According to the zoo's website, the West African Forest habitat is now opened which houses the West African Dwarf Crocodile
Yes. Not much to report. Opening this section involved uncovering a wall of windows so that you can see inside. You could basically see the exterior when the penguin exhibit and waterfall opened. It's interior is similar to the crocodile exhibit next to the pigmy hippos. I saw one dwarf crocodile and two species of turtle. The walls blocking the view of the next section of netted exhibits was taken down. I was absolutely impressed with this portion. The interior of these exhibits looked to be in process of being landscaped, so the topography seemed completed minus most foliage. I felt small looking up the trail which winds between what appeared to be three new exhibits. The exhibits were taller than I had expected. The nearest exhibit to my left had the cut out of a large cat in an artificial tree that was still being created. My wife thought leopard, I thought fossa. That exhibit, if fossa, was quite large. All three seemed quite large. I am very excited for this next portion to be opened. Before seeing it I had not been terribly impressed with what had opened of Africa Rocks. Coming from 22 years experience in the theme park game there is too much infrastructure visible for my taste. The huge retaining wall along the bus road of Africa Rocks completely kills immersion for me with the foliage being so low to the ground and young. Maybe in time, it will grow in and improve. Also views of prefab buildings that seem too support the theatre is off putting. A zoo really isn't a theme park, but I appreciate when backstage is hidden from public view, and every foot of walkway is treated as an experience. This next section will probably please this desire based on what can reasonably be expected of a zoo and an area with such a restrictive budget.
Sorry, I don't recall. I'm more a mammal/bird person, I tend to bypass small reptiles and insects. My wife doesn't like them for the stereotypical reasons. But turtles are usually acceptable. The signage was an odd distance away from the exhibit, meaning it wasn't in front of the viewing window. If you wanted to identify the names of the species present you need to remember them or walk back a few feet and look. Again, sorry.
Just visited today. Turtle species are Gabon Forest Turtle (Pelusios gabonensis) and West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus).
I went to the Zoo a couple weeks ago (hint, hint), and the Croc exhibit was still under construction. Opened pretty quick, didn't it?
So no one has reported it on this thread, so I may as well do it. The zoo is hoping to import 1.1 Platypus from Taronga zoo. San Diego Zoo - Platypus...
I don't know if this qualifies as news, but African Spoonbill broke its two on a tumble yesterday at the Scripps Aviary. African Spoonbill falls in Scripps Aviary - 8/15/17 | ZooChat
Three week old okapi calf, Mosi, is on exhibit. Endangered Okapi Born at San Diego Zoo, Now Welcoming Visitors - Times of San Diego
/entertainment/things-to-do/sd-me-test-wonders-20170817-story.html This article mentions in passing that Ethiopian Highlands will open in October.