USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
I wonder what they would put in the cheetahs and gorillas place.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Cleveland Zoo next project
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Cheetahs are staying at PC&A.The master plan shows their new exhibit expanding and taking over the Tortoise exhibit
Baryonyx
Well-Known Member
I do wonder what will go in the Gorilla's place.
I wouldn't be surprised if there's a major overhaul of PC&A after the gorillas move out, so it could be a completely different space by that point.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
It's a shame that it appears the Cheetahs will not make their way to Africa. I've always thought they seem remarkably out of place in PCA and they would be even moreso once the building undergoes rennovations. Is there any possibility of them having space in Africa sometime down the road?
The plan was to bring them down to where the picnic area/former Persian Leopard exhibit is back in 2018. I believe Asian Highlands won over and the Cheetahs got bumped back. The current master plan has Cheetahs not only staying at PC&A but getting an exhibit renovation up there too.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
I will certianly be interested in seeing what PCA will become once the Gorillas leave. The building is such a hodgepodge that they can really go in any direction. A Madagascar exhibit would be lovely, as would the building becoming a fully aquatic focus, a large nocturnal building would be great as well.
I will be interested in seeing what the Cheetah expansion entails though. I have yet to see a Cheetah exhibit that I actually enjoy.
USZOOfan42
Well-Known Member
I hope the PCA building gets more cats, they only have cheetahs. After loosing snow leopards and many other smaller cats.
Big question is what else will move to Primate Forests. Will it be just the gorillas? Or are some of the other primates making the move to Rainforest too?
I'd agree that a complete overhaul could be the ideal, however if that doesn't happen then I'd hope the outdoor gorilla space becomes a rotational primate habitat, allowing most of the larger monkeys and lemurs occasional access to the space as enrichment.
I'm more of a primate person myself, but I agree the name doesn't make much sense in the current form. Either pick a more descriptive name for the area, or fully commit and bring in a few smaller cat species (e.g., Pallas', sand, black-footed).
Baryonyx
Well-Known Member
Orangutan Gallery introduces the first-ever outdoor habitat for orangutans in Cleveland and various indoor multi-level views of animals for guests of all abilities.
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
If the Cheetahs are staying, then a cat/aquatics building makes the most sense theming-wise (I can't see them ever getting rid of the fish). There are several nocturnal cats that could make up a nocturnal section of the building and of course several options for smaller cat species as well (Cincinnati's cat section of Night Hunters comes to mind).
If you look at the layout of PC&A, it's fairly cramped together, so there would probably need to be considerable gutting/rebuilding.
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Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
Honestly I think the only way PCA will ever be a genuinely good exhibition building is to make significant changes.
The Aquatics section needs another large draw now that the sharks are gone, and once the Gorillas leave the mammal section will be seriously lacking as well. I don't think leveling the building or anything will be nessecary, but there's definitely room within the current design to redesign within the structure or build off of it like they're doing with the Rainforest.
It is an interesting opportunity. I'm sure the bones of the building are fine and it is an interior exhibit space that works in all four seasons of Cleveland weather. It is just on its own island, I know the tram goes there but there isn't enough around it right now and once the gorillas leave they will lose a key anchor.
I wonder what exhibits they could put in there that would make it more of a destination?
I wonder what exhibits they could put in there that would make it more of a destination?
Baryonyx
Well-Known Member
With new plans stating the Cheetahs will remain in PCA, expanding into the Tortoise Exhibit. The Cheetahs would be the only major species, and during the Winter they probably aren't out. The Zoo seems like they want to keep PCA open, so they will have to find a species that can be seen indoors and outdoors, that could keep the general public coming to PCA. I think that Mandrills or Baboons could be kept in the current Gorilla enclosure with little changes to the habitat made. I do think that the Aquatics side need a major species to keep the public coming to the area, now that the sharks left.
I believe that at one point in the not too distant past there were rumors the 'Aquatics' part of Primate, Cat and Aquatics would be eventually phased out. Which makes sense, since the city of Cleveland now has its own aquarium. The question is, what do they do with the aquarium hall?
Frankie_number_1_fan
Well-Known Member
The way I see it, Cleveland has several options on what they could do with the space/the building as a whole. Given the current trajectory and quality of their new projects, leaving it an unthemed hodgepodge feels unlikely.
