I know there are many complaints about the Cincinnati Cat House but I thought it was great. Lots of species, easy for visitors and if you focus on the indoor (I've never been there in the summer--can't speak for the outdoors) exhibits individually...most of them are basic exhibits (yes, albeit some are small) and there's not any one exhibit where you feel desperately sorry for the 'poor' animal.
I know there are many complaints about the Cincinnati Cat House but I thought it was great. Lots of species, easy for visitors and if you focus on the indoor (I've never been there in the summer--can't speak for the outdoors) exhibits individually...most of them are basic exhibits (yes, albeit some are small) and there's not any one exhibit where you feel desperately sorry for the 'poor' animal.
I agree with reduakari, as the Cincinnati Zoo's cat house has an unbelievable collection that is amongst the best of any zoo on the planet...but there is not one single decent enclosure amongst all of those wonderful cats! When I was there last summer I saw a snow leopard indoors (with zero outdoor access) in a cage that was the same size of a small bedroom. I saw a bobcat pacing nonstop in its crappy outdoor cage, and the list goes on and on. The zoo should either renovate or bulldoze the building.
Obviously, I disagree but to each their own. I don't think there are any of them that are inhumane or terrible to that level and they're by no means superb exhibits but I don't think they completely merit the full level of disdain some have for them. I think especially on this forum a lot of us are more critical of exhibits that are mediocre because there are so many great exhibits out there.
In a lot of ways, it reminds me of a lot of older Reptile Houses with minimum painted walls and little added bonuses and not much more.
Perhaps with the Cat Canyon something will be improved for the Cat House.
I agree with reduakari, as the Cincinnati Zoo's cat house has an unbelievable collection that is amongst the best of any zoo on the planet...but there is not one single decent enclosure amongst all of those wonderful cats! When I was there last summer I saw a snow leopard indoors (with zero outdoor access) in a cage that was the same size of a small bedroom. I saw a bobcat pacing nonstop in its crappy outdoor cage, and the list goes on and on. The zoo should either renovate or bulldoze the building.
I believe they are going to bulldoze the building. Not sure if this has been brought up already on another forum, but they are building a state-of-the-art small cat breeding center on a private farm they own. They will move all cat house residents there and build a new big and small cat exhibit at the zoo. I haven't heard any timeline, but I'm sure it will be amazing. As a cat fanatic, I can't wait. They have the best cat collection, although not as many as a few years ago (no more jaguarundi, no more golden cat). I'm sure most of you know they already run a private cheetah breeding farm just outside the city.
