Africa will be the largest animal exhibit in the Zoo\'s history, planned to be nearly 8-acres big and at a cost of $32,000,000. Phases I & II,, were completed in 2010 which added an exhibit for flamingos and cranes. The Cheetah Encounter yard was also expanded so the cheetahs we given enough space to run. As of now the Zoo is constructing phase III that will include a wider vista that will offer visitors an opportunity to see the zoo\'s current white lions and the return of cheetahs. This phase alone is expected to be finished in 2013.
In Phase IV, the zoo will add the largest part of the future attraction, a wide Savannah teeming with some of Africa\'s most spectacular hoofstock such as zebras, gazelles, and elands. Along with some of the world\'s largest birds like ostriches, Marabou storks and grey-crowned cranes. This phase will be open in 2014.
The final phase will bring Nile hippos, one of the most remarkable and fearsome creatures in all of Africa, and crocodiles. The hippo area will give visitors a dramatic experience by providing both above and below-water viewing. In addition, this phase will include Nile crocodiles and possibly African wild dogs. This last area will open in 2015.
The resolution of the map is too small for me to see, but will the mixed savanna exhibit connect with the new giraffe exhibit so that the giraffes will mix in with the other savanna hoofstock species?
The resolution of the map is too small for me to see, but will the mixed savanna exhibit connect with the new giraffe exhibit so that the giraffes will mix in with the other savanna hoofstock species?
No the painting of Africa shown on the video showed that it would connect but it never originally would anyways. The lions will sort of connect with the savanna, and the guests would be protected with a moat (and a fence of course but it will make it seem like the real African plains).
Nice to see the updated plans for Africa now that all of the changes and additions have been made. Where exactly was this map? I'll have to make sure to take a closer look at it the next time I'm at the zoo. Everything looks nice, but the size of the hippo exhibit worries me. On the old map it looked to be of nice size, but it looks considerably smaller on this map...Hopefully when it's built it will be larger than it appears here.
Nice to see the updated plans for Africa now that all of the changes and additions have been made. Where exactly was this map? I'll have to make sure to take a closer look at it the next time I'm at the zoo. Everything looks nice, but the size of the hippo exhibit worries me. On the old map it looked to be of nice size, but it looks considerably smaller on this map...Hopefully when it's built it will be larger than it appears here.
It was on a construction fence by the old etrance. I am worried too, the croc exhibit is tiny! (it is the size of the old planned kopjie, it is on top towards the hippo exhibit and to the right more)
The resolution of the map is too small for me to see, but will the mixed savanna exhibit connect with the new giraffe exhibit so that the giraffes will mix in with the other savanna hoofstock species?
Since the resolution is too small (which I agree, sorry, I had to use someone else's phone), I will sketch out a map and attach it to here so everyone can see.
The crocodile exhibit connects to the 3rd pool. I'm guessing guests will be able to walk on and under the boardwalk. Also a moat and waterfall will separate the lions from us and the animals. I suspect that the water will all flow from swan lake. This looks better than I thought it would be. There is also an empty, circular type exhibit along the path from Africa to the restaurant that I didn't draw on there.
Thanks for the quick sketch Moebelle. One thing that I'm left pondering about is the exhibit marked for zebras. Does this mean that the zebras will only be viewed from a distance, or is this merely an area to separate the zebras from the other species when needed?
Thanks for the quick sketch Moebelle. One thing that I'm left pondering about is the exhibit marked for zebras. Does this mean that the zebras will only be viewed from a distance, or is this merely an area to separate the zebras from the other species when needed?
I honestly don't get it especially when there is no other path leading towards it. Maybe it is for when it is just needed, probably because the zoo has been/is breeding a lot of them. I'll ask the zoo on Facebook.
Zebras can be notoriously aggressive, and they often do not mix well in mixed-species exhibits - especially Grevy's zebras. That said, hopefully the exhibit marked for zebras will merely serve as an enclosure to separate Shewa from the other species and Lainey Lyn and her offspring from the other species when the offspring are young. If not it will be nearly impossible to see the zebras.
