I actually feel that the two tapir exhibits got significantly better since both now allow the tapirs access to the upper portions of the exhibits and natural foliage. They essentially doubled the size of the exhibits instantly.
Zoo/Aquarium Hot Takes
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I actually feel that the two tapir exhibits got significantly better since both now allow the tapirs access to the upper portions of the exhibits and natural foliage. They essentially doubled the size of the exhibits instantly.
I agree, the tapir exhibit is definitely better than it was, but it certainly isn't the best. It's also far from the worst thing ever, but is far below average.
After living in NYC for a few years, I started to feel the same way about the Bronx Zoo's exhibits as well. Now I no longer live near the Bronx so the next time I go I might feel the awe again, but at the same time the zoos presently around me are all lower quality. I guess the grass is always greener.
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AnActualFan
Well-Known Member
Honestly, perhaps that is why I feel so negative towards Miami, I've been there so many times any kind of magic is lost on me, though I still think there is a massive flaw with the lack of A/C places in a giant zoo like in Miami.
I can't say I share the feeling that being in close proximity to a major zoo makes it lose its charm. I suppose any place can be over visited, but I don't think I'll ever get tired of Bronx's best exhibits.
~Thylo
~Thylo
AnActualFan
Well-Known Member
As someone who has moved to NY and has been to the Bronx Zoo around 4 times this summer, with a final trip of the year coming this weekend, I can't say the same, it still has that sense of awe.
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Feel the same about Chester really, its top exhibits continue to really stand out as they always have for me.
I think that's my exact feeling about the Bronx Zoo. I imagine it's all amazing to a tourist but having seen every last corner of the zoo multiple times, it just doesn't hit me anymore.
Still a cool zoo though, probs one of the top 10.
Referring to earlier, that was more a general wish and I didn't mean to start that talk on public transportation. I do hope future generations can emphasize public transportation in this country but that's not on zoos. Sry for the confusion
The Bronx Zoo is still my favorite zoo I have been to (out of 56 zoos I’ve visited), but I definitely have noticed a difference after coming back again and again. I used to get chills going through exhibits like Jungle World and Madagascar, especially when those buildings were unfamiliar to me and they contained more great surprises. Today, while I still love those exhibits, I have also become more familiar with them and there are fewer surprises left. The exhibits are still wonderful, but the thrilling feeling isn’t the same (maybe similar to watching a movie that has been spoiled for you?).
I will add though that some of the other exhibits, like Congo Gorilla Forest and World of Birds, did never lose their original sense of awe.
Gibbonsagainstgravity
Well-Known Member
There is a large difference between “Overrated” and “bad”.
I guess the orangutan forest is a stretch, though it is certainly not the most naturalistic exhibit around. Since it is under construction though (and may very well become one of the greatest exhibits around!), I suppose it doesn’t deserve to be on this list.
As for the Desert dome, it has in my opinion quite a few more unsuitable exhibits than the bobcats. Again, overrated is not equivalent to bad.
Some of the enclosures in the lied Jungle are a bit barren.
IMO, things are often greatly overrated simply because people build up hype like all hell.
The best way to not think something is overrated is simply to go in with little to no expectations.
I'm honestly not a big fan of indoor penguin exhibits. I get that this is necessary in warmer climates but it feels like quite often they are rather cramped and sterile. It might be an exposure thing for me, here in the UK I don't think any zoos have indoor enclosures (only aquariums) even for "Antarctic" penguins like king, rockhopper and gentoo. Obviously it's colder here in the UK but I honestly don't think I've seen many indoor penguin enclosures that look really great for their inhabitants compared to outdoor.
Also I'd be interested to know, why is it mostly just penguins? Any fully indoor enclosures for cold climate mammals would probably be frowned upon. Are penguins that much more sensitive to temperature changes?
Also I'd be interested to know, why is it mostly just penguins? Any fully indoor enclosures for cold climate mammals would probably be frowned upon. Are penguins that much more sensitive to temperature changes?
The more pertinent factor is aspergillosis - which, to cite a pair of examples from the not-so-distant past, wiped out the entire group of Little Blue Penguin at Bristol over the course of a few years, and later wiped out a thirty-strong group of said species at Wuppertal within months of their import.
Keep in mind the Antarctic species (all of which you have in the UK are also sub-Antarctic, you don't have any true Antarctic endemics like some American collections have) kept outdoors in the UK are mostly concentrated in the northern reaches of the country, not anywhere near the longitudes or the climates seen in the US, mainland Europe, or even the southern UK.
~Thylo
In sheer number of penguins you are probably right (both Edinburgh and Belfast have large groups) but not so true in terms of collection I would have thought, Drusillas, Whipsnade, and Birdland all keep subantarctic species outdoors and are in southern England. Not to mention Folly Farm in Wales keeps macaronis and is at roughly the same latitude as Birdland.
I'd suggest you look into Detroit Zoo's Polk Penguin Conservation Center. That indoor penguin exhibit is by far my favorite exhibit for penguins I've ever seen. As for "fully indoor enclosures for cold climate mammals", I'm not sure why that'd be frowned upon. If by cold climate mammals you are referring to polar bears, snow leopards, and Amur tiger, then yeah, but I don't see why housing a Pallas' cat indoors is any different than housing a sand cat indoors, and I want to say there are at least one or two zoos out there with entirely indoor red panda exhibits (I forget where), and that's a species that indoor exhibits wouldn't really be criticized for. I've seen indoor exhibits for North American Porcupine as well, which don't seem to get much attention as being overly good or bad.
I can understand the arguments against keeping certain species entirely indoors, but I do think for most species it is not inherently bad for their welfare, and the more outdoor exhibits are emphasized as the only ideal, the more I fear we'll get animals living half the year in sub-par behind-the-scenes holdings, rather than the full year in an impressive exhibit. Sure, outdoor exhibits when done well are very impressive, but I've also seen many just as impressive indoor exhibits (such as Detroit's penguin complex).
It depends between exhibits. for example, the lighting in indoor exhibit varies a lot and it has a great effect on how you view such. Also some exhibits also have a "reverse daylight cycle" that may suit the penguins better. Also if we're talking about emperor or chinstrap i do think they need more colder temperatue
La Cucaracha
Well-Known Member
Somewhat related about The Gorilla Foundation.
1. I've never seen such blatant ableism as people refusing to believe sign speakers that Koko couldn't sign. She was trained to say certain things at best.
2. Michael could sign better than Koko did.
1. I've never seen such blatant ableism as people refusing to believe sign speakers that Koko couldn't sign. She was trained to say certain things at best.
2. Michael could sign better than Koko did.
RandomZooVisitorYT
Well-Known Member
Philadelphia Zoo and Denver are highly overrated