Judging by the current map, …. an almost complete overhaul!
Can you phantom whether the Kampala Lodge refurb resembles anything like the central lodge and hub they are looking for in their Masterplan?
I don't see the current Kampala Lodge on that Masterplan, but David would know better. The current reno that I saw was focused on redoing the interior; the physical shell remains untouched. When I was there they were working on the floor.
Overall, yeah, it is a complete overhaul!
Had that been built they would have been wildly out of date by now, so while it's frustrating that the zoo stagnated, it avoided becoming even worse arguably had it built an outdated plan. The zoo has struggled with its neighbors for decades, a virulently nasty group of NIMBYs. It will never be able to expand beyond its current footprint and the new plan recognizes that.
Why am I not surprised that the area is chock-a-block with NIMBYs? It seems like a rather nice neighborhood and I don't imagine they're fond of the place.
In the new plan they have downsized the megafauna collection to what the zoo can sustain in modern exhibits, which is one great ape species (probably chimps or bonobos), giraffes and zebras (and maybe an antelope species or two in the big mixed species savanna proposed which is an extension of the current giraffe complex), tigers, snow leopards, and some African and Asian mesocarnivores. As you state the jaguars are not on the map shown in the story about the new plan, but it also says that the plan is a work in progress. There may be room in there for the jaguars somewhere. Beyond the new biodiversity center (funded and designed) and the current giraffe exhibit (slated to be expanded into a larger multi-species savanna), the entire zoo will likely be rebuilt in the decades to come.
I am glad that they're planning on downsizing. I know everybody wants the big, charismatic species, but they really could do a lot of good for smaller species on the same footprint. I look forward to seeing how it develops and changes.
re: Jaguars. I do hope the zoo keeps theirs. The locals all seemed to know them, and, as stated, there could be a good breeding opportunity with Oakland (provided Oakland doesn't acquire yet another surplus animal). Just going off the Masterplan, I would consider lopping off part of the Kid's World-thing and installing a jaguar habitat near the proposed South American aviary.
Merging the zebra and giraffe yards is a good idea. In fact, I'm surprised that it hasn't happened already. It seems like such a natural step with all those separate yards adjoining each other.
I have no idea who Jason Jacobs is, but I do look forward to seeing how the zoo evolves under his leadership.
