About Arbuckle Wilderness - I've read they also have a small area you can walk around with enclosures for some primates and birds. I don't remember Fossil Rim having something like that, even though it appears that what's at AW is nothing special. I missed this part when I was there a few years ago. Other than that and the parrots in the giftshop, it's basically the same as Fossil Rim.
jbnbsn99's Texas Zoos
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jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Ellen Trout Photos
I've finally begun uploading my photos from my trip to the Ellen Trout Zoo. Judge for yourself.
Ellen Trout Zoo Gallery » ZooChat
I've finally begun uploading my photos from my trip to the Ellen Trout Zoo. Judge for yourself.
Ellen Trout Zoo Gallery » ZooChat
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Fort Worth Zoo Review part drei
Ok let's finish this thing up. The last time we left our intrepid review he was heading towards the old reptile house, but first, the penguins. The penguins exhibit showcases African Black-Footed Penguins. This is an indoor exhibit that used to be the Komodo Dragon area. The Komodos haven't been seen in about 2 years but are supposed to show up in the MOLA. The outdoor Komodo yard had been turned into an area for Crested porcupines, but when I went on Monday, none were to be seen and all signs indicating their presence were removed. The penguin exhibit smells of fish, but has a nice air conditioning system. Evidently these are the same birds that used to reside in the old aquarium that was demolished in 2002, and the penguins were held off exhibit for nearly 6 years before their new home was built. Exhibit is nothing bad, with underwater viewing and lots of birds to be seen. Outside of the penguins is a pool for 3 Gharials. Again these will be moving to the MOLA soon. For some reason I am fascinated by these guys and I chuckle to myself when ever a little kid (or a parent for that matter) asks if they're real.
Into the Reptile House. As noted elsewhere the FWZ has a huge collection of reptiles and amphibians. The tally for who has the largest collection goes back and forth between Fort Worth and Dallas. Nothing like a little bit of intra-city rivalry. I won't spend too much time on this building as it will no longer be with us by February. The basic layout is a big loop around the building with large and small tanks lining the walls. Fairly typical Reptile house design. It's an old dark building that will be vastly improved with the Museum of Living Art.
On to Texas Wild! Again there has been a lot of discussion on here about Texas Wild!, both good and bad. When you first enter you are thrown into a Texan city that amusement parkly replicates an old west Texan town. Here you find a carousel, livestock petting yard, kids play area (which I've never been in as you have to have children to enter - no loss I think), gift shop, candy store, and restaurants. The food here is some of the best in the zoo. Pizza Hut, a general chicken finger/burger place and Dickie's Barbecue (Dickie's for those of you non-Texans is real Texan BBQ, beef and lots of it with think BBQ sauce not vinegary like some weird BBQ's that I've only heard about. Oh and occasionally you can get pork or chicken, but why would you do that?). Also here is the Texas Hall of Wonders a building with Texan records, a show on Texan weather, and then a display on Texan environmental issues. I hardly ever go in as you have to sit through the inane weather show to get to the better stuff. It's kind of like one of the smaller exhibits at a natural history museum.
On to the animals, as that is really the main concern of this forum. The animals are divided into the main regions of Texas: High Plains, Piney Woods, Gulf Coast, Scrub Lands, Mountain. First the High Plains. Here you enter into a dilapidated shack (intentional) that houses Swift Foxes, Prairie Dogs and Burrowing Owls, and a Black-Footed Ferret. The only successful exhibit here is the Prairie Dogs and Owls. The Fox are is about 6 feet by 6 feet - tiny. The Black-footed Ferret I have never seen active. It sleeps all day in a cubby hole at the bottom of the exhibit. You can see into it, but in order to do that I have to get my 6'2" self down onto the ground. There's a good chance then that I won't get up. Adjacent to this house is an open area for White-Tailed Deer, Turkeys, and Sandhill Crane. Not bad at all, and probably one of the better exhibits in TW! Also there is a pool here with catfish that you can feed, but it seems that the catfish don't actually like the Koi food that the zoo provides.
