If we believe all the criticisms of every exhibit, than no exhibit is good. Everyone likes different exhibits for different things. I personally didn't think there was much to criticize about Congo, but apparently there is, as Dan and Zebraduiker have done here.
From the site plan of Congo, the Okapi exhibit is not much smaller than the gorilla habitats which are both a whopping 28000 and 22000 square feet. For those unfamiliar with gorilla exhibits, those are both huge. From that I would guess the Okapi exhibit to be around a half-acre, around 20,000- 21,000 square feet, which is not small at all for really any exhibit except maybe an elephant or a polar bear.
Well... I have expressed an interest in the arguments of Zebraduiker´s and I am not sure that you really adress them in your recent post.
I am interested in opinions on the indoor quarters - are they good or bad? Facts, numbers and photos? I have no opionion of my own - I am just asking.
And yes... I would also appreciate comments on this quotation of Zebraduiker:
"A great exhibit for indian rhinos, no question, but they have 7, and they can use it just for one animal at the same time ! The same for okapis, theyy have 5, and use the little exhibit, which is nice LOOKING, but animals don'tc are about NICE LOOKING exhibits, but they can use the yard just for one animal."
Did you not see zooplantman's post about the off-exhibit indoor area? It is much better than what guests can see, and said to be the #1 gorilla holding. Zebraduiker was only commenting on what guests can see, as I don't believe they knew about the off-exhibit holding.
From the site plan of Congo, the Okapi exhibit is not much smaller than the gorilla habitats which are both a whopping 28000 and 22000 square feet. For those unfamiliar with gorilla exhibits, those are both huge. From that I would guess the Okapi exhibit to be around a half-acre, around 20,000- 21,000 square feet, which is not small at all for really any exhibit except maybe an elephant or a polar bear.
Sorry, but doesn't Bronx have 20 odd gorillas? That's half an acre and it's a tiny amount of space for that number of animals, even if it's 2 enclosures. Bearing in mind how much of that space is taken up by hotwired plants...
Sorry, but doesn't Bronx have 20 odd gorillas? That's half an acre and it's a tiny amount of space for that number of animals, even if it's 2 enclosures. Bearing in mind how much of that space is taken up by hotwired plants...
Sorry, but doesn't Bronx have 20 odd gorillas? That's half an acre and it's a tiny amount of space for that number of animals, even if it's 2 enclosures. Bearing in mind how much of that space is taken up by hotwired plants...
But gorillas thrive in a family group, so thus that is awesome that they have 20 gorillas. Gorillas families don't divide the space up amongst themselves, so its not a tiny amount of space. I don't understand why people always buy the animals per acre argument. I can see if the animals are territorial, but when they are not it doesn't make sense. I highly doubt the hot-wire plants take up a significant amount of square-footage.
Can someone please tell me, why do people always have to criticize excellent exhibits? Is there any exhibit out there immune to criticism from all viewpoints? Even this enclosure, which obviously from the photo is a brilliant, almost perfect recreation of a Central African Rain forest. In this exhibit the gorillas are thriving living in a true family group, acting as wild gorillas do.
But gorillas thrive in a family group, so thus that is awesome that they have 20 gorillas. Gorillas families don't divide the space up amongst themselves, so its not a tiny amount of space. I don't understand why people always buy the animals per acre argument. I can see if the animals are territorial, but when they are not it doesn't make sense. I highly doubt the hot-wire plants take up a significant amount of square-footage.
Can someone please tell me, why do people always have to criticize excellent exhibits? Is there any exhibit out there immune to criticism from all viewpoints? Even this enclosure, which obviously from the photo is a brilliant, almost perfect recreation of a Central African Rain forest. In this exhibit the gorillas are thriving living in a true family group, acting as wild gorillas do.
I don't believe space is everything, I'm the first to say that, but I just don't think that's a very big area. They do need a decent amount of space.
And people will always criticise as there's always room for improvement.
No one but industry insiders really know what the indoor dayrooms look like, but I have heard from more than one ZooChatter who has been behind the scenes that the indoor gorilla holding area is one of if not the largest around. The outdoor area is the best on the planet, and yet there is criticism of this? Bizarre. If people are criticizing Congo Gorilla Forest and its superb exhibits, countless births and more dollars for conservation than any other zoo planet in the entire history of zoological parks...then I suppose that anything is available to be analyzed.
By the way, I don't know anything about the rotation policy of the rhinos and okapi, and so we all need an insider view of that to figure out the truth.
But gorillas thrive in a family group, so thus that is awesome that they have 20 gorillas. Gorillas families don't divide the space up amongst themselves, so its not a tiny amount of space. I don't understand why people always buy the animals per acre argument. I can see if the animals are territorial, but when they are not it doesn't make sense. I highly doubt the hot-wire plants take up a significant amount of square-footage.
Can someone please tell me, why do people always have to criticize excellent exhibits? Is there any exhibit out there immune to criticism from all viewpoints? Even this enclosure, which obviously from the photo is a brilliant, almost perfect recreation of a Central African Rain forest. In this exhibit the gorillas are thriving living in a true family group, acting as wild gorillas do.
Just like all families, gorillas sometimes need space and privacy, as ashley-h (Ash will never catch on) says, square-footage isn't everything but it is an important factor. Personally, however I think this exhibit is a good size but will be even better if they ever do the planned rotation.
Just because you think an exhibit is perfect does not mean everyone else does (or, from personal experience, is a member of PETA for not agreeing that an elephant exhibit does not have to be more than half an acre). There will always be criticisms of exhibits here on zoochat, in the same way there will always be compliments. If everyone said that exhibits were faultless, we'd still be in the age of iron bars, zoos can always improve - that's why I keep visiting them.
