ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
I might agree with you, as I'm talking about the present zoos. But then again, by then Fort Worth "might" have the nation's #1 reptile exhibit with its new MOLA opening up.
jbnbsn99's Texas Zoos
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I might agree with you, as I'm talking about the present zoos. But then again, by then Fort Worth "might" have the nation's #1 reptile exhibit with its new MOLA opening up.
Zoogoer2000
Well-Known Member
the jungle walkthrough area
I still think I would rather see a 11 acre savanna containing one of the most naturalistic elephant exhibits in the nation as well as great new habitats for some of the other most popular animals (giraffes, lions, etc.). Allen since you base exhibits off of what the public would like I would think you would rate Dallas higher thsn FW once both zoos open their planned exhibits as African animals tend to be much more popular to visitors than reptiles. I myself am not a big reptile fan, and thus I would much rather see Giants of the Savanna instead of MOLA.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
You're probably right. This "Giants of the Savanna", by the way, will be an extension of their already-excellent "Wilds of Africa". If these exhibits are eventually merged as one, the new Wilds of Africa could be a strong contender for #1 exhibit in the nation! (that is, if our host here can keep the excellent monorail tour going)
Zoogoer2000
Well-Known Member
I don't think there is a true "best zoo"
Everyone likes different things
An example that might realte to this is if your a big reptile fan, your most likely going to think of Fort Worth as the motherload
If your an African junkie, you'll be pleased with Dallas, Kansas City, SDWAP, DAK, Toronto, Caldwell, etc.
Maybe your desire lies in the exhibits design, you'd be pleased by San Diego (mostly), Bronx, Memphis, Omaha and etc.
It just has to do with your personal intrests
Im not a huge reptile fan but I am a huge african buff so the second list would be my piece of cake
Everyone likes different things
An example that might realte to this is if your a big reptile fan, your most likely going to think of Fort Worth as the motherload
If your an African junkie, you'll be pleased with Dallas, Kansas City, SDWAP, DAK, Toronto, Caldwell, etc.
Maybe your desire lies in the exhibits design, you'd be pleased by San Diego (mostly), Bronx, Memphis, Omaha and etc.
It just has to do with your personal intrests
Im not a huge reptile fan but I am a huge african buff so the second list would be my piece of cake
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Whoa, lots for me to reply to.
@snowleopard - Better pics of San Antonio are coming. I have over 500 to upload, and I know that you above all people here know how long that takes. The Africa Live section is great as are a few other areas, but the zoo just has a severe geography problem. Yes Dallas, Tyler, and Waco for true zoo lovers are the trifecta, add Fossil Rim (am still waiting to do a review of that place) and the Dallas World Aquarium in there and you've got a week of zoological goodness.
Let me make the next statement very clear. I like the Fort Worth Zoo, I really do. There are some oddities, but what zoo doesn't have those. I am excited about the MOLA and I think it will be great. Can a innovative reptile house compare in the public's view to an expansive Savanna? Probably not. With the new changes in Dallas expect things to get a lot better and very quickly. I hear new rumors every week about new and exciting things. I will be the first one to admit though that some of the Dallas exhibits are not that great, give it some time, new management is here.
@ANyhuis - I am going out on a limb here. I have read some of your previous posts about Texas zoos and you have stated that you haven't been to this part of Texas in over 10 years which would mean that you haven't actually ever been to Texas Wild! which opened up in 2001. By no means am I trying to insinuate anything here at all, just an observation.
On to the Giants of the Savanna. I have studied the plans as extensively as possible, and have been watching the construction on a daily basis. I can honestly say that I teared up a little when I realized what a great exhibit this will be. I am excited and ecstatic about it. In preparation for the opening the whole of the Wilds of Africa is scheduled for a makeover so expect some unexpected animals to show up in the Spring (there's one that I am very excited about, but can't really confirm until I see them). Yes the whole Savanna area will be merged with the existing WOA, think of it as WOA phase 2 (which it is). It will basically be a second nature trail. One will take you through the forest while the other takes you through the savanna. The monorail takes care of the rest, and yes it will still be operating, maybe in a larger capacity now (fingers crossed).
What I want to see now in Texas is a great Asian exhibit. No one has done that yet. Fort Worth has the Tiger and Rhino areas, and that's nice, but I want to see something more extensive. Dallas, Caldwell, Cameron Park, and now Houston and San Antonio are all focusing on African animals, and not that there is anything wrong with that. The Texas climate suits African animals here better than most places. Maybe someday we'll get a great Asian exhibit.
@snowleopard - Better pics of San Antonio are coming. I have over 500 to upload, and I know that you above all people here know how long that takes. The Africa Live section is great as are a few other areas, but the zoo just has a severe geography problem. Yes Dallas, Tyler, and Waco for true zoo lovers are the trifecta, add Fossil Rim (am still waiting to do a review of that place) and the Dallas World Aquarium in there and you've got a week of zoological goodness.
