The last couple of weeks have been a blur with so many things going on across the zoo’s campus. But each day provides a bit more progress and a lot more excitement as the zoo marches forward into the summer. There are new sounds and sights and even smells that continue to move the zoo in the direction of a totally immersive experience.

Since the addition of the black and white ruffed lemurs you don’t even have to be at the zoo to experience their calls. When they start their vocalizing, children and adults alike are drawn to their enclosure to see what the commotion is only to find them sitting there like nothing is going on. Their vocalizations sound like a horrible fight going on and the sound carries throughout Roosevelt Park as they are nearly as loud as the siamangs and gibbons when they start their hooting call. We had ruffed lemurs previously, but they were moved to other zoos as a part of SSP (Species Survival Plan) recommendations. The group that is on exhibit now is a father with three sons and a daughter. Birth control is used to ensure that the female does not get bred by her male family members and like the former group will likely be recommended to move to another institution.3 in future SSP Steering Committee meetings.

Along with the vocalizing of the primates, guests will hear the roaring of the large cats. The lions can often be heard and occasionally guests will catch the tigers expressing themselves. The leopards on the other hand are not as likely to be heard, but when they do, you’d better listen. Speaking of leopards, the new Amur Leopard Forest exhibit is really coming together. All the exhibits have been sodded and the landscaping around the exterior should be completed this week.

Clover, our female Amur leopard that was previously living in the tiger building, is loving her new digs even though she’s not crazy about the sprinklers running to get the sod established. Also, Clover is adjusting to sharing her new home with a young male and female that arrived just last week from other institutions. The new pair are currently being quarantined but may be able to enjoy the new enclosures sooner than later thanks to the multiple yards where we can keep all three cats separated while the pair finish out their quarantine period.

The mention of new smells in the zoo might turn some people off, thinking that this comes from the animals. Not at all. With the addition of all the flowers throughout the campus, guests are welcomed by the aroma of lilacs as they enter the zoo and a variety of other fragrant flora as they make their way along the pathways.

Though we are crossing things off our list, there are just as many being added. It truly is an exciting time to be a part of the zoo, and new experiences are realized every day. So, immerse yourself in the sight, sounds and even smells of your Roosevelt Park Zoo.