Yes, it was very expensive to build, and since it is California it cost way more to build. It also includes a jaguar, lion, condor, tapir, and other various hoof stock exhibits.
Naturalistic enclosures can be functional, but I have yet to see an enclosure as functional as this one. It is just sort of sad that all you zoochatters hate this exhibit so much when a lot of time, money, and research went into it. They were really excited about the exhibit and I know the elephant staff and the ambassador of the exhibit (Rick Schwartz) were very pleased with how it turned out.
I agree that it is more important if the elephants stay healthy and active then how it looks, but the problem is, from the pics we`ve here on zoochat so far you can`t possibly judge how good this is for the elephants because just a fraction of the enclosure can be seen on the pics. Plus a lot of other things play a role to keep captive elephants active, enrichment, herd set up ect.
It is just sort of sad that all you zoochatters hate this exhibit so much when a lot of time, money, and research went into it. They were really excited about the exhibit and I know the elephant staff and the ambassador of the exhibit (Rick Schwartz) were very pleased with how it turned out.
Yes, it was very expensive to build, and since it is California it cost way more to build. It also includes a jaguar, lion, condor, tapir, and other various hoof stock exhibits.
The exhibit has seven elephants, and the two herds will be combined within the coming weeks creating new social experiences another enriching opportunity. The utilitrees, although ugly are a brilliant concept and they are very similar to the enrichment "trees" in Phoenix, another zoo with a very progressive elephant program. This new exhibit has more enrichment than any other exhibit I have seen, and the utilitrees are probably the best form of enrichment, as they take a wild elephant's most important daily activity, eating and foraging, and turn it into an enriching experience in a captive setting. 90% of zoos simply toss the food on the ground and the elephant finishes eating in a few hours, then it stands around waiting for the next meal, and thus from being inactive the health problems come in, and this can happen in any size enclosure.
You are probably the most negative person I've ever spoken to. I'm going out on a limb as I've never visited here and don't know much about the place, but surely this has masses more space for the elephants than before deeming it one hell of a lot better and a lot more than a mere "joke"?
According to their website though this was meant to house Asian elephants? Am I getting confused with the WAP? Can someone help me...
EDIT: Ignore that, just saw that there's one African ele in the herd. Will the Africans at the WAP get both paddocks now the Asians have moved from there?
You are probably the most negative person I've ever spoken to. I'm going out on a limb as I've never visited here and don't know much about the place, but surely this has masses more space for the elephants than before deeming it one hell of a lot better and a lot more than a mere "joke"?
According to their website though this was meant to house Asian elephants? Am I getting confused with the WAP? Can someone help me...
The zoo houses 6 Asian Elephants and 1 African. The African Elephant above is Tembo and she has lived at the zoo with two Asian elephants for 25 years and has become especially close with them, therefore they didn't separate her from the two Asians.
The Wild Animal Park use to house Asian elephants up until two weeks ago when they were brought down here for the new exhibit. The zoo herd and the Wild Animal Park Asian herd will be combined within the week. The Wild Animal Park is still home to 12 African Elephants. They are the herd that was rescued from being culled in Swaziland. They have always been kept in a separate enclosure from the Asians at the Park.
Now the old Asian Elephant exhibit at the Wild Animal Park will be combined with the African yard to give the growing African family nearly 6 acres of space. I hope this helps clear your confusion!
You are probably the most negative person I've ever spoken to. I'm going out on a limb as I've never visited here and don't know much about the place, but surely this has masses more space for the elephants than before deeming it one hell of a lot better and a lot more than a mere "joke"?
According to their website though this was meant to house Asian elephants? Am I getting confused with the WAP? Can someone help me...
EDIT: Ignore that, just saw that there's one African ele in the herd. Will the Africans at the WAP get both paddocks now the Asians have moved from there?
The "joke" I was referring to is the statement made that this exhibit is a "masterpiece." Is it a huge improvement for San Diego's elephants? Yes, of course. Is it even among the 10 best elephant exhibits in the world? Not a chance. A "masterpiece?" Please......
Remember, this is the zoo that proclaims itself to be the best in the world, an opinion held by many others, including many Zoochatters. It has an obligation to do better, as the "leader" the rest of the world looks to. This effort is inarguably good for the elephants, but falls down on every other count. And educational value, thematic consistency, clarity of message, aesthetic appeal and basic good taste DO count for something beyond simply promoting animal welfare. Sorry to be so "negative," but I don't think we should settle for mediocrity...not from the "world's greatest zoo."
This exhibit is anything but mediocre. I firmly believe that nothing the San Diego Zoo will ever build will actually be good enough for you.
I think this is easily a top 10 elephant exhibit if you rate it by how nice of a home it is for the elephants. Probably one of the absolute best. The San Diego Zoo is extremely involved in elephant conservation programs, and in fact the Elephant Odyssey Ambassador just got back from Botswana where he was participating in tracking down elephants part of the conservation project SDZ is involved in. It is most definitely a masterpiece, and is the type of exhibit to expect from the world's greatest zoo. There is more than what meets the eye reduakri.
