You took he words right out of my mouth. I keep hoping it'll happen soon, but considering they're building some 4D theater near the main snack bar and they still haven't broken ground on the tiger exhibit, I won't hold my breath.
Those new projects would not have any relationship to Phoenix Zoo getting cheetahs. The cheetah situation (as far as I know) is just dependent on when cats are available from one of the few AZA breeding centers. Wildlife World is not part of AZA so they imported theirs from South Africa instead.
It was announced on the news tonight that the cheetahs arrived a few weeks ago and are now on exhibit. I really have mixed feelings about this.
I have seen the exhibit (without the cheetahs) in person and it seems to be a decent exhibit. Some exhibits at this zoo are dubious, but not this one. I don't think you need to have mixed feelings about seeing the cheetahs there.
I've seen pictures and video footage of the new exhibit and it does look pretty nice, I'll admit. But it's the overall quality of the zoo that gives me the mixed feelings. It's not exactly going to win awards for anything.
A couple tidbits from Facebook (early November, 2014): 1) The train through the African hoofstock yards has been replaced with a new train. 2) The outdoor sea lion pool and the new jaguar exhibit should be completed by the end of the month.
i still need to go see their cheetahs and with the supposed opening of the outdoor jaguar exhibit there's extra incentive. Reid Park takes priority, though. i have to go there first.
Here is a nice little article about the new sea lion exhibit. (Also a small bit at the end about the new train). Shipwreck in the desert | West Valley View
Found this video that gives you a good look at the new sea lion habitat. Also shows the new tapir and giraffe babies. What's new at the Wildlife World Zoo? | azfamily.com Phoenix
Here is a live newscast from the new cheetah exhibit on Christmas morning (zoo is open on Christmas day). It gives a good idea of what the exhibit looks like. The zoo expert makes one statement that is pure wishful thinking. He says they have an unrelated male and female pair so there may be babies in the future. Anyone who knows anything about cheetah breeding knows this is virtually impossible given their setup. Cheetahs - 12/25 - FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com
Two notes from Facebook (January 2015): 1) A new white rhinoceros is now on exhibit in the yard that was left empty when the last one died. (No info given on name or gender or source facility). 2) The new jaguar exhibit will be completed and cats moved in by the end of January. (They previously said end of December but I guess completion got delayed).
No, they are a male and female that were imported together (from South Africa I presume), but they are unrelated. I happened to find the US Fish and Wildlife import permit application online several months ago, and it called for three cheetahs. Not sure why it was changed to two.
Oh, okay. I vaguely recall you sharing the application and it saying 3 so I wonder why it ended up only being 2 as well. And as for babies...well...only if they're real lucky and they got a rather manly male that she happens to be attracted to. hahaha Thank you!
According to this live news report, the new white rhino is a three year old male named Butch. No information given on where he came from. Rhino - 1/13 - FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com
Here is a news broadcast showing the new jaguar exhibit. I am glad he says they are going to add some plants in the near future. Wildlife World Zoo: Fitz the jaguar - FOX 10 News | fox10phoenix.com
The Facebook Post from April 25 includes a construction update with photos of the new Americas area. Surprisingly, only one animal exhibit is mentioned (bears) and all the photos show carnival style rides. There are roughly two dozen replies, a few positive, but most negative. If these replies are any indication, regular visitors and members seem very disappointed with this new direction. Most ZooChatters (myself included) would fall into this camp. Obviously they are doing it as a revenue source and I think one reason for it is that there is not one single theme park in all of Arizona.
A small electrical fire will cause a very short closure of one of the four aquarium buildings. World Wildlife Zoo aquarium closes after small fire
