This giant otter exhibit actually reminds me of the one in Amazon & Beyond at Zoo Miami, as in both cases there is a winding stream that culminates in a deep pool with underwater viewing. Rainforest of the Americas seems like yet another solid addition to Los Angeles Zoo and the end of what must be at least a $250 million spending spree since the late 1990's. L.A. Zoo has been dramatically transformed during that time but it still lacks any noteworthy African exhibits and there are more than 20 of those infamous C-shaped cages from the 1960's still scattered around the mazelike zoo.
From photos Rainforest of the Americas seems to have some really nice elements to it (large otter and tapir exhibits, some true rarities finally on show, etc) but something will have to be done about the lack of foliage and the glare on the windows is a bit dodgy for an expensive new exhibit complex. Are more overhead shading tarps needed?
I would hazard a guess that what is shown is not hotwire, but is instead a safety tie-off cable--probably required by ultra-cautious legal watchdogs making sure the Zoo/City cannot be sued by a gardener or keeper who just might accidentally fall from the planter space. Another unfortunate blow to aesthetics (and budget) thanks to the super-litigious environment of the US (and especially California). Other photos of ROA reveal similar unsightly safety fences etc., totally negating any naturalism the exhibit might be striving for.
There is zero naturalism in the ROTA, which is baffling and disappointing.
The giant otter exhibit is a great exhibit. Watching the giant otters underwater is awesome and everything that I hoped this exhibit would deliver for them. If ROTA were only the giant otter exhibit it would be terrific.
I guess having a stream inside an 18' depression running parallel on slope is not how a stream would originally develop. It does remind me of Miami too, but Maimi's is much better executed. The towering rock walls are not as high.
I guess having a stream inside an 18' depression running parallel on slope is not how a stream would originally develop. It does remind me of Miami too, but Maimi's is much better executed. The towering rock walls are not as high.
I have to say, I think these 'dry riverbed' exhibits are one of the curses of naturalistic enclosure design - somebody clearly thinks they look natural...
With my sensible head on, they probably do look more natural than any feasible alternative, but I still think that unless arranged and planted very carefully they look horrible - just as bad as a concrete wall would and no less obviously an enclosure boundary!
Still, this would be a much better whinge if I could come up with an alternative design suggestion...