Next you cross a bridge over a creek and enter the Piney Woods. 4 exhibits are here, all pretty good. First is an exhibit for Red Wolves. I like this area it's big and spacious and I haven't seen a wolf in it since November of 2007 (they finally put up a sign on the glass viewing window saying that animals are off exhibit-ISIS lists them as still having 1.1). Next to this is an area for a big Alligator (also 2 alligator snapping turtles). Fairly spacious with a big under water viewing window. There is a separator between this area and one for North American River Otters, but it is designed to look like it is one continuous exhibit. Another good exhibit here. Lots of land and water for the otters. There is a bubble window for kids and limber adults to view the otters from "inside" the tank. Like all otters these are always playful and make a good show. These big tanks spill into the Black bear habitat. This is one of the better bear areas I have seen. Sure it could be more spacious, what exhibit couldn't. A cool feature is a fake fallen log that you can climb into (again not me!) that goes into the bear exhibit. Of course there is a double metal grate that separates you from the bear, but you can get extremely close to the bear. I have never once seen a bear anywhere near the inside of this log. There are lots of viewing opportunities to view the bears, mostly through glass windows which provides for excellent camera work. Over all I would say that the bears have about 1/3 of an acre.
Next area is the Gulf Coasts. You enter into a building that has some small aquariums with native gulf fish (and a few freshwater ones as well). There is a rescued sea turtle here (minus a flipper). Big attraction here are the touch tanks. I've never partaken in these tanks, as I don't really feel I have the need to touch a horseshoe crab. Outdoors of the indoor area is the shore bird aviary. I know Ungulate has remarked about how much he liked this area. Like the penguin area it has a lingering odor of fish, not that that's a bad thing though. Here you find pelicans (brown and white), Rosette Spoonbills, Terns, Ducks, and probably a few others. Quite a nice exhibit.
Up until now only one exhibit, the Swift Fox, has been anything but good. The next area is where people tend to have their biggest problem with TW! This is the Scrub area. Here you find the big cats. First exhibit is for Bald Eagles. Nothing bad, especially all Bald Eagles in zoos have been injured in the wild and cannot be released. Next to this is a nice area for Coatis. They are usually active and have lots of climbing areas. Now the areas of contention. First the Mountain Lions. Two Pumas share a small space here. I think it gives the impression of being smaller than it actually is, but this is just my opinion. There are actually lots of places the cougars can climb, and usually one is just visible. Granted the exhibit is small and should be twice the size for the Catamounts. It seems native big cats are always shafted on the size of exhibits. Next to the Panthers are two semi-indoor areas. One is for a North American Porcupine and a Ringtail. Both of these animals are always asleep in their concrete abode. I have only seen them move once or twice. The other area is a rotation exhibit. Every 4 days an ocelot and a bobcat rotate this holding area that is pretty much the mirror revers of the Porcupine/Ringtail exhibit. I was able to talk with a keeper here on Monday (one of the only times I've ever been able to do that at the FWZ). This is another one of those situations where the animals prefer their indoor exhibit to their out door exhibit with is right next door. The outdoor area is about 2 or 3 times as large as the indoor area. Lots of climbing areas, but still very small, but then again we are talking about smaller cats. Next to this area is one of similar size for Coyotes. Coyotes aren't given too much respect 'round these parts. The dogs are usually playful, but again need a lot more room. Next to the Coyotes are the Jaguars. This area of course is considerably bigger than the Bobcat/Ocelot and Coyote areas, but is still very small. It is not a jungle Jaguar area, but a Scrub Jaguar area which reflects the terrain that the Jaguars used to found in in Texas about 100 years ago. If all three of these exhibits were made into one, it would be a decent sized area for one of the 4 species. Across from the Jaguars is a walk-though aviary with birds like Green Jays and Inca Doves. Its smallish but perfectly fine. Near here are small indoor aviaries for birds of prey. The birds rotate on and off exhibit so I never know which one will be out on the day I visit. I usually see a Crested Caracara, an Aplomado Falcon, and a Swainson's Hawk. Close by is a flight demonstration area for the birds of prey. It's usually fun to watch how well trained these birds are.
