That is actually the reptile house and the photo shows half the building (the other side is symmetric). It is essentially a couple hundred square foot round building with the alligators in the center and the glass exhibits all around.
The exhibit in the centre is WAY too small for its inhabitants, and the sooner this historic yet badly outdated building is turned into a souvenir stand/cafe/coffee shop the better!
@Zooplantman: As you know those Chinese alligators in the centre exhibit are in the oldest zoo building in the United States, and I'm shocked that this little place used to hold a gorilla.
@Zooplantman: As you know those Chinese alligators in the centre exhibit are in the oldest zoo building in the United States, and I'm shocked that this little place used to hold a gorilla.
Oh no...the gorilla was in a smaller space! A cage long since demolished, built on the side of this building:
Susie, the famous trained gorilla (you can see old pictures and read about her on the following page, about half way down: Zoo Part 6
This shows her in the cGE: http://www.cincinnativiews.net/images/Suzie 1.jpg )