Kelsey Stewart
But other changes will enhance the animal experience. The gorillas have new climbing structures and tree limbs in both the indoor and outdoor spaces. Officials also raised the elevation in the outdoor exhibit space, bringing the gorillas up to window height.
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The outdoor exhibit is now home to a shallow stream and a handful of waterfalls. It also features new landscaping with multiple species of grasses, bushes and trees to allow for natural foraging.
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Additional climbing structures were installed in the indoor exhibit. New lighting will help to better illuminate the space and parts of the space were made more accessible to the entire group of gorillas.
Zoogoers can find gorilla sculptures scattered around the building. A new education hub features interactive touch screens and photo murals. A large video screen will play videos explaining things like the training process and the zoo's conservation efforts.
WOWT wrote:One elephant, Claire, has knowingly been pregnant for several months. But after a rollercoaster ride of hormones, ultrasounds, and tests, the zoo also confirmed that Kiki is pregnant. The confirmation came after Kiki’s hormone levels bounced back and forth, creating worry about whether or not she was actually pregnant. Zoo officials say an elephant reproductive analyst was brought in and located one little foot and blood flow to the uterus. The fetus’ heartbeat was then confirmed a month later by a veterinarian.
Both elephants, Claire and Kiki, are expected to be due within days of each other in February 2022. These births will mark the first and second time a baby elephant has ever been born at Henry Doorly Zoo.
WOWT wrote:The baby was born to first-time mother Betty Francis and father Jawara, who has sired five calves. The naming privileges were auctioned off in September at the zoo’s annual Zoofari Fundraiser and were announced Tuesday.
The baby giraffe’s name is Arthur, says Diane Kohout, the zoo’s communications manager
Omaha Zoo wrote:Happy New Year to us! We’re excited to announce Kiki, an 18-year-old African elephant, gave birth to a calf at 11:33 a.m. today. Mom and calf are doing well. The gender and weight of the calf are unknown at this time. The calf is the first elephant born at the Zoo.
Animal Care Staff implemented a 24-hour watch for Kiki Thursday, January 6, when they noticed a continual drop in her progesterone levels, indicating labor would take place soon.
Kiki delivered the calf with all females in the herd present. At this time, the Elephant Family Quarters will remain closed to the public to allow Animal Care Staff time to observe bonding, maternal behaviors and nursing.
Callee, the father, is 21 and joined Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in 2019.
The Zoo is awaiting the arrival of a second African elephant calf also due this winter.
Visitors will have the opportunity to reserve a timed ticket to see the calf with the herd in the Elephant Family Quarters once reopened.
Updates about the elephants and timed ticketing will be provided via media alerts and the Zoo’s social media pages as additional information becomes available.
I assume that the zoo doesn't have the space and budget for too many adult elephants and once they reach maturity they'll be carted off to other zoos, or does the zoo plan on keeping them?
ChadJK wrote: Tue Feb 01, 2022 3:43 pm
I assume that the zoo doesn't have the space and budget for too many adult elephants and once they reach maturity they'll be carted off to other zoos, or does the zoo plan on keeping them?
I seem to recall they have capacity for 12. I bet its somewhere in this thread if you wanted to search...
That said, I'm sure they will trade with other zoos for breading purposes.
The G.O.A.T Mission | The G.O.A.T Mission and More | Nebraska Stories | Nebraska Public Media
San Clemente Island goats are one of the rarest breeds of goats. Once plentiful on the island off the coast of California, they are now considered an endangered species. Two Nebraskans are on a mission to keep the goats from going extinct. And to do that, they need to give the San Clemente Island goats a purpose and show the world their value. They’ve got a plan to do just that.
Saw that Dennis Pate is planning on retiring soon. They are going to begin a national search for his replacement. He has done an amazing job with all the recent additions to the zoo.
A third elephant calf is expected next year at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium in Omaha on Wednesday, March 16, 2022. Lolly, who is about 11 years old, is pregnant, and her calf will join Eugenia and Sonny, who were born into the herd earlier this year.
Was just at the zoo today and there was definitely a lot of work being done everywhere. Lots of paths ripped up and sections closed, even in newer areas like the meerkat trail and the glacier landing space.
Last edited by Garrett on Sat Mar 26, 2022 2:41 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Garrett wrote: Fri Mar 25, 2022 8:58 pm
Was just at the zoo today and there was definitely a lot of work being doing everywhere. Lots of paths ripped up and sections closed, even in newer areas like the meerkat trail and the glacier landing space.
Thanks for the reminder, we were there the two weeks ago. We were looking in from near the entrance to the sealion exhibit. It look as if they are relocating the carousel not too far where it currently sits? May be 50' south of its present location?
They had a story recently saying they are moving the carousel to make space for a shop selling things for the splash pad and a shaded area with umbrellas. They are also moving the plane and going to put it in the air to make it appear that it is coming in for a landing.
Here are the quotes from the World Herald article:
The plaza also will get additional seating and a trellis to provide shade near the dining area. Other changes will include more planted areas, lighted pathways and improved drainage. The Kugel Ball Fountain will be back with better drainage to make the area less slippery.
The side of the Lozier Theater that abuts the plaza will have the artificial rock removed and replaced with stucco. It will feature large arched windows that have images of animals in them.
Moving the carousel will allow for double the seating as well as extra stroller parking. Large umbrellas will be installed to provide more shade.
The carousel will move across the pathway to a spot that previously housed a sea plane. The plane will move up the hill and be placed on a pedestal to make it look like it’s coming in for a landing.
The Alaskan airplane at the zoo is now mounted so high in the air that you can see it from interstate 80. Looks cool. Looks like it’s coming in for landing.
We went last weekend and saw the ticket machines for the attractions and admission, and the grill by the elephants. I think overall, this is a nice solution to not having enough workers to fill the spots. In some cases, probably with the grill, I think it would expedite getting food since there is not the exchange of cash happening.
The story mentions they spent $1.5 Million for 47 kiosks around the zoo.
Exciting new renovations and additions at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo
More shade, seating and even a new carousel are some of the changes that visitors to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium will see, in addition to kiosks for tickets and food to reduce wait times.
1. Couple changes to Steam Locomotive 119. If you were at the zoo and thought the 119 sounded different this year, its because it does. 119's whistle is in for repair. In its place they were loaned a whistle off a Union Pacific 5000 class 2-10-2 steam locomotive. Similar to the UP5511 that was just donated to the Railroading Heritage of Midwest America.
It also has a dedication plaque on engineer side (right side facing forward) in memory of Henry Morris Jr who recently passed away. Henry was with the Omaha Zoo railroad for 36 years.
I understand that when the cat complex was first built it was state of the art and appropriate for what we knew in the 80s, but I'm so glad it's gone. Such a depressing enclosure for big cats.
Stan wrote: Tue May 31, 2022 3:08 pm
I understand that when the cat complex was first built it was state of the art and appropriate for what we knew in the 80s, but I'm so glad it's gone. Such a depressing enclosure for big cats.
Yeah I was a kid when it opened. I remember it being billed as the largest of its kind anywhere. It seemed to be the catalyst for the zoo going from nice and local to let’s dream big.
On Friday, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium announced the zoo's aviary has reopened, along with the Wildlife Safari Park bird exhibits. The zoo's Lee G. Simmons Aviary had been closed since March 3, 2022, due to bird flu concerns. Birds are also back in their outdoor habitats at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park as of Friday.
See a full press release from the zoo below. "The Lee G. Simmons Aviary at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is open to guests today, Friday, June 24, after being closed since March 3, 2022, due to concerns regarding the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) virus. The birds who live at the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park have also returned to their outside habitats.
