I'm not sure that there is actually a black-footed cat in this exhibit anymore as I constantly have the same experience that you do mstickmanp. I think that snowleopard may have planted this one
Seriously though, the cat used to sleep in a little hammock outside and could be seen fairly reliably, but I have not seen it for the last few years.
It is an outdoor exhibit, but it is covered by mesh. Probably one of the best exhibits for this species. But the one time I went there since they had these, I saw the two cats briefly right at opening time and then they went indoors and never re-emerged. I managed to get a couple photos, but nothing outstanding.
The best place (in the U.S.) I have found to see and photograph this species is the San Antonio Zoo. Although they hide in their nighthouse a lot also, they seem to be active during the last hour. If you have a telephoto lens, you can blur out the fence and get some nice shots there. (I will be returning to San Antonio this February and look forward to getting more black-footed cat photos).
