaign

TOP OF THE WORLD ELEVATES INTO MILLIONS

Zoo Welcomes One Million Visitors with Opening of The Islands and Wildlife Legacy Campaign secures $14 million

(Pittsburgh) (2016)—The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is celebrating success! The Islands, which is the first phase of the Zoo’s dynamic and expansive development project, Top of the World, has seen over one million visitors since its opening day in June of last year. In addition, the Zoo’s $30 million Wildlife Legacy Campaign has already achieved $14 million dollars.

“This is a very exciting time for us,” says Dr. Barbara Baker, President & CEO of the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium. “We are deeply appreciative of the wonderful and continuous major support from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, DSF Charitable Foundation, Colcom Foundation, and The Grable Foundation. These amazing foundations enable us to continue to grow and enhance our visitors’ experiences through world-class exhibits and engaging animal species.”

Top of the World will be situated on the remaining six acres of Zoo property with the development of innovative state-of-the-art animal habitats featuring up close views of new endangered and threatened animals. The campaign also includes the construction of a new Maternal Health Care Center at the International Conservation Center in Somerset County.

The first phase of Top of the World, The Islands, opened last summer and introduced visitors to new endangered species never before seen in Pittsburgh, including Philippine crocodiles, siamangs, Visayan warty pigs, and clouded leopards.

Construction is currently underway for the second phase, Jungle Odyssey, which will immerse visitors into a jungle environment highlighting animals including the giant anteater, pygmy hippopotamus, ocelot, capybara, and fossa. Jungle Odyssey will be followed by an indoor Conservation Solarium, housing some of the world’s most magnificent reptiles. The final installment of Top of the World will feature mountain-inspired habitats.

“Having the ability to encourage visitors to learn more about animals and conservation is so important, especially today when we hear and see many species in danger of extinction from poaching, loss of habitat, and human conflict,” says Dr. Baker.

In addition, construction of the African elephant Maternal Health Care Center at the Zoo’s International Conservation Center in Somerset County is scheduled to be completed later this summer. The 37,000-square-foot home is designed to enhance the reproductive success of endangered African elephants in a natural herd environment.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

 

Zoo?s five sand tiger sharks heading to Florida facility for breeding, tank will become home to elephant seal | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Anyone know the construction progress on Jungle Odyssey besides the vague time estimate of some time later this year?

 

The three holding buildings are erected and dried in. Ocelot and Fossa (separated) mesh is up. There was not much done, furnishing-wise for Pygmy Hippo, Giant Anteater/Capybara. Job site is still messy, lots of debris, grading to go. Plus paving, landscaping. It's safe to say at this date, it's TBD. Maybe a soft opening of viewing animals in winter displays. Pure speculation on the latter, though.

 

It is sounding like the zoo will have a big spring with the opening of Jungle Odyssey and the debut of Coolio. No dates yet. The zoo is projecting spring openings for both exhibits. The is also construction going on at the International Conservation Center and I believe that may have delayed Jungle Odyssey.

 

The Village Market and Village Outfitters have received new signage. Savanna Stop also received new signage. The Galapagos tortoises have moved back to their former exhibit in Africa Savanna and it appears to have had some slight improvements. The zoo’s Aldabra tortoises have moved into their former exhibit in The Islands. Argentine horned toad now in the former poison dart frog exhibit in Tropical Forest. The new cheetah building with winter viewing has been complete next to the exhibit. The zoo will no longer have to move them back and forth from the Animal Care Center. It also appears there have been some improvements/changes to some of the exhibits in PPG Aquarium. With the sand tiger sharks gone, their old exhibit is now being renovated for Coolio the elephant seal. The water is out and all of the glass is covered up. Jungle Odyssey construction continues. The fossa and ocelot exhibits appear to be somewhat complete. The buildings for the giant anteater/capybara exhibit and the pygmy hippo exhibit are up, but a lot of work needs to be done on these exhibits. Some plants have already been added to the area. Jungle Trails is already on the map, but I think there have been changes/modifications since the maps were made.

 

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Achieves Humane Certification for Animal Welfare

 

Penguins on parade is set to begin for another season, weather permitting.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium penguins ready to waddle into winter

 

If I visit this zoo sometime between mid December-early January, how many of the animals could I realistically expect to see?

 

Anyone have photos of the elephant seal exhibit yet?