This pool is next on the list to be renovated, perhaps after the current elephant trails expansion, and yet the california sealions and brown pelicans already have a huge amount of space. The zoo wants to update the look of the exhibit and spruce up the surroundings for both pinnipeds and visitors.
The new American Trail section of the zoo cost an awful lot of money and while it looks great it also doesn't appear to be that much different and an average visitor might not even notice many changes. There is essentially the same line-up of species and I kind of wish that the zoo had spent money on perhaps refurbishing the Reptile House, Small Mammal House or Great Ape House. Does anyone know what is up next for the National Zoo after Elephant Trails is finished in 2013?
According to another post on this forum by gerenuk, they will focus on bringing new species to the Cheetah Conservation Center, such as Red River Hogs, Sitatunga, Lesser Kudu, African Crowned Cranes, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, and Ruppell's Griffon Vultures. A shame they don't bring giraffes back in, as it's one of the superstar species they have, and it's been a while since they had them.
According to another post on this forum by gerenuk, they will focus on bringing new species to the Cheetah Conservation Center, such as Red River Hogs, Sitatunga, Lesser Kudu, African Crowned Cranes, Abyssinian Ground Hornbills, and Ruppell's Griffon Vultures. A shame they don't bring giraffes back in, as it's one of the superstar species they have, and it's been a while since they had them.
I asked about whether giraffes might be back at the zoo on the National Zoo's Facebook page last year and they said that they would like to get giraffes eventually but there are no current plans.
Well, they did need to update the pools in order to save money and water. Did they need to renovate the land area and the trails? Maybe not. I do agree I'd love to see one of the houses updated in the near future. The Great Ape House would get my vote.