Last area of TW! is the Mountains. Here we have the Insect City. It a dark nocturnal house. Here you find Kangaroo Rats, Texas Horny Toads, Rattlesnakes, Bats, and lots and lots of bugs. At the end of the building there is a movie theater that plays a movie talking about how great Texas is (hey we never said Texans were humble now did we!). I usually skip it (in fact I think I've only seen it twice). This is a nice area, but one a lot of people (cough*women*cough) skip due to its creepy, crawly aspect. Leaving this area you follow the trail back to the town. You pass along the way some Texas Longhorn Cattle and a few horses. It is at this point that I usually get some Barbecue (god I'm hungry now).
On Monday, I did something for the first time that I had never done before. There is a little train the take you from TW! back to the front of the zoo. I decided to take it as I knew I was writing a review and I should experience everything the zoo has to offer (barring those that I'm just too old to visit). I'm used to my train at Dallas, big, sleek, and electric. This is of course the exact opposite being a miniature steam engine. I now wonder why I never did this before. It was quite pleasant, but for about a 5 minute ride $2 is way too much for me. The big shocker here was an animal exhibit that I had never seen before. I had heard a rumor that it existed about a month or so ago which is why I decided to travel upon the train. Sure enough it was there. Years ago I believe it held the Mexican Wolves that I knew they had, but that I never saw. Now it is a holding area for the Aldabra Tortoises that will make their way to the MOLA. The MOLA is another reason I took the train so that I could get another view of the construction.
Upon disembarking the train I headed for the Crocodile Cafe which is the first part of the MOLA. It's a food court that has been open for about a year and a half now. I was intending to get a burrito at the wonderful Mexican place that they have. Unfortunately, it was closed, so I had to opt for Burger King. I probably haven't had BK in about a decade. I never did like it, and now it will probably be about that long before I have another. After waiting in line 30 minutes to get my food I get my order and of course it's all wrong. It took the semi-evolved troglodytic workers there with an IQ just above that of half-eroded sand stone 3 tries to get my order right. I really should have let them know that it was my intention that day to right an extensive review of their zoo and ALL of the aspects contained therein. I have to say this though about the food, usually I really enjoy it, but not the BK - never again.
Ok now for the part everyone is waiting on the MOLA. I had to relay the story about my screwed up burger because it leads directly into the new Museum of Living Art. The food court is the first phase of this project. When completed diners will be surrounded by Saltwater Crocodiles and Gharials. The Salties will be visible from near the food lines and will be able to be view from the cafe by their beach area. The Gharials on the other hand will be seen underwater. Along the glass outer wall imagine it four feet deep under water with one of the largest crocodilians alive swimming right by. This will be cool. The Gharials have a huge area, one of the biggest I've seen for crocodilians. Work is coming along, but the disappointing aspect is that it was scheduled to have opened this month, but now is set to open in February of next year. Come on, does it really take nearly 3 years to build this thing?
Finally we're at the end. Overall the Fort Worth Zoo is nice, but not great. What I look for in a zoo are standout exhibit. Exhibits that are naturalistic, immersion exhibits, and areas that make me go wow. As far as I'm concerned, Fort Worth has non of these. The MOLA, may lead the way for this, but that is only one area in what is generally considered a great zoo. In my travels this summer I have seen some great exhibits. Both Caldwell Zoo's and Cameron Park Zoo's Savannas are magnificent. The Lion exhibit in Houston is wonderful. Don't even get me started on how great I think some of the Dallas exhibits are. I don't see anything like that at Fort Worth. So as I've been ranking my zoos on a scale of 1-10 I would have to put Fort Worth at about a 6.5. For those of you keeping track here are the tallys so far.
Caldwell Zoo 8.5
Cameron Park Zoo 7.5
Fort Worth Zoo 6.5
Houston Zoo 5
Ellen Trout Zoo 2
And if you've stayed with me this long thank you, now you deserve a cookie, or maybe pudding. How about both!
