Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Yes yes, my friends there will not forgive me this gaff!
North American Rain Forest Buildings
- Thread starter snowleopard
- Start date
Yes yes, my friends there will not forgive me this gaff!
ZooLex Exhibit
The $16 million rainforest building at the Buffalo Zoo is already on Zoolex! It just opened in September.
The $16 million rainforest building at the Buffalo Zoo is already on Zoolex! It just opened in September.
Zebraduiker
Well-Known Member
I've vistetd a few oif these lsied Rainforest buildings in teh states as also in europe, the only one I really like isn Bush at arnheim, the others are nice to see for the vistots, but the exhibits for the animals are often to small or have no enrichment.
The most terrible Rainforst I've ever seen is the Tropcial World at Brookfield, some people call i t"Tragedy World". I don't like only indoor exhibits for big mammals, so for primates,tapirs,anteaters(Cleveland and Brookfield, both holdings are horrible)or pygmy hippos.
The Rainforst at Praha Zoo is nice, but is also ahs onyl indoor exhibits, a slike as most other Rainforst Buildings. I've herad much things about the Jungle World at Bronx, but I know ina dvance, it is not a good house for the animals, and thats why I see these buildings from two diffrent views.
Another question is, theera are so amny asian and south american rainforest buildings, but no only one with an african theme, why ? The african rainforst is full of interesting species....But I guess, there will never be a rainforest buildings with really good animal exhibits....
The most terrible Rainforst I've ever seen is the Tropcial World at Brookfield, some people call i t"Tragedy World". I don't like only indoor exhibits for big mammals, so for primates,tapirs,anteaters(Cleveland and Brookfield, both holdings are horrible)or pygmy hippos.
The Rainforst at Praha Zoo is nice, but is also ahs onyl indoor exhibits, a slike as most other Rainforst Buildings. I've herad much things about the Jungle World at Bronx, but I know ina dvance, it is not a good house for the animals, and thats why I see these buildings from two diffrent views.
Another question is, theera are so amny asian and south american rainforest buildings, but no only one with an african theme, why ? The african rainforst is full of interesting species....But I guess, there will never be a rainforest buildings with really good animal exhibits....
Zebraduiker
Well-Known Member
I've vistetd a few oif these lsied Rainforest buildings in teh states as also in europe, the only one I really like isn Bush at arnheim, the others are nice to see for the vistots, but the exhibits for the animals are often to small or have no enrichment.
The most terrible Rainforst I've ever seen is the Tropcial World at Brookfield, some people call i t"Tragedy World". I don't like only indoor exhibits for big mammals, so for primates,tapirs,anteaters(Cleveland and Brookfield, both holdings are horrible)or pygmy hippos.
The Rainforst at Praha Zoo is nice, but is also ahs onyl indoor exhibits, a slike as most other Rainforst Buildings. I've herad much things about the Jungle World at Bronx, but I know ina dvance, it is not a good house for the animals, and thats why I see these buildings from two diffrent views.
Another question is, theera are so amny asian and south american rainforest buildings, but no only one with an african theme, why ? The african rainforst is full of interesting species....But I guess, there will never be a rainforest buildings with really good animal exhibits....
The most terrible Rainforst I've ever seen is the Tropcial World at Brookfield, some people call i t"Tragedy World". I don't like only indoor exhibits for big mammals, so for primates,tapirs,anteaters(Cleveland and Brookfield, both holdings are horrible)or pygmy hippos.
The Rainforst at Praha Zoo is nice, but is also ahs onyl indoor exhibits, a slike as most other Rainforst Buildings. I've herad much things about the Jungle World at Bronx, but I know ina dvance, it is not a good house for the animals, and thats why I see these buildings from two diffrent views.
Another question is, theera are so amny asian and south american rainforest buildings, but no only one with an african theme, why ? The african rainforst is full of interesting species....But I guess, there will never be a rainforest buildings with really good animal exhibits....
@Zebraduiker: The Bronx and Toronto zoos always spring to mind when someone mentions indoor exhibits, as each of those zoos are enormous and have 7-8 massive animal pavilions. However, I'd much rather prefer an all outdoor zoo such as San Diego were the animals actually get to experience fresh air...
Dan
Well-Known Member
I would agree with zebraduikers criticism. The space for big mammals in these "rainforest" buildings seem absolutely too small. Just look at that latest example, featured on Zoolex:
ZooLex Site Plan
I don´t envy the ocelots that have to spend their lives in such a small exhibit.
ZooLex Site Plan
I don´t envy the ocelots that have to spend their lives in such a small exhibit.
From what I can tell from the plans and photos, this may be the largest ocelot exhibit I've ever seen. Complex vertical space is very important for most cats, and this exhibit provides a lot of that. Has anyone on this site seen a larger ocelot exhibit anywhere?
