When so many European zoos are building big cat exhibits that can be up to an acre or two in size, this tiger enclosure comes across as disappointing. Looking down on the cats in their mainly cement yard, in what is a very tiny exhibit, is a sign that the zoo will one day bulldoze it and build something much better. Fingers crossed...
@snowleopard it's true. Strip away the murals and put the viewer at ground level, and it's comparable, or not even as nice, to many roadside zoo tiger enclosures. I know that's harsh, and the care the animals are given is better than most roadside zoos, but the habitat is pretty rough at this point. Again, comparing it to ZooTampa, they are fairly similar. ZT does a better job at hiding the walls by using mock rock, but overall the habitats are comparable, ZT's is a bit larger, but not much.
@snowleopard With the zoo's new Asia development, their tiger'll move out of this pit and into a meshed-over space complete with overhead passages. I believe the tigers and their orangutans/siamangs will able to fully rotate within their habitat spaces, but don't quote me on that.
@snowleopard It really does look nice. The elephant area was under construction when I was there. This expansion will help make the zoo a good day visit zoo IMO. As of now it is at best 1/2 day. The Steller's sea eagle aviary is particularly interesting.