Let me make the next statement very clear. I like the Fort Worth Zoo, I really do. There are some oddities, but what zoo doesn't have those. I am excited about the MOLA and I think it will be great. Can a innovative reptile house compare in the public's view to an expansive Savanna? Probably not. With the new changes in Dallas expect things to get a lot better and very quickly. I hear new rumors every week about new and exciting things. I will be the first one to admit though that some of the Dallas exhibits are not that great, give it some time, new management is here.
@ANyhuis - I am going out on a limb here. I have read some of your previous posts about Texas zoos and you have stated that you haven't been to this part of Texas in over 10 years which would mean that you haven't actually ever been to Texas Wild! which opened up in 2001. By no means am I trying to insinuate anything here at all, just an observation.
On to the Giants of the Savanna. I have studied the plans as extensively as possible, and have been watching the construction on a daily basis. I can honestly say that I teared up a little when I realized what a great exhibit this will be. I am excited and ecstatic about it. In preparation for the opening the whole of the Wilds of Africa is scheduled for a makeover so expect some unexpected animals to show up in the Spring (there's one that I am very excited about, but can't really confirm until I see them). Yes the whole Savanna area will be merged with the existing WOA, think of it as WOA phase 2 (which it is). It will basically be a second nature trail. One will take you through the forest while the other takes you through the savanna. The monorail takes care of the rest, and yes it will still be operating, maybe in a larger capacity now (fingers crossed).
What I want to see now in Texas is a great Asian exhibit. No one has done that yet. Fort Worth has the Tiger and Rhino areas, and that's nice, but I want to see something more extensive. Dallas, Caldwell, Cameron Park, and now Houston and San Antonio are all focusing on African animals, and not that there is anything wrong with that. The Texas climate suits African animals here better than most places. Maybe someday we'll get a great Asian exhibit.
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jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Actually Dallas and Fort Worth tend to compete in the reptile department. It varies back and forth as to who has the bigger collection. I couldn't tell you who does either, both are massive. To give you an idea, I have never seen 80% of Dallas' reptiles.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
White Faced Saki, Pied Tamarins, Golden Lion Tamarins, Golden Headed Lion Tamarins, Black Handed Spider Monkeys, White Throated Capucins, and I think Cotton Top Tamarins, but as I've seen those at every single zoo I've been to it might be a phantom monkey which sounds like a good name for a comic book character.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
You are correct that I haven't been to the DFW area in a decade, but I did see a very detailed video (from my coauthor) of Texas Wild! and I was tremendously impressed. As I've said many times, I saw an extremely well done cultural exhibits that screams "Come see me!" to all of those families on the highway, looking for a fun place to take their kids. For anyone who says, "You can't evaluate based on a video", I would counter that almost everyone here is willing to harshly criticize exhibits just based on still photographs, which are much less descriptive.
Secondly, I saw the predecessor of TW -- "Texas!" and I was very, very impressed with it! Just a question: Do you have any idea why the Fort Worth folks rebuilt this exhibit? Was there something wrong with it?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
I figured it was probably a video as you had mentioned it for several other zoos. Honestly I don't know exactly why the area was rebuilt. I personally never saw the old Texas exhibit so I don't really know how to compare the two. I guess I could ask Gregg Hudson, but I think he is a little busy with other things right now.
On a different note, I was reading through a copy of the Dallas Zoo history today while waiting for an after hours even and your name and first book popped up in it saying how high you ranked Wilds of Africa. Never know where that will appear.
On a different note, I was reading through a copy of the Dallas Zoo history today while waiting for an after hours even and your name and first book popped up in it saying how high you ranked Wilds of Africa. Never know where that will appear.
ANyhuis
Well-Known Member
Yes, in my 1994 book I rated your "Wilds of Africa" the #2 zoo exhibit in the nation! Only Omaha's Lied Jungle was rated higher. These 2 are among only 5 exhibits from my 1994 list that made it again on our 2008 book's list. So it's a tribute to WOA's continued excellence to make it in both books.
Thanks. Are any species going in with the elephants that you know of?
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
There will be the possibility of all of them in there except for the carnivores and pigs. Whether it will work or not I have no clue.
jbnbsn99
Well-Known Member
Hippos and Rhinos had to be scratched from the original plan due to the necessity of needing a bigger area for elephants.
And another 2 species bite the dust. So much for zoos with representative collections of animals. Elephant expansion at the expense of rhinos and hippos ... truly mind boggling.
This especially so since no breeding is envisaged (or is it now)????
Buckeye092
Well-Known Member
And another 2 species bite the dust. So much for zoos with representative collections of animals. Elephant expansion at the expense of rhinos and hippos ... truly mind boggling.
This especially so since no breeding is envisaged (or is it now)????
Dallas does plan to breed their elephants and right now I would be more concerned about the US captive pop of elephants - not Hippos or Black and White Rhinos. Well .... maybe White rhinos
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