Coming to America
- Thread starter zooman
- Start date
Sunday night in Columbus ,
Arrived in Cleveland Ohio Friday night, 26 hours after leaving Melbourne Australia. A long journey made a little easier by the look of bewilderment from any American that l met along the way who would ask where l was heading, Cleveland!!
As it seems only us here on zoochat would think it was perfectly reasonable to come to the USA and plan to visit 20 zoos in 30 days l do not always elaborate as to why l am coming to the US. Cleveland is a hub for United and a great state to start a zoo tour in.
Unfourtunatley, I think l will have to wait until home to post pictures. It was my intention to post pictures as l go just can't figure out to post them from my IPad.
What l look for when at a Zoo
A-Enclosures that are cost effective to build and enrich the general public.
B-Great enclosures.
C-Animals l have never seen before
Cleveland Zoo day1
A-Parakeet landing, the public loved this, why don't more zoos do this? As it also was a great little money earner $1 per feed.
A-Giraffe feeding, I know allot of zoos do this but the set up here was very well done l thought.
A-The tents and general set up of this overnight area.
C-Saw my first Fossa, where are some great exhibits for this animal as Cleveland exhibit was not
ABC-Wolf and beavers, watching a beaver swim fantastic, the wolver were also very active 0.6 and apparently one of the pack was challenging for a higher position.
Comment
The primate and cat house is very outdated and the new Elephant crossing is a great concept with the public loveing the concept however the landscaping was really messy and l think amateurish a shame given how much it would have cost to build!
Detroit Zoo Day 2
A-Otters smallish exhibit however 3 babies 2.1 made for a very active exhibit.
B-Arctic ring of life WOW! And the polar bears were very active some great pics to come.
ABC-Wolf and beavers, watching a beaver swim fantastic, the wolver were also very active 0.6 and apparently one of the pack was challenging for a higher position.
Comment
I was expecting more, 20 years since my last visit, and a limitle disappointed in the lack of primates however the 3.0 Gorillas seemed very well looked after what a huge space for them!
Toledo Zoo day 2
B-Hippo enclosure had never seen hippos in a enclosure with underwater view fantastic! Wondering just how much the filtration cost? Does it use all the solar energy generated by the solar panels?
Comment,
A great little zoo.
The new Elephant enclosure still looks small and strangely very high barriers! The new baby 1.0 IVF (another male
previous birth from this cow 9 years ago also a 1.0) is being kept separate from the other elephants for his protection. Seems a shame that they don't get the enrichment and social experiance opportunity of having contact with him. Keepers assured me that there was plenty of zoos in the US willing to house all these males when necessary??
Arrived in Cleveland Ohio Friday night, 26 hours after leaving Melbourne Australia. A long journey made a little easier by the look of bewilderment from any American that l met along the way who would ask where l was heading, Cleveland!!
As it seems only us here on zoochat would think it was perfectly reasonable to come to the USA and plan to visit 20 zoos in 30 days l do not always elaborate as to why l am coming to the US. Cleveland is a hub for United and a great state to start a zoo tour in.
Unfourtunatley, I think l will have to wait until home to post pictures. It was my intention to post pictures as l go just can't figure out to post them from my IPad.
What l look for when at a Zoo
A-Enclosures that are cost effective to build and enrich the general public.
B-Great enclosures.
C-Animals l have never seen before
Cleveland Zoo day1
A-Parakeet landing, the public loved this, why don't more zoos do this? As it also was a great little money earner $1 per feed.
A-Giraffe feeding, I know allot of zoos do this but the set up here was very well done l thought.
A-The tents and general set up of this overnight area.
C-Saw my first Fossa, where are some great exhibits for this animal as Cleveland exhibit was not
ABC-Wolf and beavers, watching a beaver swim fantastic, the wolver were also very active 0.6 and apparently one of the pack was challenging for a higher position.
Comment
The primate and cat house is very outdated and the new Elephant crossing is a great concept with the public loveing the concept however the landscaping was really messy and l think amateurish a shame given how much it would have cost to build!
