This is what all of the elephant exhibits, Asian and African, look like in California so it is always nice to see a lush, green elephant exhibit like Disney's Animal Kingdom. I guess empirically it is not possible to keep these exhibits green in a semi-desert climate as Los Angeles, San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, and Oakland all look pretty much the same.
One of the main reasons why I adore the "big 3" elephant exhibits in the U.S. (North Carolina, Nashville and Dallas) is that they were all seen by me in the height of summer and they were all green and lush. What a difference in comparison to the sandy dustbowls commonly located in many California zoos!
I dont know where you got your 6 acre figure but unfortunately its incorrect. I measured its more like 3.5. Still a decent size, but not quite that good
@DelacoursLangur I totally agree with your 3.5 acre assessment, as it seems more logical, but here is a press release from the zoo that mentions 6.5 acres. Wow!
@snowleopard I mean thats just complete fiction they are putting out then, that's ridiculous... 3.5 acres is still pretty dang decent compared to most AZA facilities, so I dont know why they feel the need to exaggerate. If I recall correctly this is not the first time I have measured and found many elephant enclosures are vastly smaller than advertised.
@DelacoursLangur Yes, it can be very deceiving at times. Occasionally a zoo will include the entire area surrounding the elephants (visitor walkways, nearby washrooms, even the barn!) as the total measurement of an outdoor exhibit. I have never been a big fan of the Oakland Zoo's elephant area, as it's an awkward layout with most of the acreage up on a slope. Plus, like other elephant enclosures in California, it's dry and dusty and not aesthetically pleasing.
