This 5-acre complex opens in 2011 and features African elephants in two large yards. There will also be naked mole rats, meerkats, pythons, African birds and other critters within the area, and the zoo will be capable of holding up to 10 elephants at a time.
The one major difference in the actual exhibit and this model is that the long pool in the Mopani Range (the yard on the right) was deleted from the design of the project as it was too costly. I suspect this to be a change for the better, as the elephants will have much more roaming space.
For the second time during this project it has come to my attention that the design has been altered.The original plans called for the exhibit to also include nile hippos a longtime zoo staple and one of my favorites growing up.Now I see that have cut the pool out of the nightyard.I understand the difficulties in fundraising and the fact that all zoos have budget concerns but given the amount of time this project has been in the works I beleive it could have been done better.I do feel that this is going to be a great exhibit for both the elephants and the public,however it could have had so much more potential.
Actually this exhibit has been getting so much better since the original plans. If there were hippos then the elephants would have much less space. Also, the plans never called for a pool in the night range, it was always going to be in the Mopani Range. Also that would have cost a lot of roaming space when the elephants already have two pools. Without the pool they have a lot more roaming space. So yes, I wholeheartedly disagree with you, and I am very happy they have made changes in favor of the elephants. It will definitely live up to its potential and then some.
Actually this exhibit has been getting so much better since the original plans. If there were hippos then the elephants would have much less space. Also, the plans never called for a pool in the night range, it was always going to be in the Mopani Range. Also that would have cost a lot of roaming space when the elephants already have two pools. Without the pool they have a lot more roaming space. So yes, I wholeheartedly disagree with you, and I am very happy they have made changes in favor of the elephants. It will definitely live up to its potential and then some.
Space for the elephants should not be an issue CMZ has the room.If hippos were still included they could have expanded the elephant yards over into the former bird building site.This area which is a prime exhibit location is currently a total waste with a touch tank,virtual safari ride and climbing aparatus.All of these things could be located elsewhere in the zoo.Let me again make it clear that I am not against the Elephant Crossing Project I do think its going to be a wonderful exhibit.There are just certain aspects of it that are disapointing to me.I have high standards and always think big thats just how I am.
Space for the elephants should not be an issue CMZ has the room.If hippos were still included they could have expanded the elephant yards over into the former bird building site.This area which is a prime exhibit location is currently a total waste with a touch tank,virtual safari ride and climbing aparatus.All of these things could be located elsewhere in the zoo.Let me again make it clear that I am not against the Elephant Crossing Project I do think its going to be a wonderful exhibit.There are just certain aspects of it that are disapointing to me.I have high standards and always think big thats just how I am.
Have you seen the site? Its huge so I don't think the size of the elephant exhibit is really going to be an issue. Maybe someday down the line they will make a new exhibit for hippos, and just so you know CMZ only has one hippo, Blackie, who is 55 years old. It would be pretty dumb to build a brand new hippo exhibit when he probably will only get to live in it 1-2 years. Also, most zoos have hippos in pairs so I really don't know where CMZ would get more hippos from.
Have you seen the site? Its huge so I don't think the size of the elephant exhibit is really going to be an issue. Maybe someday down the line they will make a new exhibit for hippos, and just so you know CMZ only has one hippo, Blackie, who is 55 years old. It would be pretty dumb to build a brand new hippo exhibit when he probably will only get to live in it 1-2 years. Also, most zoos have hippos in pairs so I really don't know where CMZ would get more hippos from.
I know the zoo better than you think been coming once a week since I was 2 years old and I worked on the service maintaintance trash crew for 5 years.I spent alot of time at the old pachy, got to know the keepers and even used to lift weights in the basement.My point was if they wanted to include other speices they have more space available for the elephants.I am wondering what you think of the area I mentioned where the bird building used to be.Do you think a permenant exhibit should be placed there?
I know the zoo better than you think been coming once a week since I was 2 years old and I worked on the service maintaintance trash crew for 5 years.I spent alot of time at the old pachy, got to know the keepers and even used to lift weights in the basement.My point was if they wanted to include other speices they have more space available for the elephants.I am wondering what you think of the area I mentioned where the bird building used to be.Do you think a permenant exhibit should be placed there?
I think once the elephant exhibit is finished that would be a great area to build a new hippo exhibit, but underwater hippo exhibits are quite costly, and I honestly think a new primate area is more needed. I think it would be kind of awkward to have made one continuous elephant exhibit going up a hill so steep. That would not feel very much like an African Savanna to me. Also the Touch exhibit is extremely popular, so to get rid of that would be a bad idea, but a great area to move it to would be the pavilion on waterfowl lake. The Dinosaur exhibit is pointless if you ask me, and I would much rather see the zoo invest in something else. As for the elephant exhibit, I'm really excited for it to open in less than 8 months as I have been anticipating it for years. I think it will be one of the best African Elephant exhibit in America with extremely close viewing opportunities, as well as many innovative features for the elephants. I also like that the designers are really taking in aesthetics into account, and are trying to disguise the building in both elephant yards. The exhibit is modeled off of savannas in Africa, and I definitely think it will live up to its potential.
I think once the elephant exhibit is finished that would be a great area to build a new hippo exhibit, but underwater hippo exhibits are quite costly, and I honestly think a new primate area is more needed. I think it would be kind of awkward to have made one continuous elephant exhibit going up a hill so steep. That would not feel very much like an African Savanna to me. Also the Touch exhibit is extremely popular, so to get rid of that would be a bad idea, but a great area to move it to would be the pavilion on waterfowl lake. The Dinosaur exhibit is pointless if you ask me, and I would much rather see the zoo invest in something else. As for the elephant exhibit, I'm really excited for it to open in less than 8 months as I have been anticipating it for years. I think it will be one of the best African Elephant exhibit in America with extremely close viewing opportunities, as well as many innovative features for the elephants. I also like that the designers are really taking in aesthetics into account, and are trying to disguise the building in both elephant yards. The exhibit is modeled off of savannas in Africa, and I definitely think it will live up to its potential.
We actually agree on some things I also think that the dinosaur exhibit is pointless,the back of Waterfowl Lake would be a good spot for the touch tank and as much as I would like a new hippo exhibit at Savannah Ridge I realize how expensive it would be and that there are more pressing needs.I like the idea of a cheetah exhibit at Savanna Ridge freeing up the entire upper area for a Primate Forest which I have also stated before I would like to include a pygmy hippo.
