@wild boar No, this is a new addition to the left side of the indoor viewing shelter. The other outdoor viewing area faces the Tufted Deer/Red-Crowned Crane exhibit, which takes up about two thirds of the old Dhole exhibit
@Dhole dude, it looks like the renovations made to accommodate the new species were pretty well done. What are your thoughts, having actually seen them?
Despite my initial assessment of the quality of the changes, I am personally still very disappointed about the whole project because of what it replaced.
@wild boar I am thoroughly impressed and pleased this exhibit. The zoo did an excellent job furnishing and decorating these exhibits to make them look very modern and aesthetically pleasing, while also making both exhibits some of the best for their respective species in thw country. IMO, the new Red Panda exhibit is one of, if not the best of its kind I’ve ever seen! They also did a great job with the signage, keeping it in a similar style to the rest on the Northern Trail. My one complaint is that the dividing fence between the two exhibits is a little too noticeable, and looks pretty ugly.
While I can understand the dissatisfaction, it would have been almost impossible for the zoo to bring back Dholes. The population is nearing total collapse, and it’s probably best for what remains to be consolidated rather than further spread out. I think the zoo did the best they possibly could given the circumstances, and at lest we got to see two new species added alongside the Red Pandas.
@Dhole dude, just by looking at your photographs, I had thought the red panda enclosure in particular looked like it might be one of the best, at least of the ones I'm aware of. I'm happy that my initial impressions were confirmed!
Aside from budgetary constraints, there really isn't any reason why it would be unfeasible to import a small pack of dholes from a European zoo. There are more permits involved because they are considered injurious wildlife, but they were imported by the Minnesota Zoo in the past, so it could have easily happened again.
