August 3rd, 2010. Species list: white rhino, ostrich, sitatunga, gemsbok, Nile lechwe, blesbok, Thomson\'s gazelle, greater kudu and defassa waterbuck.
North Carolina Zoo must be a contender for the world's largest walk-through zoo, as there are around 2,000 acres in total and 500 are actually developed. The shuttles and trams that are available only transport visitors from station to station, and there are zero animals to be seen via that mode of transportation. The only way to view the animal collection is to walk for many hours, and the exhibits are enormous! This 40-acre mixed-species exhibit in the photo is the largest, but there is also an 11-acre bison/elk paddock, a 7-acre African elephant enclosure and a 3.5 acre giraffe/zebra/ostrich enclosure. Even the large primates (Hamadryas baboons, gorillas, chimpanzees) have exhibits that range from half an acre to a full acre in size.
@kiang: you make a great point, as this single enclosure at the North Carolina Zoo is actually larger than many entire zoos! It is amazing that there is still a vast amount of space (1,500 acres) that is not really being used whatsoever. If the finances fall into place this zoo could get even better, and it is already one of the very best in North America.
I actually was critical of this enormous exhibit when I typed up a comprehensive review for my road trip thread, as it is very difficult to get close sightings of many of the animals. There are about 6-7 white rhinos, which along with the ostriches were fairly easy to see, but I definitely did not locate all 7 of the antelope species. There is one section that is an elevated, wide walkway, but other than that this photo sums up many of the viewing opportunities. It is a flaw in an otherwise quite brilliant zoo.
I actually was critical of this enormous exhibit when I typed up a comprehensive review for my road trip thread, as it is very difficult to get close sightings of many of the animals. There are about 6-7 white rhinos, which along with the ostriches were fairly easy to see, but I definitely did not locate all 7 of the antelope species. There is one section that is an elevated, wide walkway, but other than that this photo sums up many of the viewing opportunities. It is a flaw in an otherwise quite brilliant zoo.
Thanks - had a feeling that'd be the case. An exhibit this size really needs you to be able to into it somehow, I think. Either a 'truck ride' a la Port Lympne, or an Edinburgh-style elevated walkway (more to my taste). Otherwise even if you do see the animals they're likely to be so far away you may as well not have.
EDIT: Or just make the paddock a more sensible size, given that you're exhibitng animals for the public!
