The 70 acres is just the African Savannah section, the zoo also has an African Forest section at the other end of the zoo. It opened in 2000 and is home to Bonobos, Gorillas, Okapis, Red River Hogs, Mandrills, Black Duikers, Angolan Colobus Monkeys, African Leopards, seventeen species of birds, and over 700 species of plants native to the Congolese Rainforests. So all in all Columbus will have a rather complete African collection. It'll be interesting to see how the African Savannah & African Forest will stand up against Kansas City's African region.
I love 'Giants of the Savanna' (having seen it myself, not just from photos) but no one in his right mind could ever confuse it with an actual African Savanna; at least no one who has ever watched Animal Planet or National Geographic.
Not to mention that this photo appears to have been taken before most of the grass died, before the USDA forced the zoo to add hideous (and entirely unneccesary) shade structures, AND is at an angle that obscures the huge gates and visually-obtrusive observation platforms.
Giants of the Savanna does some things that do resemble Africa, like the river terraces and mudbanks, and some of the perimeter planting is very nicely done as well. But the exhibit's real innovations are the mixing of other species with elephants and the integration of free-flighted cranes and other birds.
That wasn't quite a hissing match. It was merely a discussion. Not nearly an argument. Just stating what may or may not happen. I'm sure KCZooFan would agree.
Either way, it doesn't have anything to with Dallas or this picture.
That wasn't quite a hissing match. It was merely a discussion. Not nearly an argument. Just stating what may or may not happen. I'm sure KCZooFan would agree.
Either way, it doesn't have anything to with Dallas or this picture.
Not to mention that this photo appears to have been taken before most of the grass died, before the USDA forced the zoo to add hideous (and entirely unneccesary) shade structures, AND is at an angle that obscures the huge gates and visually-obtrusive observation platforms.
Giants of the Savanna does some things that do resemble Africa, like the river terraces and mudbanks, and some of the perimeter planting is very nicely done as well. But the exhibit's real innovations are the mixing of other species with elephants and the integration of free-flighted cranes and other birds.
Agree 100%. As for the end of your statement, I wonder if they have started with the bird free flights. There was none of that on my visit over New Year's weekend. (It also did not look as nice as this because all of the trees had lost their leaves for the winter. Of course this is not the zoo's fault!).
