Flamingos Return to the Milwaukee County Zoo!

Flamingo

The Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook Opens May 24.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is about to become a bit prettier, as a flock of Caribbean flamingos take up permanent residence at the Zoo beginning May 24 with the Idabel Wilmot Borchert Flamingo Exhibit and Overlook opening.

A Splash of Pink! Located between the Zoo’s Animal Health Center and the Herb & Nada Mahler Family Aviary, the exhibit features a lush yard and pond, along with walking paths and benches for easy viewing of these striking birds.

A flamingo building (not open to the public) serves as a wintering home for the flock, as well as a comfortable place to reside when they need warmer temperatures. Although they’re tropical birds, flamingos are remarkably tolerant and can even walk in the snow. However, they will have access to a warm environment if needed, as the building’s temperature will be controlled in winter, with special fans placed above the doors.

Inside the building, the birds can enjoy fresh air circulated by air vents and filters, indoor wading pools and resilient flooring that is easy on their feet. A spacious kitchen area for preparing the flamingos’ food and extra space for housing other birds, such as penguins, will make it easier for the zookeepers to care for the collection.

As the flock adjusts to the cooler Wisconsin temperatures, these young birds (hatched and reared at the San Antonio Zoo in Texas,) will enjoy the outdoors nearly year-round. An outdoor porch, enclosed with predator-proof mesh, will allow the birds to venture out during the nighttime hours.

For Zoo visitors, the exhibit features close-up views and new, colorful graphics complete with fun facts about the birds. (For example: The flamingo’s characteristic pink coloring is enhanced by the beta carotene in their diet.) Eventually an observation deck will be built overlooking the pond to give guests an even better vantage point of the flock.

Caribbean flamingos are found as far north as Florida and as far south as the Galapagos Islands. They are highly social birds, and in the wild, can live in colonies comprised of thousands of individuals. Caribbean flamingos have a loud, deep honking call that is similar to a goose, and they call loudly during courtship, but have a quieter call while they’re feeding.

Flamingos are more likely to breed in large flocks; so the Zoo hopes to bring in additional birds in the future. The plan is to have 40 flamingos by 2010. So, zookeepers hope that visitors will be seeing pink for years to come.

For more information on the flamingos, call the Zoo’s Public Affairs and Services office at (414) 256-5466.

U.S. Bank Gathering Place Now Open to Visitors

U.S. Bank Gathering Place

Visitors’ first impressions of the Milwaukee County Zoo are about to dramatically change, as the new front entrance mall and atrium, the U.S. Bank Gathering Place, is now open and welcoming guests.

The new 29,500-square-foot atrium will greet visitors as they enter the Zoo, and serve as a one-stop gathering place for planning their visit. The light-filled space has a fluid feel, and connects the formerly separate offices of the Milwaukee County Zoo and the Zoological Society of Milwaukee (ZSM).

The canopied east entrance features shade trees donated by Hawks Nursery, planted in an attractive semi-circle. Colorful flowers and plantings also greet guests, as they have the opportunity to take keepsake photos in front of an arbor and evergreen backdrop. The west entrance boasts two new gardens – called the Elizabeth Elser Doolittle West Gardens – and the popular Taylor Family Humboldt Penguin Exhibit.

Flamingo CafeA new restaurant, upscale coffee shop and renovated gift shop await visitors as they enter the space. Enjoy the upgraded dining area, featuring food stations offering everything from burgers to pasta to salads. A salad and fruit station offers a variety of healthy options as well. Sweet treats are available at the ice cream station and pastry bar, and a self-serve beverage station will help to eliminate waiting in line during the busy season to grab a bottle of water or fountain drink. Savor a latte or espresso at the Gathering Place Coffee and Snack Shop featuring the rich tastes of Milwaukee’s own Alterra Coffee.

Want to know what’s new at the Zoo? Take a peek at several electronic information signs, sponsored by U.S. Cellular, which run announcements, event listings, attraction hours and animal news. Have a question or concern? Visit the new guest-services area, located next to the Zoological Society offices. Looking for that special token of your Zoo visit? Stop at the Flamingo Gift Shop, or the Karibu Gift Shop (located on the opposite side of the building), to purchase a Zoo- or animal-themed souvenir.

Zoo animal photos taken by longtime Society photographer, Richard Brodzeller, are prominently displayed in the atrium, and the U.S. Bank Gathering Place also will host special exhibits and shows. This project was made possible by a donation from U.S. Bank, the Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee County and the Zoological Society.

Zoo’s New Infant Orangutan, Mahal,
Interacting Well with New
Surrogate Mom, MJ

Mahal

A nine-month-old male Bornean orangutan, Mahal, arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo on February 7, to be paired with the Zoo’s female orangutan, MJ. It was the Zoo’s hope that MJ would bond with Mahal, as his surrogate mother.

Mahal arrived from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado, where, shortly after his April birth, his mother rejected him. He was then given 24-hour-a-day care, seven-days-a-week by the Zoo’s dedicated hand-rearing team until a surrogate could be found. In November, Mahal was introduced to Sandra, the Zoo’s 51-year-old orangutan matriarch. Sandra had raised nine of her own offspring, and immediately took to Mahal. The zookeepers noticed a renewed energy in Sandra and the two were inseparable. Unfortunately, Sandra died in her sleep in mid-December.

The search for a new surrogate then began, while Mahal continued to receive 24-hour-care from the team. It was determined there were six possible surrogates, out of a total of 117 females, in zoos accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

For various factors, the Milwaukee County Zoo’s female orangutan, MJ, was chosen as a possible surrogate for Mahal. MJ came to the Milwaukee County Zoo from the Toledo Zoo, where she served as a surrogate for another infant orangutan.

Mahal arrived in style (via private plane) thanks to a donation from Terry Kohler and the flight team of Windway Capital Corp., who have made significant and generous contributions to various conservation-related causes throughout the years.

Mahal continued to receive 24-hour care from both his Cheyenne Mountain keepers who accompanied him to Milwaukee, and from MCZ keepers. Over the course of several days, the hand-rearing team slowly introduced Mahal to MJ, and they began to bond.

Currently, the two can be seen on exhibit together, getting along very well with one another, in the Apes of Africa Building. The Zoo’s male orangutan, Tom, also has been given access to interact with MJ and the infant.

The orangutan’s current existence in the wild is severely threatened. Economic crises, combined with natural disasters and human abuse of the forest, are pushing this species to extinction. Experts estimate orangutans could be extinct in the wild in as few as 10 years.

2008 Is The Year of the Polar Bear!


PROJECT POLAR BEAR!
Click Here to Learn How YOU
Can Be a Part of Project Polar Bear!

Zoo Hours:
May 1 - September 30
Mondays-Saturdays: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sundays & Holidays: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
October 1 - April 30
Daily: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Admission

Milwaukee County residents with I.D. receive $1.75 off full price admission every day except Wednesdays.  On Wednesdays, Milwaukee County residents with I.D. are admitted at a reduced rate of $6.00 for adults and $3.50 for children.

 

2008 Admission Rates
April – October
Adults -- $11.25 
Child (3 to 12) -- $8.25 
Child (2 and under) – Free
Seniors (60 and over) -- $10.25

November -- December
Adults -- $9.75
Child (3 to 12) -- $6.75
Child (2 and under) -- Free
Seniors (60 and over ) -- $8.25   
Parking is $10.  

 

For more information, please call the Zoo at 414.256.5412.