Ok let's finish this thing up. The last time we left our intrepid review he was heading towards the old reptile house, but first, the penguins. The penguins exhibit showcases African Black-Footed Penguins. This is an indoor exhibit that used to be the Komodo Dragon area. The Komodos haven't been seen in about 2 years but are supposed to show up in the MOLA. The outdoor Komodo yard had been turned into an area for Crested porcupines, but when I went on Monday, none were to be seen and all signs indicating their presence were removed. The penguin exhibit smells of fish, but has a nice air conditioning system. Evidently these are the same birds that used to reside in the old aquarium that was demolished in 2002, and the penguins were held off exhibit for nearly 6 years before their new home was built. Exhibit is nothing bad, with underwater viewing and lots of birds to be seen. Outside of the penguins is a pool for 3 Gharials. Again these will be moving to the MOLA soon. For some reason I am fascinated by these guys and I chuckle to myself when ever a little kid (or a parent for that matter) asks if they're real.
Into the Reptile House. As noted elsewhere the FWZ has a huge collection of reptiles and amphibians. The tally for who has the largest collection goes back and forth between Fort Worth and Dallas. Nothing like a little bit of intra-city rivalry. I won't spend too much time on this building as it will no longer be with us by February. The basic layout is a big loop around the building with large and small tanks lining the walls. Fairly typical Reptile house design. It's an old dark building that will be vastly improved with the Museum of Living Art.
On to Texas Wild! Again there has been a lot of discussion on here about Texas Wild!, both good and bad. When you first enter you are thrown into a Texan city that amusement parkly replicates an old west Texan town. Here you find a carousel, livestock petting yard, kids play area (which I've never been in as you have to have children to enter - no loss I think), gift shop, candy store, and restaurants. The food here is some of the best in the zoo. Pizza Hut, a general chicken finger/burger place and Dickie's Barbecue (Dickie's for those of you non-Texans is real Texan BBQ, beef and lots of it with think BBQ sauce not vinegary like some weird BBQ's that I've only heard about. Oh and occasionally you can get pork or chicken, but why would you do that?). Also here is the Texas Hall of Wonders a building with Texan records, a show on Texan weather, and then a display on Texan environmental issues. I hardly ever go in as you have to sit through the inane weather show to get to the better stuff. It's kind of like one of the smaller exhibits at a natural history museum.
On to the animals, as that is really the main concern of this forum. The animals are divided into the main regions of Texas: High Plains, Piney Woods, Gulf Coast, Scrub Lands, Mountain. First the High Plains. Here you enter into a dilapidated shack (intentional) that houses Swift Foxes, Prairie Dogs and Burrowing Owls, and a Black-Footed Ferret. The only successful exhibit here is the Prairie Dogs and Owls. The Fox are is about 6 feet by 6 feet - tiny. The Black-footed Ferret I have never seen active. It sleeps all day in a cubby hole at the bottom of the exhibit. You can see into it, but in order to do that I have to get my 6'2" self down onto the ground. There's a good chance then that I won't get up. Adjacent to this house is an open area for White-Tailed Deer, Turkeys, and Sandhill Crane. Not bad at all, and probably one of the better exhibits in TW! Also there is a pool here with catfish that you can feed, but it seems that the catfish don't actually like the Koi food that the zoo provides.
Next you cross a bridge over a creek and enter the Piney Woods. 4 exhibits are here, all pretty good. First is an exhibit for Red Wolves. I like this area it's big and spacious and I haven't seen a wolf in it since November of 2007 (they finally put up a sign on the glass viewing window saying that animals are off exhibit-ISIS lists them as still having 1.1). Next to this is an area for a big Alligator (also 2 alligator snapping turtles). Fairly spacious with a big under water viewing window. There is a separator between this area and one for North American River Otters, but it is designed to look like it is one continuous exhibit. Another good exhibit here. Lots of land and water for the otters. There is a bubble window for kids and limber adults to view the otters from "inside" the tank. Like all otters these are always playful and make a good show. These big tanks spill into the Black bear habitat. This is one of the better bear areas I have seen. Sure it could be more spacious, what exhibit couldn't. A cool feature is a fake fallen log that you can climb into (again not me!) that goes into the bear exhibit. Of course there is a double metal grate that separates you from the bear, but you can get extremely close to the bear. I have never once seen a bear anywhere near the inside of this log. There are lots of viewing opportunities to view the bears, mostly through glass windows which provides for excellent camera work. Over all I would say that the bears have about 1/3 of an acre.
