@Blackduiker: The enclosures at CALM appear to be mainly average, using lots of chain-link fencing and the occasional glass viewing window, and there is even an L.A. Zoo round-house exhibit. Thanks for posting all of the photos, although I'm a little disappointed with what I've seen. Do you want to type up a short review?
@Blackduiker: The enclosures at CALM appear to be mainly average, using lots of chain-link fencing and the occasional glass viewing window, and there is even an L.A. Zoo round-house exhibit. Thanks for posting all of the photos, although I'm a little disappointed with what I've seen. Do you want to type up a short review?
I gave a short synopsis on your 2011 California Adventure thread. But in short, hardly worth the nearly 100 mile drive there for my wife and I yesterday. If I lived within 25 miles and had no other zoo options nearby then I could understand. And with Bakersfield now boasting a population of over 350,000 that's unfortunate. But they have plenty of surrounding acres to expand, and Cats of California is a decent step in the right direction. Though as I remarked under several uploaded photos of that habitat, especially concerning the Bobcats, I found the large space quite barren. With little shade or climbing opportunities. The Mountain Lion space was a bit more acceptable. The photographs pretty much speak for themselves.
The grounds are attractive enough with ponds and streams running through them. And quaint little bridges to cross here and there. But if you're looking for natural habitats, they are few. Consider this a little stopover on the long adventure through California. I'm sure you've seen much worse, and chock it up as another institution to mark off the list of those visited.
Just a quick thought on the potential of this place. The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum had humble beginnings as well, here is a relatively recent photo showing what once existed there.
