Zoos on the Rise

[pachyderm pro]

Recently there was a discussion about zoos on the decline. Many have cited the downhill trajectory of certain major zoos and while some have even gone as far to say zoos in general are declining, it's important to acknowledge that many zoos are moving in a very positive direction as well. I made a thread with a somewhat similar premise a while back, but it was a bit convoluted and with the recent discussion I think this topic deserves to be revisited.

In the US, perhaps the biggest up-and-comer at the moment is Nashville. A zoo only three decades old has seen substantial development just within the last five years, adding extremely high quality exhibits for Andean bears, Sumatran tigers and Mexican spider monkeys, with a potentially amazing Komodo dragon habitat coming next year. The zoo also is a leader in breeding small carnivores and frequently brings in rare species, recently adding fanaloka and Javan yellow-throated martin. A 40 acre African exhibit complex is the largest endeavor at the moment which will add hippos, lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, vultures, cranes, and a variety of hoofstock and primates among other species. It's all projected to be fantastic and perhaps no collection is better set up for a prosperous future than this one.

There are many other US collections which have improved dramatically just within the last few years: Omaha, Houston, Fort Worth, Lincoln Park, and Cheyenne Mountain have all opened superb exhibit complexes and have added many interesting and unusual species. I'm not as familiar with European zoos, but I do know Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK has had extremely expeditious development after essentially starting from the ground up not a super long time ago.

 

[TinoPup]

Virginia Safari Park is a non-AZA place I'd add to this list, and likely the other facilities owned by the same people (though I've only been to the one).

 

[tigris115]

My only question about Nashville is why they aren't going to go back to elephants?

 

[OkapiFan]

The Greensboro Science Center is also one that has risen to an amazing state. It went from having a small outdoor section with just a few native animals, to what it is today in less than 20 years!

First, Animal Discovery opened, replacing the previous "zoo" This added Meerkats, Aldabra Tortoises, Nile Crocodile, Gibbons (opened with White-handed but now has Javan, being one of only three places in the USA to house them), Ring-tailed and Red Ruffed Lemurs, Fossa, Black Howler Monkeys, Maned Wolves, Tigers, a Giant Anteater, a discovery house where the education animals are kept, and an improved farm area. Later Red Pandas were added.

Next was the aquarium. With only about a 3rd of the budget that the average aquarium has, the GSC built a fantastic complex that contains Fishing Cats (now moved to Revolution Ridge), Asian Small-clawed Otters, African Penguins, a Green Anaconda, Golden Lion Tamarins, Bolivian Grey Titi Monkeys, dozens of Amazonian fish, a Stingray touch tank, Sandbar Sharks, a Blacknose Shark, Cownose Rays, a Spotted Eagle Ray, a Southern Stingray, Green Moray Eels, a Pufferfish, and dozens of other awesome fish species.

After that they renovated the dinosaur room and added an nice indoor Komodo Dragon exhibit. This was dubbed Prehistoric Passages: Realm of Dragons! Then an outdoor one was built, making this a fantastic complex for the one male that called it home (he passed away earlier this year)

The aquarium was expanded and now also contains Moon and Upside down Jellies, Giant Isopods, Potbellied and Lined Seahorses, Mantis Shrimp, Garden Eels, a Living Coral tank, a Mangrove Tank, a Kelp Forest tank, and a couple more reef tanks, among many more amazing creatures.

The next thing that happened was that the zoo was made better with a 12 acre expansion, Revolution Ridge: Life on the Edge. Exhibits for Cassowaries, an Okapi (mixed with Southern Ground Hornbill), Pygmy Hippos, Caribbean Flamingos, Servels, Sand Cats, Black-footed Cats, were added. New exhibit for their Fishing Cats and Red Pandas were also constructed. A state of the art Veterinary and Conservation building was added in this expansion as well. This building allows guests to watch people work on conservation efforts for the Rhinoceros Iguana and Freshwater Mussels, as well as peek into all the different rooms for the animal's medical care: Treatment, Radiology, Surgery, and Necropsy (The only zoo in the country to let people look into a necropsy room). The rest of the zoo was also upgraded with Trumpeter Hornbills going into the old Red Panda habitat, a aviary for Laughing Kookaburras and Masked Lapwings was constructed, and Binturongs were added to the farm area.

The most recent thing that the center has done is added a Butterfly House and Monarch Conservation Center.

