I have a photo (which, unfortunately, I haven't scanned so I can't upload it) of this exhibit taken in the 1980's or early 1990's. The wall had about 3 feet of chain link fence extending over the enclosure at a 45-degree angle. The mesh was sagging badly in the middle due to all the children sitting on it.
I remember taking the photo to show how stupid the public could be. Some exhibit safeguards are built, I think, to protect the animal from the public and not vice-versa.
I thought that this was eventually renovated and turned into the gharial pool, and that is actually a terrific exhibit. The entire Reptile Mesa section of the zoo is just about unbeatable, and all in the bright San Diego sunshine!
