It is a little surprising to see some metal cages (baboons, leopards, caracals) in the African zone, as most of the exhibits are more modern, immersive habitats rather than old-school enclosures. To be honest the 3 cages that I mentioned are all quite spacious but I'd still be shocked to see them standing in 15 years time.
I believe the master plan does show removal of each of these cages to make way for improvements. This one specifically will be removed once the elephants get moved to their new exhibit and the Veldt area is renovated....which I think will make this zoo have one of the best African zoogeographic zones in the country.
I agree, but there is some serious competition from Dallas, and the nearby Kansas City, but with great Australian, South American, and North American sections, I feel that this zoo is better.
You are very right, both of those zoos have excellent African zones. I guess if you really like African species exhibits the midwest if a great place to live!