@Newzooboy It was actually quite complicated what happened. There were two sea lion exhibits - this one and another one in the old aquatics area where the reptile house is now. Those sea lions moved to the new sea lion exhibit that you saw, but then apparently they were able to get out of the new sea lion exhibit, so they were moved back to the old sea lion exhibits and then left the zoo.
For several years the new pinniped exhibit had only harbor seals. They have since retrofitted the new seal exhibit and brought back sea lions.
@snowleopard It may be a water conservation measure. Not sure. This whole complex is fairly derelict. Most of the displays in the adjoining cave aren't even visible now.
If I read the master plan maps correctly this area will eventually become a large California exhibit complex, so it may be that it is just biding time until it gets bulldozed. It would be nice if they would fill the moat with dirt and make it into a reptile exhibit or butterfly garden or something in the meantime, as it is aesthetically very unpleasant.
There were a few bits a pieces in the complex (the Ringtail and some Gila Monsters I think), but not much........I have to say I was confused by it, and walked around a few times as it seemed it should be more........
@Newzooboy This whole zone was built in the late 1980s as a southwestern themed children's zoo. There were mountain lions where there is (last time I checked) a badger now. The cave exhibit had several cave-dwelling animal species (bats, barn owl, skunk). That theme was gradually abandoned and the complex has steadily emptied. Eventually this area will be replaced with California condor, grizzly bears, and other native California exhibits. That is likely still several years away though.
Yes, it is an American badger. I haven't gone by the exhibit in the last couple months, so not sure if it is still there- if you didn't see it, maybe it isn't even on exhibit. Before the badger there was a North American porcupine in there, and ocelots for many years before that.
