This is the former asiatic lion indoors enclosure viewing area and the asiatic lion educational exhibit. It still serves as viewing area into the indoor big cat enclosure but also doubles as the 'Insect Forest' insect walkthrough.
My impression was that the concept works quite well. Visitors were quite captivated by the insects and discussing the animals and their behaviors in a lively and intrigued manner. Not having any barriers between yourself and the animals makes quite the difference in how you experience these animals. It also helps that some of the displayed insects are true giants - closer in size to a rat than to a mouse! Quite a few of the displayed insects are endangered rarities and the zoo plans on leaning even more into endangered species with more experience with the walkthrough concept.
How the room looked previously (not much different, save for no insect walkthrough):
Great idea!
Looks like there are some glass boxes. Are they terrariums? Do you remember what was in them?
The zoo's website also lists rose beetle, praying mantis and a millipede for the insect forest. Do they roam free or do they live in the terrariums?
Species list of the insect forest from the zoo's webseite: Siliquofera grandis, Tirachoidea biceps, Eurycantha calcarata, Eurycantha horrida, Heteropteryx dilatata, Telodeinopus aoutii, Rhombodera kirbyi, Protaetia speciosa cyanochlora, Sungaya inexpectata.
