The Zoo’s News: Why Isn’t Joe the Macaw on Display?

In this week's episode of "The Zoo's News," we answer another question submitted by a listener, wondering what happened to Joe the Hyacinth Macaw.

Mike Beck, Director of Communications at the Utica Zoo, joins us once again for "The Zoo's News." Suzanne from Utica wanted to know why Joe, the Hyacinth Macaw, isn't on display. She went on to say he "is so beautiful and charismatic."

Beck agreed that Joe is beautiful and charismatic, and adds that Joe is actually a part of their "Education Department." He's not on display at the Utica Zoo because he's usually available for the Zoomobile, birthday parties, special events, and things like that. He does mention that there is a docent that works with Joe twice a week...

So if you were interested in seeing Joe... If you come midday on a Tuesday or Friday you could see [him].

Beck goes on to explain there are about 30 different species of animals that you won't actually see on display at the Utica Zoo because they are "resting."

...Because when they go out on the Zoomobile or are at a birthday party, there's a lot of attention. You can see a group of 20 or 30 people around them for a couple of hours. They need that break from people.

In other words, it's a lot of stimulation for these animals, so they can't be on exhibit too. After all, they are still wild animals.

Some of these animals will become more "visible" at the zoo, though. Right now, they're working on upgrading their Sinnott Educational Center, which is where these educational animals reside. The upgrades include bigger space (so hopefully they can get more animals), and also windows so you can get a little peek at some of these educational animals.

So Joe, the Hyacinth Macaw, is still around at the Utica Zoo, but cannot be on display as much as the other animals because he's an educational animal and out in the public a lot. Even animals need their rest.

Thank you so much Suzanne for the question, and thank you to Mike Beck for taking the time out of his day to answer it for us. If you have a question for the Utica Zoo, a question about their upcoming events or animals at the zoo, feel free to submit them at the link below. They may be featured in an upcoming episode of "The Zoo's News."

BONUS VIDEO: