But its only on zoochat where I read where everyone is disgusted by this magnificent exhibit. Every other blog I have read there has been nothing but positive feedback about the exhibit. The staff does not have to show that they are excited about the exhibit to the community, in this case they did because this was a groundbreaking elephant exhibit.
It's been said several times here before and I'll mention it again, people will always critisize new exhibits, then again that makes us animal lovers! They only are against it for the welfare of the animals that are/ going to live in it and thats a great thing.
It's been said several times here before and I'll mention it again, people will always critisize new exhibits, then again that makes us animal lovers! They only are against it for the welfare of the animals that are/ going to live in it and thats a great thing.
I guarantee you the elephants that will call this enclosure home have a great life, especially because SDZ keepers are some of the best, most caring keepers around. Nearly everyone who is criticizing this exhibit are complaining about how ugly it is, but the more important thing is what the lives for the elephants who will be calling this enclosure home for the rest of their lives will be like.
I saw this exhibit, today. Jeez, it is massive and you can view the elephants from everywhere, even from eating at the Restaurant (which has probably the best zoo food in the entire zoo). They did not have the Lion and Jaguar exhibits up yet, but they did look suitable for the animals. The Jaguar one has multiple branches and a nice stream and the female you could see up-close in the bedrooms. As for as the elephant exhibit goes, the utilitrees aren't as ugly as I thought they would be. They do provide nice shade for the animals and they also hang barrels that the animals have to shake to get hay out and a peanut feeder at the bottom. The Acacia at the top is barely noticeable right now but it only serves as an aesthetic purpose. In the SA animal enclosures, there was plants put in for the animals, I don't think the zoo wanted to spend money on plants that would be destroyed. The Zoo is also a botanical garden so I doubt they want to waste away any pants. They try to make up for it with large artificial rocks (who cares if they're artificial or real? it makes no difference...) and large dead trees and stumps. Zookeepers also hide hay around the exhibit at the beginning of the day and move them around the exhibit throughout different parts of the day. I went and they were switching the elephants around they also had a keeper talk. The elephant care center is amazing and probably one of the greatest facilities for elephants I've seen.
I guarantee you the elephants that will call this enclosure home have a great life, especially because SDZ keepers are some of the best, most caring keepers around. Nearly everyone who is criticizing this exhibit are complaining about how ugly it is, but the more important thing is what the lives for the elephants who will be calling this enclosure home for the rest of their lives will be like.
Yes, the quality of life for the elephants is very important--but that's the same argument used by advocates for elephant sanctuaries. Zoos--particularly leading zoos like San Diego--need to do much more than just provide good care for their animals. They have an obligation to serve their visiting public and to exemplify conservation practices--things sanctuaries don't need to concern themselves with. This confused exhibit doesn't seem to do more than (possibly) meeting the needs of the animals.
As far as meeting the eyes of the observer, guests were well entertained by the elephants when I went today. The keepers there seemed to be actively involved with the animals and there was tons of animals on the side for guests to look at. Its very easy to spot the elephants from many places around the exhibit. The elephants were always walking around and doing something so I must give this exhibit the thumbs up.
It was really crowded today too because it was Memorial day, I'll post some pictures but my camera is a little funky.
As far as meeting the eyes of the observer, guests were well entertained by the elephants when I went today. The keepers there seemed to be actively involved with the animals and there was tons of animals on the side for guests to look at. Its very easy to spot the elephants from many places around the exhibit. The elephants were always walking around and doing something so I must give this exhibit the thumbs up.
It was really crowded today too because it was Memorial day, I'll post some pictures but my camera is a little funky.
Well, I have not seen it in person, so I would like to see some photos from other vantage points to get a feel for the entire exhibit. If other areas look more natural, I may have to retract what I am about to say.
Based on what I've seen, however, this exhibit is an absolute monstrosity. Reduakari is 100% right - it looks like an oil rig in the desert. Of course functionality is important and of course the elephants need to be enriched - everyone on this site agrees with that. But a zoo if for visitors as well as animals, so aestheticsdomatter(unless it's a private rescue or breeding center, closed to the public).
A good zoo's purpose is NOT just to care for captive animals, it is to inspire people to conserve their wild counterparts. I realize San Diego does a lot of work with conservation projects in the field, but how does this exhibit inspire their visitors to do the same? Asian elephants are threatened by deforestation, but this exhibit says to me "that's ok - elephants do fine in clearcut areas!"
But the only zoo that REALLY inspired me to help conservation projects was Howletts, and we all know how that looks. Let's be honest, most people wouldn't feel inspired to help conservation even if it looked like Asia, DAK is a prime example; How many people go there to feel good about helping conservation work and to learn? Hardly the majority, as most go there because it's a Disney park and to see animals.
