Grading for the LA Zoo Rainforest of the Americas exhibit taken on Sept. 17 2011. Exhibit scheduled to open sometime in 2013 according to LA Zoo website at time photo was taken.
Grading for the LA Zoo Rainforest of the Americas exhibit taken on Sept. 17 2011. Exhibit scheduled to open sometime in 2013 according to LA Zoo website at time photo was taken.
Wow, that was fast! Two weeks ago this whole area was full of trees, and I'm actually surprised that they didn't leave any mature trees in the area other then the ones in the back. I have some questions, is the Cape Griffon Vulture aviary still there, I can't see it in the photo? and are the old aviaries gone?
I was planning to go today but I woke up too late...
Hey mstickmanp. I'm not sure about the vulture or the aviaries. I was doing a quick loop through the zoo around the ele exhibit and excitedly noticed the construction without paying attention to what had been removed. If you notice next time you go I would like to know what is missing myself. What is the cinder block building in the middle of the grading zone? For all the years that I have been going to the LA Zoo, this is the part that I know the least.
That building looks like the old China Pavilion that used to hold the Red Uakaris. By the looks of it, the actual cage/mesh has been demolished, so maybe the building will also get demolished in the coming weeks.
I would imagine the old aviaries are gone now too, they take up a large section of what will be Rainforest of the Americas space. For those familiar with this area, that does not include the two walk-through aviaries. Those will remain.
That building looks like the old China Pavilion that used to hold the Red Uakaris. By the looks of it, the actual cage/mesh has been demolished, so maybe the building will also get demolished in the coming weeks.
I remember reading, sometime back, that the China Pavilion structure would be converted into a holding facility for the new Rainforest of the Americas. Apparently the reason why it is still standing.
I asked the LA Zoo over Facebook about what species will be in the exhibit and when we will see some preview drawings. Here is the reply I got so I guess this qualifies as official information:
"Rainforest of the America's won't open for at least another year and a half, it will contain a new habitat for giant otter, harpy eagle and several others. We won't be previewing it until it gets closer to opening time. In the meantime, we will start previewing LAIR (Living Amphibians Invertebrates & Reptiles) within the next few months. LAIR is scheduled to open early 2012."