Detroit Zoo Day 2
A-Otters smallish exhibit however 3 babies 2.1 made for a very active exhibit.
B-Arctic ring of life WOW! And the polar bears were very active some great pics to come.
ABC-Wolf and beavers, watching a beaver swim fantastic, the wolver were also very active 0.6 and apparently one of the pack was challenging for a higher position.
Comment
I was expecting more, 20 years since my last visit, and a limitle disappointed in the lack of primates however the 3.0 Gorillas seemed very well looked after what a huge space for them!
Toledo Zoo day 2
B-Hippo enclosure had never seen hippos in a enclosure with underwater view fantastic! Wondering just how much the filtration cost? Does it use all the solar energy generated by the solar panels?
Comment,
A great little zoo.
The new Elephant enclosure still looks small and strangely very high barriers! The new baby 1.0 IVF (another male
previous birth from this cow 9 years ago also a 1.0) is being kept separate from the other elephants for his protection. Seems a shame that they don't get the enrichment and social experiance opportunity of having contact with him. Keepers assured me that there was plenty of zoos in the US willing to house all these males when necessary??
Thanks for the reviews zooman. I'm looking forward to hearing about your continuing adventures on your trip.
Most (all?) of the new elephant exhibits being built have facilities for keeping more than one bull.
If you decide that you want to visit the LA Zoo on your swing through California please let the LA Zoochat community know.
Happy travels.
Maybe someone in San Francisco can give more information, but if they do a fireworks display in the bay I'm sure the Golden Gate Bridge would be an amazing backdrop. I've never traveled anywhere on the 4th as it is like Christmas with my family and we stay in my little hometown. I will say that if you're driving at night watch for drunks.
Columbus Zoo
A- Animal encounters, there was allot of zoo staff walking around with various animals in there hands, l know many zoos do this however Coumbus seem to have perfected this. I even patted a flamingo!
A- Walk through aviaries one dedicated to song birds (was the zoo playing a recording of the birds?) another aviary for pheasants.
B- Of corse the outdoor Gorilla exhibit and the brilliant outdoor bonobo exhibit WOW, do the rotate the bonobos through this? Seemed to be allot of Bonobos at the zoo.
Comment A good zoo
I observed Oliver a beautiful silverback ( l first met at Gorilla Haven) he is deaf and l know Jane the previous shared owner of GH had hoped to see Oliver with his own troop.
Mumbah (a long standing silverback at Columbus who apparently never had any offspring in the US however he raised 17 orphan gorillas) passed away and this has allowed Oliver to be introduced to two females Kumberah and Nial.
Amazingly I observed Oliver mating with Kumberah 3 times over 1.5 hours they had only been together 2-3 weeks. It was amazing as Oliver had been on his own for a long time and also being deaf the chances of him being in this situation were very slim! The two females are of course on contraception.
It was really interesting as Oliver stayed in the one spot with Kumberah approaching him very timidly but she did initiate every interaction and Oliver was very gentle. He really is an amazing Gorilla! Got to say l shed a few tears for him today.
Polar bear enclosure, great to see the majority of the area dirt and grass and not concrete, that must get very hot in summer! However the under water viewing was hugely disappointing after being spoilt. By Detroit!
A- Animal encounters, there was allot of zoo staff walking around with various animals in there hands, l know many zoos do this however Coumbus seem to have perfected this. I even patted a flamingo!
A- Walk through aviaries one dedicated to song birds (was the zoo playing a recording of the birds?) another aviary for pheasants.
B- Of corse the outdoor Gorilla exhibit and the brilliant outdoor bonobo exhibit WOW, do the rotate the bonobos through this? Seemed to be allot of Bonobos at the zoo.
Comment A good zoo
I observed Oliver a beautiful silverback ( l first met at Gorilla Haven) he is deaf and l know Jane the previous shared owner of GH had hoped to see Oliver with his own troop.
