snowleopard

Serengeti Crossing - White-Bearded Wildebeest/Zebra/Ostrich Exhibit

July 16th, 2012. This is essentially one extremely large paddock for at least 4 white-bearded wildebeest, 3 Grant’s zebras and 4 ostrich, and it features a grassy meadow and numerous mature trees. While there are a couple of small observation decks for the most part it is a long walk for visitors alongside an aesthetically unappealing wire fence. When so many zoos have panoramic vistas of an African savanna it seems as if any local farmer could have hammered together some chicken wire onto poles and created his or her own Serengeti Crossing. Obviously the animals don’t care either way, but one could point out that zoos (especially American zoos) are designed more for the visitor and so to have a simple wire fence is definitely not the most artful choice of containment.
  • Like
Reactions: DelacoursLangur
July 16th, 2012. This is essentially one extremely large paddock for at least 4 white-bearded wildebeest, 3 Grant’s zebras and 4 ostrich, and it features a grassy meadow and numerous mature trees. While there are a couple of small observation decks for the most part it is a long walk for visitors alongside an aesthetically unappealing wire fence. When so many zoos have panoramic vistas of an African savanna it seems as if any local farmer could have hammered together some chicken wire onto poles and created his or her own Serengeti Crossing. Obviously the animals don’t care either way, but one could point out that zoos (especially American zoos) are designed more for the visitor and so to have a simple wire fence is definitely not the most artful choice of containment.
 
In my description of this exhibit (see above) I was less than complimentary and while I stand by those words I will point out that the large trees form a nice backdrop. It seems as if there is far more potential here than what is being realized by the zoo. Is the species line-up still the same?

Another exhibit that has potential is for the giraffes and second zebra species. Here is a photo of the giraffe/zebra exhibit from 2012:

http://www.zoochat.com/566/masai-giraffe-grevys-zebra-exhibit-286645/
 
The exhibit has the same line-up on the map and the signage, but I did not see any ostriches. I agree that the fence is obstructive of viewing and not attractive. The exhibit itself is quite nice as an animal space.
 
I agree with your assessment. It's nice in size and provides shade, but the fencing is so unappealing.
 

Media information

Category
Franklin Park Zoo
Added by
snowleopard
Date added
View count
1,996
Comment count
4
Rating
0.00 star(s) 0 ratings

Share this media

Back
Top