This is one important reason that , where possible , old enclosures should not be 100% obliterated when constructing new ones.Even small remnants of old enclosures can often somehow infuse character into the new replacements.Sometimes even keeping a little part of the foundations can be enough.Strange but true.In the case of completely new zoos, it would be very desirable to incorporate a few bricks, railings , girders or whatnot from demolished enclosures in any of the great old zoos.I know that this may be moving into the realm of superstition but it seems there is often a sort of friendly spirit or ghost or whatever in some of the buildings that have proven their worth with keeping & breeding generations of given species down through the years.Just ask anybody involved in racing stables etc if they believe that the "spirit" of certain buildings is a factor in success and whether a different building faithfully copied in every respect would give the same results.If it works, use it , even if it could be labelled as "superstition". Anyway, great animal husbandry has always had an element of superstition and has never been the worse for it.Zoos demolishing fine old enclosures should try to conserve a few architectural elements to gift to any newer zoos that may be interested.
Philadelphia Zoo's 'Big Cat Falls' is a wonderful example of how, in this case a 60 year old big cat house, has been incorporated into a new complex for felines. The exhibits are excellect, naturalistic and the design of the house (bricks, etc) give it a certain charm.