Next area is the Gulf Coasts. You enter into a building that has some small aquariums with native gulf fish (and a few freshwater ones as well). There is a rescued sea turtle here (minus a flipper). Big attraction here are the touch tanks. I've never partaken in these tanks, as I don't really feel I have the need to touch a horseshoe crab. Outdoors of the indoor area is the shore bird aviary. I know Ungulate has remarked about how much he liked this area. Like the penguin area it has a lingering odor of fish, not that that's a bad thing though. Here you find pelicans (brown and white), Rosette Spoonbills, Terns, Ducks, and probably a few others. Quite a nice exhibit.
Up until now only one exhibit, the Swift Fox, has been anything but good. The next area is where people tend to have their biggest problem with TW! This is the Scrub area. Here you find the big cats. First exhibit is for Bald Eagles. Nothing bad, especially all Bald Eagles in zoos have been injured in the wild and cannot be released. Next to this is a nice area for Coatis. They are usually active and have lots of climbing areas. Now the areas of contention. First the Mountain Lions. Two Pumas share a small space here. I think it gives the impression of being smaller than it actually is, but this is just my opinion. There are actually lots of places the cougars can climb, and usually one is just visible. Granted the exhibit is small and should be twice the size for the Catamounts. It seems native big cats are always shafted on the size of exhibits. Next to the Panthers are two semi-indoor areas. One is for a North American Porcupine and a Ringtail. Both of these animals are always asleep in their concrete abode. I have only seen them move once or twice. The other area is a rotation exhibit. Every 4 days an ocelot and a bobcat rotate this holding area that is pretty much the mirror revers of the Porcupine/Ringtail exhibit. I was able to talk with a keeper here on Monday (one of the only times I've ever been able to do that at the FWZ). This is another one of those situations where the animals prefer their indoor exhibit to their out door exhibit with is right next door. The outdoor area is about 2 or 3 times as large as the indoor area. Lots of climbing areas, but still very small, but then again we are talking about smaller cats. Next to this area is one of similar size for Coyotes. Coyotes aren't given too much respect 'round these parts. The dogs are usually playful, but again need a lot more room. Next to the Coyotes are the Jaguars. This area of course is considerably bigger than the Bobcat/Ocelot and Coyote areas, but is still very small. It is not a jungle Jaguar area, but a Scrub Jaguar area which reflects the terrain that the Jaguars used to found in in Texas about 100 years ago. If all three of these exhibits were made into one, it would be a decent sized area for one of the 4 species. Across from the Jaguars is a walk-though aviary with birds like Green Jays and Inca Doves. Its smallish but perfectly fine. Near here are small indoor aviaries for birds of prey. The birds rotate on and off exhibit so I never know which one will be out on the day I visit. I usually see a Crested Caracara, an Aplomado Falcon, and a Swainson's Hawk. Close by is a flight demonstration area for the birds of prey. It's usually fun to watch how well trained these birds are.
Last area of TW! is the Mountains. Here we have the Insect City. It a dark nocturnal house. Here you find Kangaroo Rats, Texas Horny Toads, Rattlesnakes, Bats, and lots and lots of bugs. At the end of the building there is a movie theater that plays a movie talking about how great Texas is (hey we never said Texans were humble now did we!). I usually skip it (in fact I think I've only seen it twice). This is a nice area, but one a lot of people (cough*women*cough) skip due to its creepy, crawly aspect. Leaving this area you follow the trail back to the town. You pass along the way some Texas Longhorn Cattle and a few horses. It is at this point that I usually get some Barbecue (god I'm hungry now).
On Monday, I did something for the first time that I had never done before. There is a little train the take you from TW! back to the front of the zoo. I decided to take it as I knew I was writing a review and I should experience everything the zoo has to offer (barring those that I'm just too old to visit). I'm used to my train at Dallas, big, sleek, and electric. This is of course the exact opposite being a miniature steam engine. I now wonder why I never did this before. It was quite pleasant, but for about a 5 minute ride $2 is way too much for me. The big shocker here was an animal exhibit that I had never seen before. I had heard a rumor that it existed about a month or so ago which is why I decided to travel upon the train. Sure enough it was there. Years ago I believe it held the Mexican Wolves that I knew they had, but that I never saw. Now it is a holding area for the Aldabra Tortoises that will make their way to the MOLA. The MOLA is another reason I took the train so that I could get another view of the construction.
