Maguari

Masoala Rainforest at Zurich 31/08/09

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This really is an exceptional exhibit. Most zoo tropical houses feel like just that - an artificial attempt at tropical planting. Masaola feels entirely natural - and very much like a real rainforest. There is rainforest-looking leaf litter and understorey - exactly what is missing from a normal tropical house. The animal stocking levels are perfect - you see plenty of birds (in particularly fodies), but not so many that it feels like an aviary rather than a forest. You also see a few reptiles and the occasional mammal. The theming is more-or-less spot on throughout (feeling very like the 'honeypot' (ie tourist-proofed!) rainforest reserves I have visited. Absolutely outstanding!

This is the bamboo grove, where some of my fellow Zoohistorica-ites saw the Alaotran Gentle Lemurs - your faithful chronicler had no such luck!
This really is an exceptional exhibit. Most zoo tropical houses feel like just that - an artificial attempt at tropical planting. Masaola feels entirely natural - and very much like a real rainforest. There is rainforest-looking leaf litter and understorey - exactly what is missing from a normal tropical house. The animal stocking levels are perfect - you see plenty of birds (in particularly fodies), but not so many that it feels like an aviary rather than a forest. You also see a few reptiles and the occasional mammal. The theming is more-or-less spot on throughout (feeling very like the \'honeypot\' (ie tourist-proofed!) rainforest reserves I have visited. Absolutely outstanding!

This is the bamboo grove, where some of my fellow Zoohistorica-ites saw the Alaotran Gentle Lemurs - your faithful chronicler had no such luck!
 
I see from photos that there are at least 3 species of lemur in this rainforest building, and I remember when I visited in 2003 that the lemurs were extremely difficult to locate. However, I think that adds to the aura of the Masoala forest, as it forces visitors to take their time and carefully search for the small mammals, lizards and birds that make their home in the rainforest. I'm sure that there will always be some visitors who charge through looking for the hotdog stand, all the time bitterly complaining about the lack of wildlife.:)
 
I was surprised by the fact that there were very few people who were not taking the building slowly and looking around them. Whenever animals did show up, they were certainly getting plenty of attention!

There are currently five species of lemur in the house - though realistically you've only got a chance of seeing three - the Red Ruffed, White-fronted and Alaotran Gentles. They also have Goodman's Mouse Lemurs (Microcebus lehilahytsara) and Greater Dwarf Lemurs (Cheirogaleus major) - both very unusual species, but as they are a) tiny and b) nocturnal, you're extremely unlikely to ever spot them. One change I'd be tempted to make would be to have a pair of each of these in the exhibits in the exhibition area. But that's only from the zoo nerd's perspective!
 

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