The San Francisco Zoo news message thread was started in 1887 and had 17,000,007 messages so I am starting a new news thread for 2016 and beyond. (That may be a slight exaggeration, but not much.) The big news for 2016 supposedly is that SF Zoo is building a new great ape exhibit for orangutans and converting the old bear grottos into a Mexican wolf exhibit.
SF Zoo's Elly, the oldest black rhinoceros in North America, celebrates 45th birthday. San Francisco Zoo’s Black Rhino Turns 45 CBS San Francisco
I'm glad The Zoo's making use of the Grottos. Individually they're too small for large Bear species... I wouldn't be opposed to the Zoo getting Black Bears though and maybe rotating them with the Grizzlies in Grizzly Gulch. But it'll also be nice having a Canid species at the Zoo. Especially a critically endangered one. The last Canid at the zoo was a Coyote that lived in the Grotto next to the one attached to Grizzly Gulch. They should also bring in Maned Wolves at some point.
I talked to several of the Carnivore keepers when I was there last week. They've decided to keep Amanzi separate from mother, father and the cub, while he's small. She was showing some aggression during the introductions. Also, Sukari is going back into estrus soon, and the Zoo has the go ahead by the AZA to let her breed again. The Zoo's also trying to breed the snow leopards.
Does the zoo have snow leopards on exhibit now that the cat breeding complex is off limits to visitors?
They were when I was there. Not the greatest exhibit, but not bad. The off exhibit leopard can be visible at least of it chooses to. They have showed interest in each other.
Here is a peak back in time. In 1933, the S.F. Zoo added 10 tiny lion and tiger cubs in one day - SFGate
San Francisco Zoo brings new animal home - SFGate The SF zoo is providing a temporary home for an Andean Condor from Turtle Back Zoo. The last time the zoo had this species was in the early 2000s, when the "Puente al Sur" exhibit opened: (Southern Exposure / San Francisco Zoo's `Puente al Sur' exhibition spans the Americas - SFGate).
About time! I never understood why they didn't replace the previous Condor with a new one. They should set up a breeding program. They should also get more Capybara
Female giraffe calf: http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Baby-giraffe-born-at-San-Francisco-Zoo-7243689.php
Another article about the Giraffe-birth : Reticulated Giraffe Calf Born at San Francisco Zoo - ZooBorns
The zoo is welcoming back wolves. 3 Mexican Gray Wolf brothers have arrived. Wolves Returning To San Francisco Zoo After 20 Year Absence CBS San Francisco
Even with the new lion cub and the arrival of wolves, I don't know that I'll be visiting any time soon -- daily admission has lept up twenty bucks for non-SF residents and an annual pass is now only five bucks less than San Diego's (at the $135 mark). They've also dropped the free parking passes from the basic family membership level. I'd rather drive out to Sacramento or even Fresno.
The Mexican Gray Wolves have arrived and are officially on exhibit! Here's the link to the zoo's page describing the new exhibit, which was converted from the old bear grottos: https://sfzoo.worldsecuresystems.com/announcements/wolf-weekend Sounds like their trying to limit human interaction with the wolves as much as possible and their new exhibit has been fitted with automated feeders, cameras, and environmental condition sensors. I haven't seen any photos of the new exhibit yet, but I hope that some will be up soon!
I believe that's still up in the air. The zoo still doesn't have anywhere to properly house one, let alone two. The entire Primate Discovery Center needs a strong redesign.
The next Animail letter mentioned the sifaka exhibit again. The only new info is that it's opening Friday, August 19th.