Upon disembarking the train I headed for the Crocodile Cafe which is the first part of the MOLA. It's a food court that has been open for about a year and a half now. I was intending to get a burrito at the wonderful Mexican place that they have. Unfortunately, it was closed, so I had to opt for Burger King. I probably haven't had BK in about a decade. I never did like it, and now it will probably be about that long before I have another. After waiting in line 30 minutes to get my food I get my order and of course it's all wrong. It took the semi-evolved troglodytic workers there with an IQ just above that of half-eroded sand stone 3 tries to get my order right. I really should have let them know that it was my intention that day to right an extensive review of their zoo and ALL of the aspects contained therein. I have to say this though about the food, usually I really enjoy it, but not the BK - never again.
Ok now for the part everyone is waiting on the MOLA. I had to relay the story about my screwed up burger because it leads directly into the new Museum of Living Art. The food court is the first phase of this project. When completed diners will be surrounded by Saltwater Crocodiles and Gharials. The Salties will be visible from near the food lines and will be able to be view from the cafe by their beach area. The Gharials on the other hand will be seen underwater. Along the glass outer wall imagine it four feet deep under water with one of the largest crocodilians alive swimming right by. This will be cool. The Gharials have a huge area, one of the biggest I've seen for crocodilians. Work is coming along, but the disappointing aspect is that it was scheduled to have opened this month, but now is set to open in February of next year. Come on, does it really take nearly 3 years to build this thing?
Finally we're at the end. Overall the Fort Worth Zoo is nice, but not great. What I look for in a zoo are standout exhibit. Exhibits that are naturalistic, immersion exhibits, and areas that make me go wow. As far as I'm concerned, Fort Worth has non of these. The MOLA, may lead the way for this, but that is only one area in what is generally considered a great zoo. In my travels this summer I have seen some great exhibits. Both Caldwell Zoo's and Cameron Park Zoo's Savannas are magnificent. The Lion exhibit in Houston is wonderful. Don't even get me started on how great I think some of the Dallas exhibits are. I don't see anything like that at Fort Worth. So as I've been ranking my zoos on a scale of 1-10 I would have to put Fort Worth at about a 6.5. For those of you keeping track here are the tallys so far.
Caldwell Zoo 8.5
Cameron Park Zoo 7.5
Fort Worth Zoo 6.5
Houston Zoo 5
Ellen Trout Zoo 2
And if you've stayed with me this long thank you, now you deserve a cookie, or maybe pudding. How about both!
Last edited:
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I've already gone back and forth, back and forth, and back and forth with other ZooChatters over my feelings about Texas Wild! I personally feel it DOES have that "Wow factor", as it's one of the few exhibits (in the entire USA) that has the appeal to almost-literally pull traveling families off of the interstate to come see it. Of course you (and others) cite the smallness of the cougar and jaguar habitats. I truly would be nice if they were a bit larger -- what exhibit wouldn't be better if larger? But here's my question: Did you genuinely feel that these cats were "suffering"? If so, then that's a definite point against this otherwise amazing exhibit. But if they really weren't literally suffering, why hold this against this exhibit?
