I went to the SF Zoo yesterday so I have some zoo news (I'm sorry if some of this stuff has already been said): The zoo has completely gotten rid of its monkey cages to make way for the Madagascar exhibit: Construction for new Madagascar exhibit | ZooChat The François’ langurs (Trachypithecus francoisi) now live in four small cages by the "Patas Lawn": New François' langur exhibits | ZooChat. I'm not a huge fan of the design or size but they're certainly functional as the monkeys ran around the two they had access using all of the climbing structures "Komodo Alley" is now "California Conservation Corridor" and includes three terrariums: one housing a San Francisco garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis tetrataenia) and a species of damselfly (I can't remember the species), one containing many California red-legged frog (Rana draytonii) (California red-legged frogs | ZooChat), and the last one containing three western pond turtles (Actinemys marmorata). The aviary next to the CCC now contains two large hornbills (I can't remember what species). The southern pudu (Pudu puda) was now where to be found. The capybara (Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris) where no where to be found. The Prevost's squirrel (Callosciurus prevostii) was no were to be found, however its sign was still up. Speaking of the Prevost's squirrel, the exhibit it is or was now contains a female Spix's guan (Penelope jacquacu), and according to the zoo sign, she is the only individual in North America. The exhibit also contains Australian laughing kookaburras (Dacelo novaeguineae) and South American scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber), which I though was an unusual mix.
I think the damselfly species is Ischnura gemina What is supposed to be in the new Madagascar exhibit?
Fossa I know for sure but other than that I think they may just be expanding the already massive lemur habitat.
More information and site plans on upcoming snow leopard exhibit expansion from consultant MK Think. New Habitat for Snow Leopards - MKThink San Francisco Zoo and Gardens - MKThink
More information and site plans on upcoming Madagascar exhibit from consultant MK Think, includes a brief species list. SF Zoo and Gardens - Biodiversity Hotspot in the City
At least FALKOR (his actual name) lived out his final days in a much better environment than the sewage drain that was his former habitat.
There's some more information in that video the zoo has on a loop in the old aye-aye exhibit. You'll have to sit through it a couple of times to get any real detail (as it goes by quickly), but none of these Madagascar specific updates engender any real excitement. That species list is also underwhelming. No crocodiles; no blue or helmet vanga*; no aye-aye. It has the outward appearance of collecting more surplus animals. * - I got to see a helmet vanga in Marojejy as it whizzed by at a million miles an hour. Only the blue bill allowed me to identify it, and I'd like to see another close up. Agreed. That fish tank thing was terrible. It's almost as bad as calling him "Big Daddy".
I hope falanouc are the mongoose featured in the Madagascar exhibit. I NEVER EVEN HEARD of a California red-legged frog before!!!! I can't believe that the zoo has the only Spix's guan in North America. Sorry about the Komodo dragon. I know a bearded dragon at my local nature center named Falcor.
Erie Zoo Orangutan Heading West Looks like San Francisco is getting orangutans very soon! Does anybody know where the zoo plans on keeping them? Last I knew they didn't have an appropriate exhibit space for orangs...
The zoo has prairie dog pups and is letting the public name them. Naming Contest Held For Baby Prairie Dogs Born At San Francisco Zoo
The new male chimp Qadeer/Gombe has successfully integrated into the group. He seems to spend the most time with Cobby. I’m told the zoo will be getting two females probably by the end of summer
Apparently the zoo's two new Bornean orangutans will be on display for "limited viewing" in Great Ape Passage. San Francisco Zoo on Twitter I hope the zoo is able to provide the animals a full exhibit soon because I am not the biggest fan of zoos importing new animals (especially large ones like great apes) when they don't have an exhibit (almost) completed for them.
I assume by "only one in North America" they mean the only one in Northern America (which basically means the U.S. and Canada) because I'm pretty sure I saw that there are some in Central American (which is part of North America) zoos.
I'm sorry, what? North America is Canada, the United States, and Mexico. You can add all those Caribbean countries too if you want, but Central America is definitely not a part. It's, at best, a subcontinent. Fun fact: Mexico's full-name following the 1824 Constitution is Estados Unidos Mexicanos. This is good news. I swear I saw him off exhibit a while back and was wondering when he'd be integrated into the group. With all the changes accelerating, it sounds like a visit is in order.
Two things: 1) Then how come whenever I type in "map of North America," Central America is included? 2) Interesting fun fact. I didn't know that.