British ZooChatter Tim Brown, who is closing in on 600 zoos on his lifetime list, said this about Denver Zoo in the spring 2011 issue of Zoo Grapevine magazine: "is certainly, beyond any deliberation whatsoever, one of America's top 10 zoos". In terms of primates, hoofstock, birds, pachyderms, rainforest pavilions, attendance, etc, I think that most people would agree with that statement. However, like most large-scale, historic zoos there are some severely outdated sections as well and the cold winters undoubtedly hinder the lushness of exhibits. Hopefully once the hype surrounding Toyota Elephant Passage calms down the zoo can begin fundraising and planning for its Asian Temperate Forest complex.
I can not wait to see plans for the Asian Temparate Forest exhibit (this is also in Brookfield Zoo's masterplan). It will fit the climate much better than the asian tropics exhibit. Also the tigers and leopards (I hope both amar and snowleopards) will finally not be in the feline house.
