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!
Thanks for drawing my attention to this - I'd labelled this as Moa (New Zealand) rather than Elephant Bird (Madagascar). All corrected now!
The elephant birds have been extinct for at least 3 centuries, but are widely believed to have been eliminated (directly or indirectly) by increased human activity on the island. The statue in Masoala acts to highlight the fact that extinction can and will happen if we're not careful.
It looks cartoon-ish, but that could just be the angle it was photographed at. Although, illustrations I've seen have had different body proportions (for instance - the legs on the one in this photo are massive, but are supporting a small body).
