In my post Sunday, I shared a photo of them inside, as well as the overview of the enclosure. Monday I got there just as they were exiting their indoor space. My first time seeing them outside!
Meet Female Tim and Male Sammy! They are very cute and I think that we will really be able to see their personalities in this enclosure.
Tim has been a longtime Resident, living at the ARC, and Sammy arrived recently. I remember meeting Tim several times out on Nature Trail.
Tim gave me some face time!
Tim
Sammy, who has a little heart shape
on his shell!
I took a few videos, but per usual with my current sucky storage situation, often videos take but don't save. Lucky one did!
https://youtu.be/Wf1AoLK8UZA
I really like their enclosure. I've been watching the build weekly, so I knew it was big, but seeing them in it, it's huge! I originally heard the Aldabra Tortoises would be moving here, and was worried about the door size, because of how big the Aldabra eventually get. Then months ago one of the construction guys said they heard "new ones". Further inquiry revealed Residents would be Radiated. Though now seeing this, I want the Aldabra's to have a larger home. They are happy at the Farm, but will continue to grow, and eventually out grow their barnyard home. I'm now eyeing the former Duck Pond site across from the Farm as possibility. More on my ideas another time.
I asked about the log structure middle front, and was told it held an overhead heater, and that the boulder behind it had a panel heater that faces out from opposite side.
The only fail is that there is no signage!!! Seriously, the continuing no signage issue, is a big problem. I was there for awhile and had to tell people who was in the enclosure. I just don't understand it. I've written about even putting a temporary one in places, like (currently) Snow Leopard. It's a head-shaker and just reflects bad. There is a small sign on one of the viewing windows, they need one like this on the fence asap!
One thing I did learn was that this is allegedly the second of many phases for the Madagascar Exhibit. I've been watching this since 2018, and have had many posts in draft over those six+ years, and have not been happy about much if it. That said, this area for the Tortoises, and being able to see the Fossa have been bright spots in the whole thing.
I hear, other enclosures are part of the other phases. Hoping for additional Animals, meaning Mammals and Birds. There's definitely space, especially if they knock down the ridiculous seating area I call the BBQ Pit. That was a complete waste of money. Take the loss and move on. Use that space for Animals. I look forward to seeing this area add more Animals, it desperately needs it.
I had hoped the Nocturnal Exhibit would have reopened, and the Aye Aye (from Madagascar) brought back. Maybe that can still happen, although I heard that area might be further renovated for Dorian the male Fossa who remains at the off exhibit FCC area. They originally built an indoor area for him, but something wasn't right. Anyway, I need to hear more about that, because the enclosure that was built, that houses Violet the female Fossa, is way too small for it to be split to accommodate both at the same time, and I'm not a fan of them rotating, and one being stuck inside.
I'm sure there will be much more on the Tortoises in future This Week At The Zoo posts! If you are a Visitor, you can also view the other male Radiated Tortoise, who shares the enclosure with the Sifakas.
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