While Tembo Trail is probably a vast improvement on the old elephant exhibit, the barn in the background dominates the landscape and the habitat does not even seem to be in the same ballpark as the truly great elephant enclosures in American zoos as it lacks naturalism. Does anyone know the exact dimensions of the exhibit, because the last thing I heard was that it was on the small side in comparison to the many multi-acre elephant habitats that have been built in recent years. However, the amount of enrichment offered, as well as the sandy floors inside the barn, are terrific additions.
By the way, thank you for posting all of the photos of Tembo Trail!
We tried to get info on the size of both the outdoor as well as indoor exhibits but those we spoke with did not know.Please keep in mind that while the yards might be a tad smaller than the average new elephant yards the barn is bigger than most.We can easily compare Tembo Trail to Elephant Crossing here in Cleveland and would give Cleveland the nod on the outdoor yards and Toledo on its indoor.
No it houses only Elephants.A bull named Louie,2 females Renee and Twiggy as well as 1yr old calf Lucas.The Toledo Zoo would like to acquire several more breeding age females.There is room for another bull but this is a move that the zoo says is unlikely.
Actually, it does hold a colony of naked mole rats, but that obviously hardly accounts for any space.
I was really impressed with the renovation and give them credit for successfully reconfiguring the space which they had to work with. In the "battle" of recent elephant renovation, I think the edge for the indoor space does go to Toledo over Cleveland. I was hoping for much more of a spacious indoor common area (a la Columbus) than what was given.
The article below states that the $15 million Tembo Trail expansion has resulted in an African Elephant yard of 37, 680 sq. ft., which is 0.86 of an acre. Also, the barn is 8,970 sq. ft. in size. The grand total of indoor and outdoor space for the elephants is 46,650 sq. ft. (as also quoted in the article), which equals just barely over an acre. By today's modern standards Toledo Zoo has a downright puny elephant enclosure.
It seems that Toledo Zoo's new elephant complex is a stop-gap solution but at a cost of $15 million it is unfortunately a permanent area that will eventually be recognized as being far too small. It is kind of astonishing to consider that the elephant zone is so new and yet so tiny!
This exhibit must also be acknowledged at having the most ridiculously high perimeter fence I have ever seen! The fence really dominates all observation points and l cannot imagine why it is necessary to be so high.
This exhibit must also be acknowledged at having the most ridiculously high perimeter fence I have ever seen! The fence really dominates all observation points and l cannot imagine why it is necessary to be so high.
