Road trip recommendations

[CMP]

my opinion it should be on the 100 must see exhibits list

My thoughts exactly! I think I even mentioned this on that thread. Even though it replaced an old favorite, (I mean, Sumatran Rhinos!) the penguin pool in particular is quite good.

I really enjoy reading your review, and especially highlighting all of the shortcomings and things you found surprising over here. Clipped birds are a lot more common here than they should be.

 

[willem]

My thoughts exactly! I think I even mentioned this on that thread. Even though it replaced an old favorite, (I mean, Sumatran Rhinos!) the penguin pool in particular is quite good.

I was wondering where the used to keep the Sumatran rhinos! I know the enclosure from photos, but is there still something visible of this (because I haven’t seen anything)?

I really enjoy reading your review, and especially highlighting all of the shortcomings and things you found surprising over here. Clipped birds are a lot more common here than they should be.

That’s very nice to hear! In Europe you also still see a lot of clipped birds (fortunately it isn’t allowed anymore in the Netherlands and some more European countries), but it surprises me that a new exhibit like this one in Cincinnati seems to be designed for clipped birds.

 

[pachyderm pro]

not to mention a beautiful hippo enclosure.

Many adjectives have been used to describe this enclosure, but that's certainly a new one.

But the absolute highlight (and in my opinion it should be on the 100 must see exhibits list ), was the Australia part with first the walk-through area with large kangaroos and then the aviary with the Australian ducks and blue penguins: a beautiful exhibit and a beautiful way of presenting!

I haven't gotten the chance to see this area in person, but nothing about it looks especially remarkable. The kangaroo walkthrough is pretty standard and while the penguin aviary is very nice with some cool species, that isn't enough for it to be must-see in my opinion. Not bad, but if you thought this was neat I reckon you'll be even more impressed with the Australia areas at the San Diego parks and/or Brookfield if you end up making it out to them.

I was wondering where the used to keep the Sumatran rhinos! I know the enclosure from photos, but is there still something visible of this (because I haven’t seen anything)?

The area the rhinos inhabited was taken up by a ropes course directly adjacent to "Roo Valley". You can still see the layout of the enclosure from the lowest viewing point.

 

[willem]

Many adjectives have been used to describe this enclosure, but that's certainly a new one.

Oh is it? I really liked it!

Not bad, but if you thought this was neat I reckon you'll be even more impressed with the Australia areas at the San Diego parks and/or Brookfield if you end up making it out to them.

The main reason I wanted to visit San Diego Safari! My previous encouter with blue pinguins was aan awful indoor exhibit in Bronx Zoo, which maybe explains best why I liked this exhibit in Cincinnati so much. In two weeks I will tell you if my verdict still stands!

 

[TinoPup]

Many adjectives have been used to describe this enclosure, but that's certainly a new one.

I haven't gotten the chance to see this area in person, but nothing about it looks especially remarkable. The kangaroo walkthrough is pretty standard and while the penguin aviary is very nice with some cool species, that isn't enough for it to be must-see in my opinion. Not bad, but if you thought this was neat I reckon you'll be even more impressed with the Australia areas at the San Diego parks and/or Brookfield if you end up making it out to them.

The area the rhinos inhabited was taken up by a ropes course directly adjacent to "Roo Valley". You can still see the layout of the enclosure from the lowest viewing point.

The penguin exhibit is absolutely stunning, IMO one of the best exhibits in the country, especially for birds.

Oh is it? I really liked it!

It is much too small for the number of hippos they have and there is no way to divide it when they have breeding animals/calves, among other things. It's notoriously bad.

 

[SwampDonkey]

Ok ok… Maybe you're right, but I found the enormous orangutan enclosure with hardly any climbing equipment and kitchy temple setting anything but impressive. The Gibon enclosure (both inside and on the island) was also much too small.

That's fair

 

[willem]

The next stop was the Georgia Aquarium. I can be very brief about that. The sea lion enclosure is scandalously small (I didn't see the show arena, I'm not into circus acts). I didn't think the river or reef part was anything special.

The dolphin tank was nicely designed. The cold sea part is very cool! That beluga tank is beautiful and cool species/exhibits around it.
The shark tank was beautiful too. Very impressive species, three of which I had never seen before (hammerhead shark, tigershark and silvertip), especially with that enormous school of false herring.

Then Ocean voyage: incredible...

That first time a giant manta ray appeared from the distance, I had goosebumps For 10 minutes. The first time a whale shark glided over the tunnel, I just had tears in my eyes. Really incredible, you keep watching. I planned to leave no later than 2 p.m. because of the long drive that awaited me. I stayed until 5 p.m. There is nothing that comes even close in Europe.

