My friend visited earlier this week and said that all of the baboons (meaning presumably both the Hamadryas and geladas) were off exhibit. Does anyone know anything about that?
The "pandas leaving the zoo" topic has been split off to here: San Diego Zoo - Pandas are leaving San Diego Zoo
The zoo is gonna be the focus of an upcoming Animal Planet TV show, following in the Bronx Zoo's footsteps. Animal Planet Going Behind the Scenes at San Diego Zoo in New Series (Exclusive)
Researchers have discovered, and found a way to correct, a cause of rhino infertility. San Diego Zoo finds, corrects a cause of rhino infertility
This show is SO cool and so popular that I'm kinda hoping this SD version is in addition to the Bronx show, and not replacing it!
Interestingly, the article says that viewers will be introduced to, among others, pandas. Yet further indication that their departure may have been quite sudden.
My understanding of this production cycle is about four months of filming, two months of post-production and editing, and then release. I was at the Bronx Zoo for Boogie Down in August when a curator told me Season 3 was just getting underway. I think they did use the full four months, because the before/after growth of Peaches the Warthog was tremendous. January and February were used for editing, and they released in March. It'll be interesting to see how/if this is addressed. Conspicuously absent from the Bronx's season 3 is the death of Maxine the elephant, likely due to the amount of energy "animal interests" have devoted to disparage this elephant program since 2006. I thought the segment on Patty's TB was more than worth any risk in inciting controversy, because it showed just how well cared for these elephants are. But without a larger context explained, the sudden return of SD's bears could be as sensitive as Maxine's sudden death.
I haven't seen it yet but I heard they have a new heated artificial tree. All new glass, new walkways for the keepers, and everything has been painted.
Four of the nine bonobos were on exhibit yesterday. The rest will be moved sometime this week. I posted photos of the improvements made to the exhibit.