Mumbah (a long standing silverback at Columbus who apparently never had any offspring in the US however he raised 17 orphan gorillas) passed away and this has allowed Oliver to be introduced to two females Kumberah and Nial.
Amazingly I observed Oliver mating with Kumberah 3 times over 1.5 hours they had only been together 2-3 weeks. It was amazing as Oliver had been on his own for a long time and also being deaf the chances of him being in this situation were very slim! The two females are of course on contraception.
It was really interesting as Oliver stayed in the one spot with Kumberah approaching him very timidly but she did initiate every interaction and Oliver was very gentle. He really is an amazing Gorilla! Got to say l shed a few tears for him today.
Polar bear enclosure, great to see the majority of the area dirt and grass and not concrete, that must get very hot in summer! However the under water viewing was hugely disappointing after being spoilt. By Detroit!
Did you not go to (or planning on going to) Brookfield Zoo. Why if not. And if you have any time I have gone to this zoo for just like two hours and seen most exhibits (if you like taking lots of time to view animals then the zoo might take over a day. And if you go for a short time you an just go to Great Bear Wilderness and Habitat Africa which has a baby aardvark and a one or two year old okapi. Or you might even be able to go to Peoria Zoo which you would have to go a little north if you are driving from indianapolis to st. louis it is a very small zoo that would not take more than 3 hours.
Hi Tropicworld,
Peoria zoo may check it out, have just arrived in Indianapolis and may have time to go to Chicago on Thursday.
I have been to Brookfeild zoo before but it was in winter and cold and wet, so it would be interesting to make the comparison.
Peoria zoo may check it out, have just arrived in Indianapolis and may have time to go to Chicago on Thursday.
I have been to Brookfeild zoo before but it was in winter and cold and wet, so it would be interesting to make the comparison.
Cincinnati Zoo
A-in the bird house a couple of great aviaries, one for finches with a black background and a water bird aviary with a glass front that water birds and a jet of water into the pool and the birds were interacting with the random jets of water.
A-Muellers Gibbon exhibit could have been bigger, however great plantings and the gibbons seemed very close.
Comment, some good exhibits also unfortunately some really bad exhibits particularly the al indoor nocturnal cat and dog exhibits some of the worst l have ever seen.
Sumatran rhino, the zoo is very excited as of the 3 Sumatran rhino births 2.1. One of the males has been returned to Sumatra and a female that has previously miscarried twice is now due to give birth in the next 30 days.
The zoo is hoping to bring in some sperm to IVF the female born at ciny zoo. However the government agency involved in Sumatra has concerned in Sumatran and Javan genetics,,,,
The gorilla feeding time had something l had not seen before. Towards the end of the presentation a orange pole about 1mt long was raised in the air and from that cue, a female gorilla climbed to the highest point of the exhibit and back down again and rewarded with fruit. Apparently a lot of work went into training! Mostly achieved with a laser light. I am sure this would not work with all Gorillas but the concept could be used to do some very interesting presentations.
A-in the bird house a couple of great aviaries, one for finches with a black background and a water bird aviary with a glass front that water birds and a jet of water into the pool and the birds were interacting with the random jets of water.
A-Muellers Gibbon exhibit could have been bigger, however great plantings and the gibbons seemed very close.
Comment, some good exhibits also unfortunately some really bad exhibits particularly the al indoor nocturnal cat and dog exhibits some of the worst l have ever seen.
Sumatran rhino, the zoo is very excited as of the 3 Sumatran rhino births 2.1. One of the males has been returned to Sumatra and a female that has previously miscarried twice is now due to give birth in the next 30 days.
The zoo is hoping to bring in some sperm to IVF the female born at ciny zoo. However the government agency involved in Sumatra has concerned in Sumatran and Javan genetics,,,,
The gorilla feeding time had something l had not seen before. Towards the end of the presentation a orange pole about 1mt long was raised in the air and from that cue, a female gorilla climbed to the highest point of the exhibit and back down again and rewarded with fruit. Apparently a lot of work went into training! Mostly achieved with a laser light. I am sure this would not work with all Gorillas but the concept could be used to do some very interesting presentations.
