My local zoo did the same thing and it completely ruined the exhibit. They took one exhibit that was barely adequate size and made two exhibits that are too small (and much more ugly with the large fence in the center.
San Diego Tiger River looks nowhere near as good as it did when it first opened and now I fear it will look even worse. Although on the plus side there will be a tiger visible in the lower half as in the past they tended to stay at the very top which was hard to see.
If you want to see tigers, go to Safari Park instead as the new exhibit there is outstanding.
I do wonder why there is such emphasis on keeping adult Tigers separate these days - unless it is to have tighter control of breeding. Carefully introduced male and female Tigers get on very well, and some pairs are touchingly affectionate to each other.
I feel like the inactivity solution could have been solved with refurbishing the vegetation in the exhibit. I remember the animals coming down from the top a lot more when the exhibit was more lush. Does it seem logical to suggest that the tiger's prefer their holding over the exhibit due to the lack of privacy in their enclosure?
The significant erosion, addition of what look like keeper safety rails and lack of vegetation have certainly taken their toll on what once was a great exhibit.
I have no idea what the exhibit will look like after renovations. I heard it is expected to take 4-6 weeks. I will post photo as soon as it is complete.
