Salisbury, MD — As the seasons change, a few notable things here at the Salisbury Zoological Park will also change; including new animals, enhanced habitats and a heartfelt sendoff.
Jinkies! This September, the William E. Morgan Conservation Center will see an expanded population as it welcomes two new residents: female axolotl named Daphne and Velma. Axolotl are a type of salamander which mature without undergoing metamorphosis into the terrestrial adult form – adults remain fully aquatic with external gills. Our pair arrived late this summer from Jenkinson’s Aquarium on the New Jersey shore and, after completing their quarantine at the Ron Benton Animal Health Clinic, are in their newly refurbished habitat where they’re ready to meet all their new friends who come to visit. Salisbury Zoo staff worked hard to refurbish an existing habitat and modify the life support system (LSS) onsite in order for our new friends to have the best home possible. These two have voracious appetites and love to explore their caves, so please come visit them in their new habitat!
Our Canada Lynx have also returned to their renovated habitat and can be seen by guests daily.
Change continues in the form of enhancements. Several other animal spaces have recently undergone upgrades as part of the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to animal welfare and guest experience:
- William E. Morgan Conservation Center: Fresh paint in all habitats, new substrate throughout and the addition of a filtration system and waterfall for our Yellow Anaconda, Arpona.
- American Flamingo Habitat: New indoor floor coating for easier maintenance, clearing of bamboo to increase sunlight, fence repairs (including a new gate) and the creation of a designated animal encounter area—an exciting step toward offering Flamingo Encounters for visitors in the future.
Lastly, the Zoo is preparing for a special farewell. Oddball the Green-winged Macaw will be soaring to new heights at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, where he will join the Ambassador Animal Team and make a new friend in their resident Green-winged Macaw, Louie. This transition of care will be undertaken in order to most appropriately meet his needs, encompassing all facets of wellbeing and, most importantly, enabling him to express species-specific social behaviors with another member of his species.
This endeavor has taken careful planning over many months, which included a visit from Maryland Zoo staff to the Salisbury Zoo, as well as a unique “virtual introduction” between Oddball and Louie via video call to provide them with an opportunity to greet each other from afar. Oddball will officially depart Salisbury on September 19th, though he won’t be far—just across the bridge in Baltimore.
In the coming weeks, the Salisbury Zoo will also celebrate the return of the American Flamingo flock migrating back to their newly updated habitat. This event will be open to the public, with details to be announced soon.