Full Aquatics building - Unlikely due to the city having an existing aquarium. However it would be a decent draw to the public.
Reptile House - Would be a lovely change of pace from all mammal exhibits, but unlikely due to current collection.
Cat House - The most likely scenario given that the cheetahs are staying. The building could easily be remodeled to hold Fishing cats, Sand cats, Pallas cats, etc. Still lacking a big draw however.
Nocturnal house - Again would be a very interesting exhibit, but Nocturnal houses can tend to be a bit of hit and miss with the public.
Madagascar building - Would make sense as a seperate entity, could showcase Fossa, Lemurs, etc in a larger area. The cheetahs would look remarkably out of place though.
The website for Primate Forest now features a virtual tour of the building. It seems there's a Tortoise Exhibit planned for PF. Makes sense to move the Aldabra down of their Exhibit in PCA is destined to become part of the Cheetah exhibit
From Cleveland Metropark's website - The RainForest will close September 10th for its transformation into Primate Forest.
In preparation for the start of construction on the Zoo’s new Primate Forest destination, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the upcoming closure of The RainForest. During the temporary closure, many of the spaces within the existing RainForest will be refreshed and remodeled as they are integrated into the Primate Forest to enhance the guest experience and elevate animal wellbeing.
The RainForest has been an iconic destination for more than 30 years, first opening in November 1992. When The RainForest opened, it was recognized as one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world, featuring more than 600 animals representing 118 different species and more than 7,000 live plants, trees and flowers of 360 varieties.
The RainForest has been home to popular species including Bornean orangutan, small-clawed otters, clouded leopard, sloths, anteaters, and a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Among the building’s defining attractions is the iconic 40-foot-tall geodesic dome, which was replaced in 2021 as an initial phase of the significant capital improvements to come. Now, this decades-old landmark will undergo renovation and evolve to meet the needs of the future.
“For more than three decades, The RainForest has fostered a connection between our community and the story of rainforests, generating awareness of the value of these habitats and importance of their protection,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Christopher Kuhar. “So many members of the community have a special connection to The RainForest, whether you remember visiting as a kid, as an adult and sharing the experience with younger generations, or as part of the many special events and weddings that have been hosted at The RainForest.”
Over the coming weeks, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo encourages the community to help commemorate the legacy of The RainForest. Share your memories and photos on social media and tag Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
The final day for guests to experience The RainForest will be Monday, September 9.
On Tuesday, September 10, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will usher in a new era that will transform the site of the Zoo’s RainForest and entry way, breaking ground on the Primate Forest and CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, which are expected to open in 2026.
In preparation for the start of construction on the Zoo’s new Primate Forest destination, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo today announced the upcoming closure of The RainForest. During the temporary closure, many of the spaces within the existing RainForest will be refreshed and remodeled as they are integrated into the Primate Forest to enhance the guest experience and elevate animal wellbeing.
The RainForest has been an iconic destination for more than 30 years, first opening in November 1992. When The RainForest opened, it was recognized as one of the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the world, featuring more than 600 animals representing 118 different species and more than 7,000 live plants, trees and flowers of 360 varieties.
The RainForest has been home to popular species including Bornean orangutan, small-clawed otters, clouded leopard, sloths, anteaters, and a variety of amphibians and reptiles. Among the building’s defining attractions is the iconic 40-foot-tall geodesic dome, which was replaced in 2021 as an initial phase of the significant capital improvements to come. Now, this decades-old landmark will undergo renovation and evolve to meet the needs of the future.
“For more than three decades, The RainForest has fostered a connection between our community and the story of rainforests, generating awareness of the value of these habitats and importance of their protection,” said Cleveland Metroparks Zoo Executive Director Dr. Christopher Kuhar. “So many members of the community have a special connection to The RainForest, whether you remember visiting as a kid, as an adult and sharing the experience with younger generations, or as part of the many special events and weddings that have been hosted at The RainForest.”
Over the coming weeks, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo encourages the community to help commemorate the legacy of The RainForest. Share your memories and photos on social media and tag Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.
The final day for guests to experience The RainForest will be Monday, September 9.
On Tuesday, September 10, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will usher in a new era that will transform the site of the Zoo’s RainForest and entry way, breaking ground on the Primate Forest and CrossCountry Mortgage Forest Home, which are expected to open in 2026.