Haven’t been there personally, yet, but I’ll be nominating Yorkshire Wildlife Park’s ‘Project Polar’
sorry I didn't respond sooner. It is very naturalistic which is always great but for climbing opportunities, it isn't great. It has some slight elevation but I feel like Pairi Daiza has the naturalistic feel of Minnesota with better climbing opportunities.
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(second and third photos were by KevinB)
I’m sorry but all I had for that were photos and street view on google. There weren’t people who had actually been to the zoo. But it sounds like you have been their so later on I will do some of the original species that didn’t have as many replies.This shows the danger if you are only rating exhibits by pictures.... The pictures make the enclosure look way bigger than it actually is, so it is certainly not one of the best enclosures around and there are many more options than the two presented here. Especially if you know that Takin are more of a mountain/bamboo forest species than an alpine species...
Now that’s one I can certainly agree with you 100%! I remember the first time walking into Lion Camp, both Izu and Etosha were roaring prior to taking a nap on the large Kopje like rock formation. Currently the rotation is Izu and Etosha, Mina and Oshana, and the new additions of Striped Hyena brothers Tuli and Puru. Neither pairs so far on a set schedule from what I was told. It feels like you have been transported to Africa without leaving Southern California. Plus the view of ungulates from the field exhibits is such a good mixture for the enrichment of their lions and now newly added striped hyenas.For the best Polar bear exhibit, I will give it to Assiniboine Park Zoos Journey to Churchill. This exhibit is very similar to Detroit as they both use large exhibits that seemingly go on forever, under water tunnels, and different exhibit styles. They are separated by Journey to Chuchill being larger and having better landscaping. Journey to Churchill did open 12-13 years after Ring of Life giving it an advantage. I believe if both opened at the same time and therefore had the same landscape design skills they would have tied but Journey to Churchill just does it better.
The next species will be Lion (African or Indian/Asiatic) I know San Diego Safari Park has a great expansive exhibit that looks right out onto their massive African Savvanah.
I considered adding London Zoos exhibit but I had heard negative reviews about it from visitors.Either ZSL London or West Midlands Safari Park, both massively improved upon what they used to have
For this challenge, I will give it to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park because of size, naturalistic views, and lots of enrichment.
The next animal will be Asian Elephant. Wildlands Emmen and the Smithsonian National zoo are two amazing exhibits each with great views and large space.
I totally forgot to mention any exhibits, that was the first one that came to mind for me one sec.The manatee exhibit in the Mangrove ecodisplay at Burgers' Zoo in the Netherlands is a very decent exhibit.
First of all, i just wanted to mention that i really like the idea of this whole thread
Nünrberg's enclosure for manatis seems to be really good, since i haven't been there myself, I can't really judge if it's "the best" exhibit for manatis, but it's definetly a good and modern facility for these interesting animals.
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