The future also looks very bright as they plan to build a biodome. Expedition Rainforst: Greensboro Biodome will feature Sloths, Toucans, Giant Tortoises, Caimans, Clouded Leopards, Capybaras, birds of Amazonia, Creatures of the Understory: which will feature cool and colorful herps and inverts. The center is also going to be constructing the AARC (Aquatic Rehabilitation and Care Complex) The center will further its aquatic conservation efforts by propagating Jellyfish, Seahorses, Coral, and endangered fish species. In addition to this, the GSC will be rehabbing and releasing Sea Turtles, Sharks, and Rays. The center is also looking to upgrade and theme a lot of the other exhibits in the zoo.

 

[StoppableSan]

My only question about Nashville is why they aren't going to go back to elephants?

Tl:dr, they'd like to, but too many factors are uncertain as far as bringing them back. @pachyderm pro emailed them directly and got that very answer.

 

[pachyderm pro]

My only question about Nashville is why they aren't going to go back to elephants?

A variety of factors, but above all else it's simply very difficult for a zoo to acquire elephants if they don't already have them. The population is already very limited as is and somewhat recently new restrictions were imposed for importing wild individuals. The zoo has the space, budget and even the desire for elephants - it could be as simple as revamping their old enclosure, now holding rhinos - but actually obtaining them will always be the biggest hurdle in their way.

 

[birdsandbats]

Wildwood Wildlife Park has risen from tiny roadside place to huge full-day (and much higher quality) experience over just the last few years. Perhaps the fastest drastic formation of any zoo in recent years.

Of course, no discussion about zoos on the rise can exist without Omaha. This zoo was once a little known zoo without anything that stands out. In 1992, however, the zoo built the incredible Lied Jungle building, and zoo has had a major development almost every year since then. This zoo has risen to a major world-class with tons of unique charm and a "go big or go home" attitude. More developments are still planned for the coming years, even! @snowleopard covers it much more in-depth in this thread: Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo: Timeline [Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo]

 

[Sphenisciologist]

I feel Chattanooga Zoo deserves at least a brief mention here:

Their ‘Reaching Great Heights’ campaign has already shown considerable success with their giraffe habitat: not the most impressive exhibit ever but it’s fairly nice and they have a lot of indoor space.

Also, not sure how the result will turn out but this blueprint of the lion exhibit looks absolutely stunning to me.



Chattanooga has always had that ‘small zoo charm’ to it, but it’s nice to see their addition of new species and animals coming soon.

Adding onto this, they have done some great renovations to the Warner Park Ranch and red panda areas. Chattanooga isn’t as big as some of the others on here, but I felt it deserved an honorable mention.

 

[Zorro]

In Australia we have a whole bunch of smaller regional zoos which are on the rise which are very progressive and committed with many endangered breeding programs

 

[Fallax]

I'm not as familiar with European zoos, but I do know Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK has had extremely expeditious development after essentially starting from the ground up not a super long time ago.

From everything I have heard, YWP seems to be the most recent big success in the UK. It is just over a decade old and already has many world class exhibits and huge draws like polar bears (only one other holder here). I also think it is worth mentioning Bristol/Wild Place... Wild Place is relatively new and has had a lot of praise. With Bristol Zoo fully relocating to the site of Wild Place I think there is great opportunity for it to expand into one of the greatest zoos in the country.

 

[cloudedleopard611]

I know its already been mentioned but based on what I've seen the Omaha Zoo deserves recognition in this thread. I have not been since 2012, but all of the changes made are really impressive, both in quantity and quality. When I visited, even though I was 12 and just happy to see animals, I remember thinking that while some of the areas were excellent, a decent portion was still pretty unimpressive and disappointing. Now, it seems like they've completely done away with all those parts and have created entire new themed areas, all within the timespan of just 10 years. Not only do these new areas seem better, but they are in many cases outstanding. The lion and sea lion exhibits in particular just look absolutely spectacular. The immersion they were able to create with them is incredible. The attention to detail makes them look like an actual scene from the wilderness. It is one of the zoos I want to visit the most.

 

[ZooElephantMan]

As discussed in this thread, in the 80s, the Oakland Zoo and Zoo Atlanta were put on the Humane Society’s list of the 10 worst zoos in the country. Both zoos have both made enormous improvements since the list was published.

The Prospect Park Zoo and Franklin Park Zoo, which are also listed, have made great improvements since the 80s as well, but neither has reached the levels of Oakland or Zoo Atlanta.

 

[twilighter]

When it comes to Europe, I feel that the most significant examples are the flagship zoos from Czech Republic and Poland. They are seriously challenging the Western European bests. Prague and Wroclaw are the usual suspects, adding intresting exhibits and new species almost every year. But Zlin Lesna and Lodz are the ones who are stealing the news in those countries lately. With Karibuni and Orientarium projects, respectively, they are definitely two to watch.

