This summer has been a season of change for the Milwaukee County Zoo. Whether it’s renovated exhibits, baby animals, or a new executive chef, here’s the latest news from the city’s wildlife escape:
Renovated Exhibits
If you’ve been to the Milwaukee County Zoo this summer, you’ve most likely been redirected through a few areas of renovation and construction. The zoo is undergoing two major projects right now – the Humboldt Penguin Habitat renovation and phase three of the Adventure Africa exhibit construction.
“Good things are coming, and they will be worth the wait,” says Kimberly Graves, the zoo’s communications coordinator, who anticipates that the Penguin Habitat renovation will be complete in December 2024, and the Adventure Africa construction by fall of 2025. “We plan to make this as seamless as possible and redirect people so they are still able to come and see their favorite animals.”
The Humboldt Penguin Habitat is tripling its pool from 10,000 gallons to 30,000, replacing the water filtration system and adding larger viewing windows. The renovation also includes removing the handrails that blocked the window in the past, allowing “nose-to-beak penguin interactions.”
As construction continues, the penguins are currently living in the zoo’s Flamingo Building.
The third and final phase of the Adventure Africa exhibit is going to welcome rhinoceroses back to the Milwaukee County Zoo for the first time since 2021. The $23 million project will create a habitat that includes both indoor and outdoor “park-like” homes for the rhinos.
New Animals
Prehensile-tailed Porcupette
The nocturnal side of the small mammal building added a new member to the zoo family on June 4 with the birth of a female prehensile-tailed porcupette, who lives in the habitat with her mom and dad. “She is very cute, and we encourage everyone to come and see her,” Graves says.
Japanese Macaque
Mai, a baby Japanese macaque, was born on April 23 and currently resides on the zoo’s Macaque Island, otherwise known as Monkey Island. The name Mai means brightness or dance in Japanese.
Baird’s Tapir
Frida, a five-year-old Baird’s tapir, was brought to the zoo last October, as part of an ongoing efforts to preserve her endangered species, as determined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Frida came from the Houston Zoo, and can now be seen in the zoo’s South American Yard.
Amur Tiger
Natasha, an 11-year-old Amur tiger, has joined the zoo’s two other tigers, Kash and Tula, and can be seen in the Florence Mila Borchert Big Cat Country. Like Frida the Baird’s tapir, Natasha is also considered endangered by the IUCN, and was brought to Milwaukee from the Columbus Zoo in order to find a breeding partner.
Natasha has been undergoing treatment for blastomycosis, which is a type of fungal infection. “She’s still in her remaining stages of treatment. … This disease can sometimes be a deadly, very serious disease,” Graves says. “She’s been acclimating and undergoing treatment while she’s here, and she’s doing really well. We’re optimistic about her prognosis.”
Male Silverback Gorilla
As of March, Azizi, a male silverback gorilla, can be seen leading his family troop in the Stearns Family Apes of Africa building. Azizi, a critically-endangered western lowland gorilla, arrived in Milwaukee in January from the Lincoln Park Zoo on a breeding recommendation, like Natasha, the Amur tiger.
“In order to further this species, we are really hoping he gets along with the ladies in his troop so that we can maybe have a baby gorilla in the future,” Graves says.
Zookeepers have said that Azizi and his new troop, which includes females Dotty and Nadami are a “very solid and tight knit” group.
Limited-Time Exhibits and Tours
Also new at the zoo this summer are two different exhibits and private tours. The fan-favorite Dinosaur Discovery exhibit includes life-like dinosaurs who move, breathe and even spit. These full-size and scientifically-accurate animatronic displays allow viewers to appreciate the role of the predator in ancient times.
The Wild Connections Tours offer zoo-goers a closer look at some of the zoo’s favorite animals, while giving an inside look at how these animals are cared for and maintained. The tour takes viewers through the behind-the-scenes of multiple exhibits, including the North American River Otters. Both of these tours are not included with general admission fares and need to be booked separately.
An Executive Chef
The zoo welcomed a new chef in April – Ashley Turner. Formerly the culinary director and executive chef for Door County Brewing and Hacienda Taproom and Kitchen, Turner was also a contest on Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2023, in which she placed second. And she can now be seen on the network’s “BBQ Brawl,” which premiered July 8.
Turner has supplemented the zoo’s menu with a new Tex-Mex, Southern style selection.
The zoo will be hosting its annual A La Carte food and music festival Aug. 15-18, during which zoo-goers can try Turner’s winning Sporkies items – the Glazy Boy sandwich and second-place Sconnie Slugger – as well as food from other restaurants and vendors.