My feeling is that the jaguars in Texas Wild! are like my middle class children who grew up in a middle class house. The jaguars in Seattle's excellent Jaguar Cove are like the kids of a millionaire, living in a huge, beautiful mansion. Sure, it would've been nice if I could've afforded to let my children have all the benefits and extra space of the mansion, but did my children "suffer" from this depravation? Not if my wife & I provided them with all of the love, care, and "enrichments" they needed. So while the Fort Worth jaguars don't have it as nice as the Seattle jaguars, are those FW jaguars actually "suffering"?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I never said that I thought that the Jaguars are suffering. Far from it actually. I know that they breed quite regularly, and while I know that is not an indicator of an animals comfort it is what the zoo is looking for them to do. I like the analogy to them being middle class. I honestly don't have anything against Texas Wild!, but I just don't find it that spectacular. In all honestly it was the one section of the zoo, that when I was visiting it weekly, I would either skip over or go through rather quickly. When I go to a zoo my main focus is to see the animals and the people attractions are a bonus. In this area you can get all of the amenities of Texas Wild!, minus the animals, at Six Flags Over Texas. It is virtually the same concept as Texas Wild!, but has rides.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Interesting comparison, and thanks for your honest assessment. My counter would be that Six Flags is much, much, much more expensive! The people attractions in Texas Wild! don't appeal to you much because you are a ZooChatter -- one of us "fanatical" zoo/animal-lovers. But the point has been made that we ZooChatters are an extremely teensy segment of the population. Consider a family from Tennessee on the interstate, I-20, rolling through Texas on their way to see Grandma & Grandpa in Arizona. As they read/hear about this Texas Wild! exhibit, the parents realize that it's an excellent chance for the kids to experience and learn about the animals, culture, food, and history of your Lone Star State -- all within the confines of a friendly zoo, and for the price of a zoo (and not a theme park's price). Doesn't Texas Wild! fit that mode quite well?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
As a tourist attraction, I can't argue with you one bit. As a native Texan it's is something that is not out of the ordinary. While I agree on the whole price issue with the zoo much cheaper, here in Fort Worth you can actually go to the real thing, not just a replication of it. Just go north of downtown to the Stockyards. Plus that's free!
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
What excites me about Texas Wild! (in addition to all the cultural stuff) is that it offers the chance to see one of the best collections of almost every animals that is either native to, or once was native to, Texas. Is there any better collection of Texan wildlife in one place?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Yes. Waco's Cameron Park Zoo has I think a far better collection in their Brazos River Country. It has nearly all the same species plus a whole lot more including Bison, Javalinas, large fresh and satwater aquariums, and more reptiles.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Good point! I guess if you want to see all the animals of Texas Wild!, minus the cultural and historical themes, Brazon River Country is a good alternative. But I still think that family on I-20 might really enjoy a real "Texas experience" with animals in Fort Worth.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
No doubt that the cultural aspect is impressive at Fort Worth. One of the reasons I'm witting these extensive reviews is for the hardcore ZooChatter. I tend to, like most people on here, focus on the animal areas while putting in a secondary role the amenities. This is odd for me as I actually work in guest relations at my zoo, so I can very easily see both sides of the coin.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I get the idea that you're very good at your job! Thanks for the conversation.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Well I enjoy what I do, so for me that's the biggest plus. It is always interesting to see how other people view zoos. I read through your book some time ago, and now I have an alternate book of zoo reviews by Anthony Marshall. All I can say is that yours is far superior. Something about that book make me cringe (probably the review of Dallas).
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Thanks! Are you comparing my 1994 book to Marshall's? The funny thing about AM's book was that he included "profiles" of places like Circus World Museum, The Wilds, Kings Island, Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, the not-open-to-the-public Front Royal conservation park, as well as little zoos in Baraboo, Utica, and Emporia -- but he then left out major zoos like Jacksonville, Lowry Park, and Gladys Porter. I think the guy just went on a few big zoo trips and decided to write about whatever he was able to visit.
I'd take more shots at poor Ol' Anthony, but he's got enough other problems (legal) right now.
Did you know I have a new book? (2008)
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
In fairness to Anthony, it's not a fair comparison to compare our 2008 book with Marshall's outdated 1994 book! LOL!
@jbnbsn99: thanks again for all of your great reviews and comments, and we've also chatted privately and so you know that I appreciate the write-ups and especially all of the numerous photos. It seems as if in your opinion clearly the best zoo in the State of Texas is the small but excellent Caldwell collection, although you've been understandably holding back on a comprehensive review of the Dallas Zoo. Since I've only ever visited the Fort Worth Zoo it's terrific to read about the other collections in that huge State. I almost regret seeing Fort Worth when perhaps Caldwell (even though it is small) or Dallas (even though it is under development) might have been better choices.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
You're right. At the moment Caldwell is my number 1, but that is closely followed by Cameron Park. Fossil Rim, Dallas World Aquarium, and San Antonio will all follow soon I hope and will be sprinkled in between the zoos already ranked. I'm sure that I will rank Fossil Rim and DWA high but as for San Antonio that will be a wait and see. Truth be told, without any bias I would rank Dallas up in the top two 2 or 3 (maybe 1?).
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