I agree and disagree. Yes, this is a very expensive work of mastery but...at the same time...any zoo with private donations can do something of the sort. Of course, it would be much harder for the Louisville Zoo (for example) to acquire the amount of money, interest or space that Bronx did.
I'm a true believer in exhibits that compliment the size and span of a zoo. Seeing a ginormous exhibit that is great in a relatively tiny zoo depresses me because I wonder why it can't all be like that.
@Zebraduiker: I'm not sure if I've asked you this before, but what are your top 5 favourite gorilla exhibits? I'm keen on lists, and so if you were to type out a list of the best gorilla enclosures you've seen then it would make for interesting reading as you've definitely been to loads of zoos. In the United States I think that Bronx, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Lincoln Park, San Diego, Dallas, Atlanta, Woodland Park, Louisville, etc, all appear to have above average exhibits for gorillas. There are many others, but those 8 zoos have raised the bar for great ape habitats in the United States.
@Mzungu: this photo only shows a fraction of the overall exhibit space for the approximately 18 gorillas, and there are a number of bushes and various other plants towards the right of this photo. There are parts of the enclosure that are extremely thick with vegetation, along with vines, small drinking pools and a realistic impression of a rainforest environment.
Yeah, i spoke without actually looking at other photos of the place. in other words i assumed the rest of the enclosure was like this. assuming nearly always ends in failure
i looked at some other photos and was pleased to see much denser vegetation then shown in this photo.
Yeah, i spoke without actually looking at other photos of the place. in other words i assumed the rest of the enclosure was like this. assuming nearly always ends in failure
i looked at some other photos and was pleased to see much denser vegetation then shown in this photo.
I have seen denser undergrowth at the Chester Zoo's chimps and mandrills exhibits, and some greater density at the Dallas Zoo's gorilla exhibit so probably more density is possible (although both Chester and Dallas have much milder climates for plants!). But at Congo Gorilla Forest (unlike at Chester or Dallas), all views come from one side only, so increasing planting density would vastly reduce animal viewing.
@Zooplantman: even though in the past you have shown an aversion to "ranking" exhibits, other than Congo Gorilla Forest what great ape enclosures would you consider to be exemplary? The usual suspects in North America or Europe, or are there some surprises that would perhaps make your list?
@Zooplantman: even though in the past you have shown an aversion to "ranking" exhibits, other than Congo Gorilla Forest what great ape enclosures would you consider to be exemplary? The usual suspects in North America or Europe, or are there some surprises that would perhaps make your list?
Well, I may look at exhibits a bit differently from how most here look at them. I am, of course, focused on the landscape and especially those that surprise me. High on that list is Bush Gardens and Disney's Animal Kingdom for gorilla exhibits. Of course, given the length of their growing seasons, the plantings ought to catch my eye! Also, when I saw the chimps at Kansas City Zoo in the trees I was astonished and thrilled. It can't last, but it was terrific while it did (or does). There are some other nice ape exhibits but they are predictable and so not noteworthy to me.
Most great ape exhibits are so poor from the point of view of immersion and landscape that I can't really enjoy the animals unless I have lots of time at the zoo and can "get over" my offended sensibilities
@Zooplantman: So you are actively supportive of the ideals of landscape immersion in zoos? That is not surprising as you have worked in several American zoos, and the focus in that country is on beautifully designed exhibits that in most cases include a lush assembly of plants. There are numerous outstanding animal habitats all over the country, but of course there are also times when the idea fails miserably...
For gorillas you've mentioned Bronx, DAK and Busch Gardens, and the Kansas City Zoo's massive chimpanzee enclosure is also high on your list. What about orangutans? That largely arboreal ape is arguably the most difficult primate of all to create a decent exhibit for, as there are very few top-notch enclosures for that species in any zoo.
