Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh Zoo News 2014

Here's an interesting article on the use of Australian Cattle Dogs, Zeta and Major, in the management of the zoo's elephants.

Dogs Play Big Role For Elephant Handlers At Pittsburgh Zoo CBS Pittsburgh

 

Gorilla Galore has listed the zoo’s baby gorilla as being named D’Jembe. I found on the zoo’s newly updated website a press release on his 1st birthday. It announces the baby’s new name is Ivan. Either Gorilla Galore was wrong or D’Jembe was only a placeholder until a name was decided on a name. He is named after Ivan Gartner, who was general manager of the Zoo’s Food and Gift Operations for 20 years that recently passed away.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

 

Map 2014

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Summer 2014 Map

Additions:
Grant’s Zebras added to Giraffe Exhibit
Animal Care Center & Working Wild Exhibit (open Fri-Sun 1pm-3pm)
Cheetah image added where the Cheetah Exhibit

Subtractions:
Train (station remains, but tracks and name has been removed)

Changes:
Muntjac Exhibit to Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit

 

The zoo has told me that the cheetah, Komodo, and giraffe exhibits were to be back in the yards daily by this weekend, but the weather has delayed it. Giraffes will be in their weekends, but will not be during the week when the cheetah exhibit is under construction. The cheetahs should be back on exhibit by the last week of June. The Komodo exhibit should open around the second or third week in June. The zebras will be reintroduced later this season. The train is closed through 2014-2015.

 

Does anyone have status updates on the Top of the World exhibit? Seems that there's been little mention of any progress in recent months. Have they even broken ground? With the updates to the giraffe/cheetah areas, I'd be surprised to see another large exhibit opening up in the near future...not to mention the bear area as it is and Tropical Forest looking rather run down lately...

 

An article about the Galapagos tortoises.

90.5 WESA | Pittsburgh?s NPR News Station

 

Any idea where they were born (Brownsville, Chicago Brookfield or Phoenix)? Names?

 

The bear grottos will likely remain as long as Susan the black bear remains with us. The zoo has been filling the ranks recently including the new director of conservation and science that will spearhead research and conservation projects with Top of the World. No construction has begun on Top of the World because the zoo has been doing other projects like the new flamingo building for example.

 

The Pittsburgh Zoo’s two new Galapagos tortoises are summer visitors. They are on loan from Clyde Peeling’s Reptiland for the summer. See related articles below:

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium welcomes its first-ever visit by Galapagos tortoises - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pittsburgh Zoo receives 2 tortoises - Toledo Blade

Two Galapagos Tortoises Are Making The Pittsburgh Zoo Their Home For The Summer | 90.5 WESA

 

According to Facebook, the Komodo dragons are now on exhibit. I would then assume their new building attached to their exhibit is most likely complete. This leaves the cheetah exhibit opening and the long-awaited debut of the elephant seal exhibit. Once the cheetah exhibit is done, the giraffes can return to their exhibit full time and the zoo can begin work that will re-introduce the Grant’s zebras to the giraffe exhibit.

 

For the first time in the Zoo's history, a macaroni penguin chick hatched.

First Ever Macaroni Penguin Born At Pittsburgh Zoo CBS Pittsburgh

 

The zoo has settled with the parents of the boy who was killed by the African Wild Dogs. Its a shame they are going to have to pay to a mother who is 100% responsible for ignoring warning signs. If she had obeyed zoo rules and followed common logic her son would still be alive. Just that simple. Its completely unfair an irresponsible parent gets to be considered the victim while the zoo is somehow the bad guys. I wont be surprised when one day zoos are forced to put people in tunnels just so they cant hurt themselves and then sue the zoo.

Parents Settle Pittsburgh Zoo Lawsuit in Mauling - ABC News

 

Coolio the elephant seal will not appear on-exhibit until next year according to the latest Zoo Connections. The zoo also has a baby giant Pacific octopus named Stanley. See the link below.

ISSUU - Zoo Connections - June 2014 by Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

 

According to someone’s post on the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium’s Facebook page, the zoo’s Grant’s zebras have made their debut.

 

according to the pics in this article about the zoos latest GALA event the zoo has a 8 week old snow leopard named Anna.

Guests meet the animals during Pittsburgh zoo's gala | TribLIVE

 

This article says that the zebras will make their debut on the Fourth of July weekend.
Baby Zebras Get Special Training At Pittsburgh Zoo CBS Pittsburgh

 

One of Pittsburgh Zoo's most popular animals makes a comeback - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

SeaWorld Polar Bears Pregnant? 2 Return from Pittsburgh Fling | Times of San Diego

 

The new Komodo dragon holding building is complete and open.

The Galapagos tortoises are now in the old muntjac exhibit and I think it has been made slightly bigger.

The giraffes and zebras will live in part of the exhibit while the Giraffe and Zebra Overlooks are built.

The cheetah exhibit appears to be close to done, but it may be delays because there is a construction entrance between the holding building and the exhibit currently. A female peacock was living in there. The peacocks live where they want to live.

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Gallery

 

I have read somewhere online the Giraffe and Zebra Overlooks will open by next summer and will provide additional seating for the Safari Village restaurants overlooking the giraffe/zebra, elephant, and the distant gazelle exhibit. The Overlooks have not been announced by the zoo yet, but the zoo has a sign up but with not much details.