To me, this exhibit accomplishes the major goals of what an exhibit should. Those are very good care/room/enrichment for animals, very good views of the animals, and some educational value.
BTW, not seen much mention of the pool on here, which is top notch.
Anyway, I think that the exhibit is way too much metal and tiles and not enough immersion, even without the utilitrees. The elephant barn looks like one of the worst of its kind. Size-wise it seems fine.
I also think it is a shame that the zoo will focus on Asian elephants when the exhibit so clearly looks more like a dry African savannah.
Anyway, I think that the exhibit is way too much metal and tiles and not enough immersion, even without the utilitrees. The elephant barn looks like one of the worst of its kind. Size-wise it seems fine.
I also think it is a shame that the zoo will focus on Asian elephants when the exhibit so clearly looks more like a dry African savannah.
I honestly couldn't care less what the elephant house looks like, however, it's certainly not one of the worst of its kind in terms of what it's there for.
Other than the utiltrees and the house, this exhibit is similiar to the one at the WAP that the Asians used to be in, except it's longer and has a much better pool and much better viewing opportunities. Yet that exhibit is typically praised.
I will say that if I did the exhibit, I would make some changes, but I do think it's good overall, and the side exhibits are quite good. Plus the overall layout of the exhibit is cool.
@mweb08: You must understand that what I am critizising here is the exhibit and its layout, not the keepers or the caring of the elephants. I have not seen any pictures of the exhibit in the WAP so that I will not comment on.
Good exhibits are built primarily for the animals but they have other functions to perform as well. One of them is educating this visitors about the animals and, just as important, about the animals' natural habitats. This is where Elephant Odessey fails utterly and totally.
Well EO was never meant to educate people on the elephants natural habitat, and I don't think most asian elephant exhibts do a good job of that. Nor do most animal exhibits period.
They went for a different educational purpose, one that I actually prefer, but I can see why some don't like it. I'm very into extinct animals, and think it's cool to know what the area I live in used to be like.
I don't think the theme should be that big of a negative however one feels about it though, nor do I think the utilitrees and the elephant house appearance should be a big enough negative to think the exhibit as a whole is poor or greatly disappointing. But that's just me.
Let me disagree: exhibits ought not to be primarily for the animals (sorry Toddy). A zoo is not a rescue center.
Exhibits need to be equally for animal well-being, visitor enjoyment and education, keeper efficiency and maintainability. If it fails in any one area, it fails. (After all, zoos are organizations with organizational goals or Mission Statement to meet.) There's no reason to select one goal instead of another. They are all achievable.
EO may be great for the animals (who knows) but it has no beauty (the more photos get posted, the more obvious it is), and humans have been sticking animals in uninspiring settings for a very long time. Why not do better? It's not hard.
I think you have reached a very vital point here Zooplantman! It seems that on this forum the debate "aesthesics vs. functionality" has become a popular one. But why choose? Like you say, it is possible to have both (and also throw in education as well)...
We all know examples of exhibits where these features are beautifully combined so why should we settle for less, especially with a zoo like San Diego?
Other than the utilitrees and the location/appearance of the elephant house, this exhibit is not really different appearance wise than the WAP's elephant exhibits, which are typically praised. And as I said, it provides much better views of the elephants, a bunch of solid to very good exhibits of animals next to the exhibit, and a much better pool for the elephants.
Obviously everyone has different tastes, but the utilitrees, elephant house, and metal barriers dividing the yards don't ruin the exhibit for me. I guess I don't need to have the feeling that I'm seeing these animals in their natural habitat, especially asian elephants which I don't think are ever shown in a large naturalistic exhibit from what I've seen.
