Some information about "Trail of the Jaguar" - opening to the public next week! Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, opens ‘best jaguar exhibit in the country’
Based on the photos I have seen there is no way this is "the best jaguar exhibit in the country." And I hope they get jaguarundi soon as well - I just found out about this.
There are exactly three facilities in the USA with jaguarundi, none of which are AZA accredited. (I will list them in the order they received jaguarundi). Project Survival's Cat Haven (California) Exotic Feline Breeding Compound (California) Bear Creek Feline Center (Florida)
I visited this little zoo yesterday. I am very glad I waited to go until the Trail of the Jaguar exhibit opened because it was the highlight of the zoo. The outside jaguar exhibit was very nice, and they have an inside holding area for guests to view the one of the two sets. They also rotate so one set isn't getting the short end of the stick. The ocelot and coati exhibits are pretty nice, but both are mostly unoccupied due to the inhabitants habits. I expected the area to be more spread out, but it's really in a circle. You see the outside view of the coati exhibit and then you go into the building where you see the other side of the coati exhibit and across the hall are the other exhibits. The other exhibits are nothing to rave about, although the bald eagle exhibit was pretty nice. The river otter and lynx exhibits were blocked off as they plan to renovate them. The red pandas were also off exhibit as they are doing construction in their bedroom area. I was pretty much able to see everything in a half hour, and that includes time to take photos.
You know, I am kicking myself for not asking! There was a zookeeper in the building at one point, I should have asked her about it. That would be the only reason I return to this zoo until they start improving their other exhibits!
I have heard from a source in the zoo profession that a few zoos are importing jaguarundi from Brazil so I assume Elmwood Park is one of them. The import was imminent from what I was told, though I was not given specific dates.
The Zoo’s three Chilean flamingos are moving to Roger Williams Park Zoo soon. Elmwood Park Zoo's Flamingos Leaving For Rhode Island
A new tiger exhibit is being added to the zoo Elmwood Park Zoo Adding Siberian Tiger Exhibit Funded By J.P. Mascaro & Sons Foundation
Elmwood Park will be closed until at least March 27, following the recommendation of the PA Department of Health.
The zoo got two new Patagonian mara! They can currently be seen inside of the old capybara building next to the pond.
