San Diego still has many of these grotto exhibits. Other zoos are routinely booed here for having outdated exhibits like this.
Is it acceptable that a zoo that most of us consider one of the great zoos is still riddled with these exhibits? Are these exhibits acceptably functional for the inhabitants even though they are aesthetically unattractive?
Does it seem likely that San Diego will rip these exhibits out in the foreseeable future? They have steadily removed many of their outdated exhibits, but it seems that there is still much work to do.
Folks complain about Omaha (not mentioning any names Mr. David Brown) and while Bear Canyon and Cat Complex are awful the vast majority of the rest of the zoo is excellent. San Diego arguably has a higher quantity of disappointing exhibits, with many grottoes and metal cages all over the place yet the collection is amazing and there are still some stellar habitats. Bronx has a fantastic array of top-notch exhibits and a wonderful collection but it does not have as bright a future as San Diego and Omaha plus the opening hours are too short and many exhibits shut down in the winter. Omaha gets nasty winters but with all of the pavilions most of the animals are still on show year-round. One could debate the merits of what some folks think are America's top 3 zoos...but then of course there is Columbus and its massive African addition in 2014, Saint Louis, Sedgwick County, Woodland Park, Miami, etc.
Thanks for the news update. Do you have any idea or speculation of what they're going to replace it with? Does "Africa Rocks" theme indicate maybe a large scale savanna habitat for hoof stock and other savanna species?
San Diego Zoo was full of these exhibits 30-40 years ago, and even 20 years ago these kind of exhibit was acceptable. It's only been in the last 20 or so years that we've had a major turnaround in our way of thinking and what we consider acceptable.
As most of you know the construction of new exhibits is generally a multi-million dollar affair that requires alot of planning, architects drawings, demolition of the old exhibits, surveying construction etc etc. And for a zoo as large as San Diego to upgrade the entire zoo is very slow process. It has to be done a bit at a time, when funds allow. And of course, they have to run the zoo as normal.
I haven't been to San Diego since 1992, and they were doing some nice exhibits at the time. And I'm guessing a lot of the bad old exhibits I remember from that time (like the primate cells close to the entrance) have gone and been replaced by something nicer.
As long as the zoo has plans to move forward (and Ituri says it does, then I think we shouldn't complain and just let them get on with it.
Thanks for the news update. Do you have any idea or speculation of what they're going to replace it with? Does "Africa Rocks" theme indicate maybe a large scale savanna habitat for hoof stock and other savanna species?
They've received donations from private supporters already on it. Africa Rocks probably entails Africa with a lot of rock-work (from my impression, a semi-desert sort of theme/loose extension of the kopje). They have mentioned trying to get African Black-footed penguins before, and I speculate they may do something with the striped hyena, warthog, and African painted dogs in the area.
It is my understanding that any new construction must be compliant with Americans With Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines (ADAAG). The steepness of that area might pose significant problems.
Also, the Kiwi Trail will be given the same treatment as the path to the north of the Owens Aviary (ie series of elevated ramps) to make it ADA compliant.
Also there is mention of an African penguin exhibit, not sure if this will be part of Africa Rocks or if it will be elsewhere.
San Diego Zoo: Open Australian Outback in 2013 with a new home for koalas and bring back the Tasmanian Devil; start if not complete Africa Rocks in Cat and Dog Canyon and introduce South African penguins; ramp up plans for the zoo’s centennial in 2016.
Didn't know that one! Its a very good exhibit, and right at the entrance too. I found it weird though that all the animals are in the back of the zoo though.