 

[Westcoastperson]

Fresno Chaffee zoo has been making great progress with a stellar new African and Sea Lion exhibits. They will also be opening a massive new Pan-Asia exhibit with a stellar species like up. The zoo has plans beyond this new exhibit to completely revitalize the zoo making it a very underrated and unnoticed zoo in the California Central Valley.

 

[Zoofan15]

Monarto Safari Park (South Australia)

Monarto Safari Park is aiming to become the largest safari experience outside of Africa. The zoo is set on 1,500 hectares and is home to herds herds of ungulate including Scimitar-horned oryx and the largest lion pride in the region.

This zoo began in 1983, opening to the public in 1993 but is in the midst of an exciting transformation at it seeks to acquire species like Common hippopotamus.

Monarto Safari Park will also be part of the Australian Rhino Project, which will see 35 Southern white rhinoceros split between them and two other zoos, with the goal of breeding large numbers of calves.

Giraffe exhibit by @Hix


Lion exhibit by @Geoffrey


Lion exhibit by @marmolady


Ostrich exhibit by @marmolady


Chimpanzee exhibit by @marmolady


Cheetah exhibit by @marmolady


Addax and Barbary sheep exhibit by @Hix

 

[Jana]

Lodz zoo has already been mentioned but some might not realize yet how Orientarium (their new complex) proves to be popular. They got 150.000 visitors in first month after its opening in April and expect up to 1,5 million at this year end. While pre-covid, the zoo had barely 200k attendance. Even after fall of initial interest of public, I think they will stay above 1 million for years to come.

This success (second after Afrykarium of Wroclaw) will tempt other city zoos in Poland to emulate it one way or another. So watch out for other Polish rising stars!

I dont agree with Prague, its rise culminated almost a decade ago, now its platooing. Yes, we get a few new species or exhibits, but other parts of the zoo start to age. The zoo will probably spend most of its initiative on just replacing the worse parts and keeping overall quality from sliding down.

Zlin is obvious example - on steady rise. I would add Dvur Kralove - its recent investments are well accepted by public and their plans are solid. Ostrava is a question, lets see if positive growth gets prolonged with the new director.

 

[Rayane]

I feel Chattanooga Zoo deserves at least a brief mention here:

Their ‘Reaching Great Heights’ campaign has already shown considerable success with their giraffe habitat: not the most impressive exhibit ever but it’s fairly nice and they have a lot of indoor space.

Also, not sure how the result will turn out but this blueprint of the lion exhibit looks absolutely stunning to me.

View attachment 562704

Chattanooga has always had that ‘small zoo charm’ to it, but it’s nice to see their addition of new species and animals coming soon.

Adding onto this, they have done some great renovations to the Warner Park Ranch and red panda areas. Chattanooga isn’t as big as some of the others on here, but I felt it deserved an honorable mention.

It looks very much like an old school lion exhibit in my opinion, like many you can find in Europe that are now being updated or should be, to better standards.

 

[Batto]

In Europe: Pairi Daiza and several French as well as some of the already mentioned Polish zoos.

 

[Lafone]

There are some great signs in UK zoos outside just YWP - London's refurb of the Snowden aviary, Whipsnade bringing in new animals and exhibits for example. I recently visited Dudley and some good new enclosures going in there and plans for enhanced enclosures. And our smaller zoos - Hamerton for example, expanding their collections, putting in new areas and exhibits, Cotswold's new aviaries and Linton seeing return of the quolls. Also some great breeding going on - CWP's storks which are contributing to a rewilding programme, the full range of lemur young born this year, corsac fox pups for Hamerton and amur tiger cubs at Banham are all good examples.

A lot of the time people highlight only new massive exhibits as meaning zoos are not in decline, but interesting new species, animals happy and breeding well and enrichment, coupled with good plans for the future also shows a zoo in a good place in my opinion. There's a lot going on and to look forward to.

 

[Rayane]

It always ends up being mentionned everywhere, but I believe Zürich Zoo is, and probably has been for a little while, on the rise. While the Australia area wasn't the success they hoped for, the more recent Lewa conservancy is a success, the upcomming net over the Pantanal area seems like a good idea and the future should be even brighter, with a new Asian area and probably the demolition/rennovation of the worst part of the zoo : the Ape house.

One might argue that they lost a good amount of rarities over the years and the species listing is getting more and more common, but the newly constructed Breeding center (probably inspired by Burgers highly succesful one) and the "new" director having worked at Wuppertal (where I hope he got the taste for rarities) might lead to aquiring and this time establishing rarer species in the zoo.