This is one of the better zoos in North America, but the orangutan exhibit is perhaps up there with Pittsburgh, Toronto and others in terms of being the worst in a major zoo. However, with $5 million in the bank for a replacement things are looking up for Phoenix's red apes!
The reason for the canopy overhead is the intense sunlight is a bit much for these rainforest dwellers. The reason they went with concrete with no natural substrate for so long is to attempt to keep the apes from contracting valley fever (which can be transmitted in dirt) They do provide lots of enrichment and other than not having the feel of grass underfoot (which for an arboreal rain forest dweller, I'm not sure of the importance of) the only real complaint about this exhibit is size.
I can't speak as to the temperature inside the exhibit, but I've never noticed any hot concrete in the viewing area in the middle of August. As far as the humidity goes, they do have misters all around the exhibit that I imagine help some.
The keepers in the zoo hate this exhibit, and the visitors i heard felt the same.
about the animals...well accodring to the keepers this exhibit gets realy warm during the summer,there were other things about this exhibit that i've been told are problematic.
anyway i am very happy to hear that this exhibit is on her way out...that will make the much better..cause other than this exhibit the zoo was lovely.