Looking back at the photo of the ocelot exhibit in Buffalo it appears that the enclosure isn't very large on the ground, but is quite high and allows for some vertical exploring by the occupants. I seem to remember a couple of large-sized ocelot exhibits in both Memphis and Oklahoma City, as both of those zoos have better than average cat forests.
Dan
Well-Known Member
Well, if you look at the siteplan
ZooLex Site Plan
and consider the fact that the animal exhibit space is 825 square meters, how big can the ocelot part of it be? My estimation: about 60 square meters. I hope that there are ocelot enclosures much bigger than that.
But I do agree that apart from the size issue (and the fact that these cats never get to go outdoors) it looks like a well planned exhibit. Sure!
ZooLex Site Plan
and consider the fact that the animal exhibit space is 825 square meters, how big can the ocelot part of it be? My estimation: about 60 square meters. I hope that there are ocelot enclosures much bigger than that.
But I do agree that apart from the size issue (and the fact that these cats never get to go outdoors) it looks like a well planned exhibit. Sure!
snowleopard, its strange that this thread was forgotten. what are your thoughts on the list since you have been to more of the rain forests? I have been to 5 of the ten on the list. Lied Jungle is the best, I agree. Jungleworld is the next best, I agree. I've also seen Denver's Tropical Discovery, it has great detail if you only count the themed pyramid skylit areas, but the dark area reptiles and aquariums areas attached are standard. Franklin Parks Tropical Forest is a great visitor experience and very immersive. However, National Zoos Amazonia is not a top 10 contender for me and seems to have more education center space than actual exhibit space, and is more of an aviary and aquarium.
It looks like I will be going to Cleveland in a month, did you see the Rainforest there?
It looks like I will be going to Cleveland in a month, did you see the Rainforest there?
@geomorph: I enjoy it when threads are resurrected, and this one 8 months later casts a different perspective on the topic of rainforests for myself. I have been to 6 of the top 10 in the United States (according to "America's Best Zoos") and that basically means all of North America.
Canada and Mexico sadly lack having numerous top zoos. Having said that, the Montreal Biodome has an excellent rainforest habitat that is comparable to many of the top buildings in the U.S.
# 1 - Omaha's "Lied Jungle" - some small animal spaces but overall clearly number one. I love the dirt trail here.
# 2 - Bronx's "Jungleworld" - some small animal exhibits but this building has a wonderful atmosphere and the gibbon enclosure is superb.
# 3 - National Zoo's "Amazonia" - I enjoyed the education section, and really like this rainforest building as everything is expertly designed.
# 4 - Minnesota's "Tropics Trail" - suffers from once again having small spaces in several of the exhibits, and that strongly jars with this zoo's brilliant outdoor habitats.
# 5 - Denver Zoo's "Tropical Discovery" - has an impressive design, but nothing earth-shattering.
# 6 - Brookfield's "Tropic World" - worst gorilla exhibit in North America, and the enclosures are entirely too fake-looking and unrealistic.
The Central Park Zoo, amongst others, also has a decent but small rainforest building that can become easily overlooked.
Canada and Mexico sadly lack having numerous top zoos. Having said that, the Montreal Biodome has an excellent rainforest habitat that is comparable to many of the top buildings in the U.S.# 1 - Omaha's "Lied Jungle" - some small animal spaces but overall clearly number one. I love the dirt trail here.
# 2 - Bronx's "Jungleworld" - some small animal exhibits but this building has a wonderful atmosphere and the gibbon enclosure is superb.
# 3 - National Zoo's "Amazonia" - I enjoyed the education section, and really like this rainforest building as everything is expertly designed.
# 4 - Minnesota's "Tropics Trail" - suffers from once again having small spaces in several of the exhibits, and that strongly jars with this zoo's brilliant outdoor habitats.
# 5 - Denver Zoo's "Tropical Discovery" - has an impressive design, but nothing earth-shattering.
# 6 - Brookfield's "Tropic World" - worst gorilla exhibit in North America, and the enclosures are entirely too fake-looking and unrealistic.
The Central Park Zoo, amongst others, also has a decent but small rainforest building that can become easily overlooked.
Thanks, its interesting you liked Amazonia more than I did, I remember racing through it, so I might have missed some of its charms. I did feel its location was off the beaten path, oddly.
Montreal Biodome's Tropical Forest is really good, yes it contends with Denver as a grander immersive experience but a lesser species variety experience. I like the place very much. I'm a sucker for adaptive reuse of Olympic facilities!
I can not leave out the Dallas World Aquarium, it is more zoo than aquarium, with two seperate indoor rainforests that face each other, Orinoco Rainforest and Mundo Maya. They are very immersive and have some impressive exhibits and educational graphics. I would label the whole facility an indoor rainforest and rank it just below omaha and bronx and franklin park.
Should we count Woodland Parks Tropical Rainforest building as one? It approaches the spirit of an indoor rainforest, if not the height or volume.
