If they're as hard to find as you make out, then I'm sorry but it cannot be great exhibit. A world-class enclosure, maybe, but not exhibit. A great exhibit shows the animal well. You will never (and with something as shy as a duiker, should never) be able to see each animal at each visit; but if it's that hard to spot the animal then from a visitor point of view it may as well be off-show.
If they're as hard to find as you make out, then I'm sorry but it cannot be great exhibit. A world-class enclosure, maybe, but not exhibit. A great exhibit shows the animal well. You will never (and with something as shy as a duiker, should never) be able to see each animal at each visit; but if it's that hard to spot the animal then from a visitor point of view it may as well be off-show.
This enclosure used to also house DeBrazza guenons, and as a beautifully landscaped mixed species exhibit it was truly great. It is much diminished now that the zoo removed the monkeys (after repeated escapes), as the duikers are very hard to see and not all that exciting even when visible (to most people anyway). Long before that, the exhibit showcased a group of Lion-tailed macaques, which were fantastic (and significantly thinned out the vegetation, improving chances of viewing). But they also left the exhibit pretty much at will, and are now exhibited in a (very nice) fully-netted enclosure.
Thanks reduakari - based on the photos I've seen this would be a much better primate exhibit (with the resulting higher numbers and a more active, less shy species) than small antelope exhibit. I also agree that mixing something with duikers is a good idea - they're so shy that it's nice to have something that's a bit more likely to show in there with them.
The lion-tailed macaque exhibit was built in the early 1990's and is simply brilliant, as can be seen from photos in the gallery. All of the primate enclosures at the Woodland Park Zoo (even the gorilla and orang exhibits) are densely planted and incredibly lush. The orangs have high, thick trees to climb, which is practically unheard of in most major zoos. As far as this red-flanked duiker enclosure is concerned, even in 2008 the off-show DeBrazza guenons were re-introduced only to escape within hours. Most people are content to watch the red ruffed lemurs in the neighbouring island exhibit. However, the joy of actually seeing a duiker is incredible for most visitors, and here is a photo of one as it ran across the enclosure:
If they're as hard to find as you make out, then I'm sorry but it cannot be great exhibit. A world-class enclosure, maybe, but not exhibit. A great exhibit shows the animal well. You will never (and with something as shy as a duiker, should never) be able to see each animal at each visit; but if it's that hard to spot the animal then from a visitor point of view it may as well be off-show.
I have to agree with this. We sometimes like to rank an exhibit while empty(or without a visible animal) and don't consider the extremely important factor that is being able to clearly see the animal often enough.
This looks great for the animal, but not elite for visitors.
Thank you snowleopard for the great Woodland Park Zoo photos, I was there two weeks ago and loved it, I have just edited my photos and posting most of them would be redundant, but I will post my photo of a real live moving duiker! I loved this exhibit for the duikers, it is by accident the best small antelope exhibit I've ever seen! And there were several other visitors there who loved it too and were excited to see them.
@geomorph: I'm glad that you really like this exhibit, as with a little patience it is possible to be rewarded with seeing a red-flanked duiker as it strolls through the undergrowth. Much like all the exhibits at Woodland Park Zoo there is the feeling that the animals could simply disappear off into the jungle/forest at a moment's notice. Also, upload your photos! I have 1,700 from this zoo, but when it is one of the best around who cares how many great shots there are?
