Huge improvement over what was there before and I look forward to photos of the completed project.
However, I do have to make one somewhat negative observation. Does anyone else find it ironic/disappointing that the two most expensive elephant expansions in the country (San Diego and Los Angeles) both have the worst looking perimeter design - bare steel cables?
There's really no other tested way to exhibit them unless using concrete walls, cliffs, moats, or rock walls. All of these are more expensive then steel cables and they take up more space. I think they went with the right materials here as far as doing the best with what they got. There are many elephant exhibits that use the same type of barrier anyways.
I am sure they are more expensive, but as I have already said, these are the two most expensive elephant exhibits in the country. Couldn't they have fit that into the budget?
Why could neither Los Angeles or San Diego fit it into a $44 million exhibit budget when my zoo is fitting it into an $8 million exhibit budget?
First of all, I'm sure construction is way more expensive in both SD and LA than it is in Tucson, AZ. Also, I'm not sure about the Reid Park Zoo, but both SD and LA had major demolition to do, which from what I've heard it could take a major chunk of the budget. I know that here in LA, they also had to replace a lot of the infrastructure around the exhibit because the original infrastructure couldn't support it. In SD they also had to build all the other exhibits, not just the elephant exhibit. Of course there are other factors that we will just not know.
I think space is a big reason as well. Elephant Odyssey was a lanky exhibit that cut across the entire part of what was previously Horns and Hoof mesa. Where the exhibit is closest to the zoo entrance, is probably where there is the least space and viewing is entirely through this type of barrier. Certain areas of Elephants of Asia will have this issue as well. Though I don't think this is bad, it will definitely hurt the immersive quality of the exhibit. I feel that most of the successful elephant exhibits (SDWAP, Nashville, NC, Dallas) are successful because they have plenty of space in a wide open area instead of fences winding their way through facilities.
I am sure they are more expensive, but as I have already said, these are the two most expensive elephant exhibits in the country. Couldn't they have fit that into the budget?
Why could neither Los Angeles or San Diego fit it into a $44 million exhibit budget when my zoo is fitting it into an $8 million exhibit budget?
Many US elephant experts are not in favor of moats, which in addition to being expensive to build have in the past led to injury/death of animals accidentally falling or being pushed. That said, dry moats sloped on the animal side can be perfectly safe and much more attractive than cables (St. Louis is a prime example).
I saw another photo of the exhibit and I think you are right. I'll be at the zoo tomorrow and will be taking more photos of the exhibit, but hopefully from different angles than the ones you already posted.
Sounds good, I will have to drive up to Los Angeles and see this exhibit for myself over winter break. Although I do not think this exhibit will be as good as some of the African Elephant exhibits out there, any spatial expansion and barn improvement is a plus for elephant care. The water features, wallows, and new enrichment items are a bonus as well. After all, elephants are one of the most difficult animals to care for due to their intelligence and size.