 

[willem]

The next stop on my journey: Memphis Zoo. I had a great time at this zoo, but found this to be the least impressive so far. I have seen many things in this zoo done more beautifully or better elsewhere. The hippo and Nile crocodile enclosure was neatly done and the highlight of the zoo. The China part was nice, but apart from the theming, quite sparse and boring. The pandas have left, but their former quarters seemed quite small to me for such iconic crowd pleasers. In Europe you will find many examples of sometimes much smaller but more atmospheric China theme areas, such as Duisburg, Amersfoort, Rotterdam or Pairi Daisa(!) to name a few.

The Arctic was nice. I also thought the large outdoor area for bongos and red river hogs was very beautiful and green. Just like the primate canyon, but again nothing special. And that was the case for a large part of the zoo: It was all pretty straight forward with no real surprises (elephants, zebras, aquarium, herpentarium, etc. all pretty standard). By the way, some of the cats in Cat Country were really cramped.

This now seems like a very negative review, but I did have a good time at the Memphis Zoo for a full day. Finally, there were two parts I was particularly looking forward to, but ended in (somewhat) disappointment:
1. The nocturnal animal house was unfortunately not accessible due to renovation work.
2. My expectations of Tekton track were too high. The bear enclosure is large, the theming beautiful and the lodge impressive, but I fear I have been spoiled with beautiful European examples of similar themed areas, all of which I rate higher than Tekton track (Pairi Daiza, Hannover Zoo, Zoom Gelsenkirchen to name a few).

 

[CMP]

The next stop on my journey: Memphis Zoo. I had a great time at this zoo, but found this to be the least impressive so far. I have seen many things in this zoo done more beautifully or better elsewhere. The hippo and Nile crocodile enclosure was neatly done and the highlight of the zoo. The China part was nice, but apart from the theming, quite sparse and boring. The pandas have left, but their former quarters seemed quite small to me for such iconic crowd pleasers. In Europe you will find many examples of sometimes much smaller but more atmospheric China theme areas, such as Duisburg, Amersfoort, Rotterdam or Pairi Daisa(!) to name a few.

The Arctic was nice. I also thought the large outdoor area for bongos and red river hogs was very beautiful and green. Just like the primate canyon, but again nothing special. And that was the case for a large part of the zoo: It was all pretty straight forward with no real surprises (elephants, zebras, aquarium, herpentarium, etc. all pretty standard). By the way, some of the cats in Cat Country were really cramped.

This now seems like a very negative review, but I did have a good time at the Memphis Zoo for a full day. Finally, there were two parts I was particularly looking forward to, but ended in (somewhat) disappointment:
1. The nocturnal animal house was unfortunately not accessible due to renovation work.
2. My expectations of Tekton track were too high. The bear enclosure is large, the theming beautiful and the lodge impressive, but I fear I have been spoiled with beautiful European examples of similar themed areas, all of which I rate higher than Tekton track (Pairi Daiza, Hannover Zoo, Zoom Gelsenkirchen to name a few).

Yes, Memphis is nice but a bit overhyped, I think. It has its highlights and well-themed areas, but theming can only go so far, and even then, others globally can beat it. What really made me appreciate Memphis was its unique collection, so I'm really sorry to hear that the nocturnal house was closed for you.

 

[JVM]

The main appeal and interest to me at Memphis is the nocturnal exhibit (and the Sulawesi macaques, though I understand why that would not impress willem since they are more held in Europe) so I would find it pretty disappointing to visit while that area was closed. I really hope you have another chance!

 

[willem]

I'm sorry it took so long to re reply here. After my brilliant trip some personal events took place, that consumed my attention, and after that I kind of forgot this thread, but here I am again and I will continue it because that's the least I can do in return for all the tips and suggestions. Next entry: Saint Louis Zoo!

 

[willem]

As can be seen by the time it took me to write this, it's a bit difficult to remember everything in detail from my visit to Saint Louis Zoo, but what I certainly remember is that this zoo felt a bit like Zoo Berlin. Beautiful old buildings, animals sorted by classes and orders and much to see. I particularly liked Red Rocks; with the large lion and tiger exhibits and great species of ungulates (although some of the smaller cats like puma and leopards had disappointing netted pits). Pity you don't see these lay outs more often anymore (but I understand they may be a bit dull for the average visitor). Also the reptile house with classical centre was nice to visit. Simple but stylish.
The newer part on the east side of the zoo was also great but less atmospheric. Rivers edge had some good large enclosures with good tension build-up before you reach the elephants. I didn't like the polar bears enclosure much (too small, too narrow), but I really liked the pinguin and puffin building. It was too small, but the experience is great (especially considering there are hardly any monkey or lemurs walkthrough exhibits in the US). Overall a day filling very nice zoo where I had a lovely day!