Big Cat Country - Jaguar Exhibit

July 19th, 2010.

While everyone seems to be in agreement that Jacksonville and Woodland Park are where North America's two best jaugar exhibits are located, the sheer size of the enclosure at Saint Louis is hugely impressive. This photo shows less than 50% of the habitat, even though visitors look down upon the cat(s) over the steep walls. I rate Saint Louis Zoo's Big Cat Country as an excellent set of exhibits, even though the complex is over 30 years old. Saint Louis is easily one of the 10 best zoos on the continent, and it is a effective mix of new and old enclosure designs.

It is also the only jaguar exhibit in America that I can think of (off the top of my head) that has unobstructed viewing - no glass or fence or mesh.

The only other one that comes to mind is Chester Zoo, England.

Phoenix used to have an open top jaguar exhibit? It was too small, and not great, but no mesh or glass obstructions.

I believe Milwaukee exhibits jaguars in one of their open, moated predator/prey rockwork grottos.

Arizona Docent said:

It is also the only jaguar exhibit in America that I can think of (off the top of my head) that has unobstructed viewing - no glass or fence or mesh.

The only other one that comes to mind is Chester Zoo, England.

Click to expand...

Dartmoor zoo, England, also has unobstructed views of its jaguar

If the lakeside were natural, I think it could be a perfect exhibit. There is vegetation, water, space, grass...

Lovely habitat! One of the few uncovered enclosures I've seen for jaguars, leopards, cougars and other climbing cats.