Are you talking about Cincinnati? I was not a fan of the Reptile House, Cat House, Nocturnal House or bear grottoes on my 2008 visit, although the animal collection is superb, the Insectarium is terrific, seeing Sumatran rhinos was brilliant, and Jungle Trails is the best exhibit complex at the zoo. I know that you are a fan of gorillas, but I can list 20 American zoos with gorilla exhibits that are bigger and arguably better (in my opinion).
An excerpt from my 6-page 2008 review:
The Cincinnati Zoo has an amazing collection of animals, surely in North America's top 5 in terms of diversity and rarity. Where else can one find orangutans, bonobos, gorillas and 4 different species of gibbon all in the same zoo? Those 7 species of ape are surpassed by the 18 species of felines, including white lions, white tigers and 15 different small cats. Then there are manatees, okapi and naturally the world famous and quite stunning Sumatran rhinos. Having a fantastic collection of rare animals is all well and good, but when they are mainly in antiquated exhibits it doesn't equal a good review from me. There were some excellent habitats dotted around the zoo grounds, but too many old ones that should be improved.
Hi snowleopard yes meant Cincinnati zoo, (auto spel check)
Definitely agree with your review, and seriously hoping to see some great Gorilla exhbits. From your recommendation l am actually heading south from Kansas City.
Have just been to Indianapolis zoo thought the African plains area great, the dolphin dome looks good however the sound vibrations for the dolphins l fear could be very disturbing not unlike the noise of all the waterfalls in Cinncinati gorilla exhibit.
Definitely agree with your review, and seriously hoping to see some great Gorilla exhbits. From your recommendation l am actually heading south from Kansas City.
Have just been to Indianapolis zoo thought the African plains area great, the dolphin dome looks good however the sound vibrations for the dolphins l fear could be very disturbing not unlike the noise of all the waterfalls in Cinncinati gorilla exhibit.
Snowleopard,
I think you will be pleasantly surprised on your ext visit to Toledo Zoo, although a small zoo l thought it was very good and deserved to be much higher in your ranking, maybe allot of these good enclosures have opened since your lat visit in 2008.
I think you will be pleasantly surprised on your ext visit to Toledo Zoo, although a small zoo l thought it was very good and deserved to be much higher in your ranking, maybe allot of these good enclosures have opened since your lat visit in 2008.
Indianapolis zoo,
A- budgerigar walk through fantastic 400 birds allot of interaction.
A- cheetah run, a interactive area where people can run along a short track trying to out do a cheetah time line. Kids lived it and l think the zoo was charging $1 a go with extra with a photo!
B- African plains exhibit, very well done all except for primate exhibit.
Comment, the dolphin dome at first seemed very clever, however after standing there quietly as the signs request.... The amount of people who stomped around or spoke loudly to hear there echo was almost 50%.
Great to see a walrus can a walrus look lonely because he/ she did.
Elephant patting, I will post pictures when l get home. Watched a 10 minute elephant presentation keeper talking as they washed a adult cow. After the talk the elephant was positioned against a low rope barrier and app 200 people moved past and patted her.
A- budgerigar walk through fantastic 400 birds allot of interaction.
A- cheetah run, a interactive area where people can run along a short track trying to out do a cheetah time line. Kids lived it and l think the zoo was charging $1 a go with extra with a photo!
B- African plains exhibit, very well done all except for primate exhibit.
Comment, the dolphin dome at first seemed very clever, however after standing there quietly as the signs request.... The amount of people who stomped around or spoke loudly to hear there echo was almost 50%.
Great to see a walrus can a walrus look lonely because he/ she did.
Elephant patting, I will post pictures when l get home. Watched a 10 minute elephant presentation keeper talking as they washed a adult cow. After the talk the elephant was positioned against a low rope barrier and app 200 people moved past and patted her.