San Francisco has an older indoor aviary and aquarium which is tropical themed, but it does not approach these others.
Montreal Biodome's Tropical Forest is really good, yes it contends with Denver as a grander immersive experience but a lesser species variety experience. I like the place very much. I'm a sucker for adaptive reuse of Olympic facilities!
I can not leave out the Dallas World Aquarium, it is more zoo than aquarium, with two seperate indoor rainforests that face each other, Orinoco Rainforest and Mundo Maya. They are very immersive and have some impressive exhibits and educational graphics. I would label the whole facility an indoor rainforest and rank it just below omaha and bronx and franklin park.
Should we count Woodland Parks Tropical Rainforest building as one? It approaches the spirit of an indoor rainforest, if not the height or volume.
San Francisco has an older indoor aviary and aquarium which is tropical themed, but it does not approach these others.
Buffalo just opened a South American rainforest that seems to have some nice elements--it looks to be about the size of Central Park's.
In San Francisco, the Academy of Sciences' new rainforest is 1000 times better than the decrepit old birdhouse at the SF Zoo.
Cleveland's barely counts, as it is a series of smaller exhibits with very little immersive public space.
Minnesota's is old but one of the biggest around, and has been gradually updated over the years.
Lincoln Park has an area in its Small Mammal/Reptile building that is okay as an immersion experience, but like most is primarily a series of smaller contained animal spaces in a tropical greenhouse setting.
I haven't been, but Sedgwick County has a medium sized Rainforest--any reports?
I agree that the Biodome was surprisingly good, especially given the building's original use
Hello across the bay Reduakari!
Silly of me to forget the Academy of Sciences, yes it has a nice new rainforest! We are supposed to refer to it as the Osher Rainforest. It mostly has very small caged reptile and amphibian exhibits that augment the science and conservation educational message of the exhibit, with the major exception of the wonderful Amazon flooded forest aquarium which occupies a large part of the floor space and can be viewed from a tunnel below it as well. The tunnel is part of the Steinhart Aquarium in the same facility. For me, I would rank the facility higher if it was more immersive and had a few larger habitats for some mammals. I love the very prominent architectural feeling of the dome in which it is housed, but compared with the other indoor rainforests I have seen, I can only rank this one above San Francisco's and Woodland Park's if we are counting the indoor exhibit area of Tropical Rainforest.
Reduakari, have you been to any of these others? Rank?
Silly of me to forget the Academy of Sciences, yes it has a nice new rainforest! We are supposed to refer to it as the Osher Rainforest. It mostly has very small caged reptile and amphibian exhibits that augment the science and conservation educational message of the exhibit, with the major exception of the wonderful Amazon flooded forest aquarium which occupies a large part of the floor space and can be viewed from a tunnel below it as well. The tunnel is part of the Steinhart Aquarium in the same facility. For me, I would rank the facility higher if it was more immersive and had a few larger habitats for some mammals. I love the very prominent architectural feeling of the dome in which it is housed, but compared with the other indoor rainforests I have seen, I can only rank this one above San Francisco's and Woodland Park's if we are counting the indoor exhibit area of Tropical Rainforest.
Reduakari, have you been to any of these others? Rank?
Of those I've visited:
1. Jungleworld
2. Lied Jungle
3. Biodome
4. Central Park
5. Denver
6. Minnesota
7. Amazonia
8. Dallas World Aquarium
9. Woodland Park
10. Cal Academy
11. National Aquarium in Baltimore
12. Como Zoo
13. North Carolina Zoo (mostly an aviary)
14. Tropic World (ugh, but great animals)
15. Cleveland
16. Franklin Park (a 1975 design that finally opened in 1992)
Zurich's Masoala and Burger's Bush in Europe are outstanding, and the Indonesian exhibit at Prague is very good as well. The Eden project in Cornwall lacks animals but is stunning.
Would like to see (US):
Sedgwick County
Buffalo
Tulsa
Moody Gardens
Zooplantman
Well-Known Member
Moody Gardens is a world famous medical and rehab center in Texas (on Galveston Island). They have (had) a rather good rain forest building (don't ask why, they have an IMAX theater and other amenities!). It gotbadly damaged in the hurricanes two years ago. I don't know the current status of the place.
Rainforest Pyramid® | Rainforest Animals | Moody Gardens Rainforest Exhibit | Asian - African - American Rainforest
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Yep, I've been there twice, including last year. It's basically a big vacation complex, with all kinds of family activities. They have a big Rain Forest pyramid, a very nice Aquarium pyramid building, a special exhibitition building (had a big Titantic exhibit there last year), a big 3D movie theater, a 4D movie ride, and outside there's a steamboat ride, plus other things I can't remember. The Rain Forest pyramid is pretty good, but it wouldn't crack our Top 10 zoo RF exhibits. I was even more impressed with their Aquarium -- very nice penguin exhibit, shark tube, etc.