St Louis Zoo,
B - the hippo enclosure with underwater viewing and 4 very active hippos brilliant !
B - penguin exhibit l will post pictures soon it was also very very good. With the public within arms ach of penguins and puffins, apparently designed in house!
C - Sifaka had seen these at two other zoos but they were sleeping both times. At St Lous they are in a very small glass fronted enclosure, however there was a mother and a 6 month Old in with a couple of other adults. It was amazing to watch how agile and how they jump.
Comment, easy to see why many call this the best zoo in the USA did not want t leave.
I think they have the best orang enclosure l have ever seen, although the orangs did spend most of thre time on the ground.
Great bachelor gorilla group and great enclosure.
After speaking with several staff and volunteers it seems tat the St Louis zoo really have a substantial amount of funds in trust that allows for the payment of certain staff and te ongoing development of new exhibits from the interest on tese funds. Will do some research in time on just how the St Louis zoo manages to connect so successfully with corporations, trusts and individuals in securing financial support.
The zoo was actually closing early te ay l was there as they were having a ere bi yearly dinner diner at te zoo, literally 100's of tables of 10 were be set up around the zoo for a dinner event.
B - the hippo enclosure with underwater viewing and 4 very active hippos brilliant !
B - penguin exhibit l will post pictures soon it was also very very good. With the public within arms ach of penguins and puffins, apparently designed in house!
C - Sifaka had seen these at two other zoos but they were sleeping both times. At St Lous they are in a very small glass fronted enclosure, however there was a mother and a 6 month Old in with a couple of other adults. It was amazing to watch how agile and how they jump.
Comment, easy to see why many call this the best zoo in the USA did not want t leave.
I think they have the best orang enclosure l have ever seen, although the orangs did spend most of thre time on the ground.
Great bachelor gorilla group and great enclosure.
After speaking with several staff and volunteers it seems tat the St Louis zoo really have a substantial amount of funds in trust that allows for the payment of certain staff and te ongoing development of new exhibits from the interest on tese funds. Will do some research in time on just how the St Louis zoo manages to connect so successfully with corporations, trusts and individuals in securing financial support.
The zoo was actually closing early te ay l was there as they were having a ere bi yearly dinner diner at te zoo, literally 100's of tables of 10 were be set up around the zoo for a dinner event.
Kansas City Zoo
B-the chimp enclosure WOW, only saw two chimps and waited and waited on two occasions and no sign of the others.
B- Cheetah run, a god size enclosure with 3 fee cheetahs and the lure on the run used to great effect, this is as yet not in Australia i will definitely push for it to be added when l return as cost effective and great for the public.
Comment
Met up with KC Zoo fan at the gate and was given a fantastic and informative tour of the zoo and learnt allot about the local birds and the zoo birds along the way!
Had a great time with KC and Very grateful to be given a tour of this zoo as it is huge!
KC Zoo fan tells me that a new tax has been passed and the funds will be used to finance the zoo and construction of we exhibits. With some more exhibits this zoo will in time become a great zoo, as many would say the space between exhibits can be huge and reduces the enjoyment of the zoo.
B-the chimp enclosure WOW, only saw two chimps and waited and waited on two occasions and no sign of the others.
B- Cheetah run, a god size enclosure with 3 fee cheetahs and the lure on the run used to great effect, this is as yet not in Australia i will definitely push for it to be added when l return as cost effective and great for the public.
Comment
Met up with KC Zoo fan at the gate and was given a fantastic and informative tour of the zoo and learnt allot about the local birds and the zoo birds along the way!
Had a great time with KC and Very grateful to be given a tour of this zoo as it is huge!
KC Zoo fan tells me that a new tax has been passed and the funds will be used to finance the zoo and construction of we exhibits. With some more exhibits this zoo will in time become a great zoo, as many would say the space between exhibits can be huge and reduces the enjoyment of the zoo.