empty area in asian trail

this area is quite large, as it backs the asco moat. there are many options for viewing areas. there's already that block wall for containment on one side, chain-link fencing could be used and hidden with all the greenery. horses would make the most sense. if they had the coin, could be separated into a few habitats for tigers, as well..

Having closely followed the development of the entire Asia Trail/Elephant Trail exhibit from its earliest beginnings, I can tell you the majority of the complex is a disaster. It's a long story of corruption and bad management, which has led to a cavalcade of other problems.

In regard to the general area in the photo, some history:the area originally housed Malayan tapirs, Rheeve's muntjacs, bongos, Andean condors, Saurus cranes, and the Australia House collection (Australasia to be specific, with red and grey kangaroos, emus, New Guinea singing dogs, Matschie's tree kangaroos, short beaked echidna, Australian brush turkey, and various reptiles and fish). Many of those species, as well as Bactrian camels, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, and Indian rhinos that were thrown out for the elephant exhibit, were Asian and could've been placed in this area (many other major, non-Asian species were also thrown out - a total loss of around 40 species, some major. The giant salamanders were the only new species brought in). Through the early years, ideas floated up for Indian rhino and takin exhibits, but those were back in the early 2000s and probably long changed. The takin proposal was for the area behind the sloth bears (the sloth bear building was originally supposed to be open to the public, too), the rhinos were supposed to go somewhere by the Bird House, and this area was supposed to be even more elephant golf course - er, I mean, exhibit.

I'm hoping, if the entire exhibit isn't bulldozed someday, that Indian rhinos be brought back and housed in part of the current elephant exhibits, with this hillside being used to bring back some other species lost like the tapirs, muntjacs, and/or Bactrian camels.

And yes, the Small Mammal House was recently renovated and (thank god) is not being torn down. It being historical prevents its destruction, though the zoo brutally mutilated the historic Elephant House, so something like that could sadly happen one day. What is at risk of being destroyed is the Great Ape House and the popular O-Line. A master plan a few years ago proposed destroying the building and exhibits in favor of creating a 3rd visitor center. However, the building and exhibits could much more easily be renovated, the zoo wouldn't lose even more major species, and what the hell does the zoo need a 3rd visitor center for? I pointed this out at a meeting held on the matter and the proposal hasn't been brought up since. Now the next planned projects at the zoo are unrelated to the Great Apes or Asia Trail.

So I take you're unimpressed by the new elephant exhibit? Would you have preferred that the elephants stayed in their smaller yards and didn't have the opportunity to walk up the hill towards the bird house? And would you have preferred that the elephant house stay in its historical form, unfit, too small, and outdated for elephants in a modern zoo? I'm personally proud of the advancements Smithsonian has made for their elephants, and more zoos should follow. Sure, they lost a few species, some major, but the new enclosures are an overall benefit for the zoo and I'm glad they did it.

~Thylo

the elephant area is not a black eye for the Zoo. it is far better than cramped cells of years prior. so Zoos collections dwindle as animals are given more space and better husbandry. it is for the better. the backwards thinking of how Zoos used to have this, that or whatever makes them better, is horrible. better species management which includes captive populatin is far greater than postage stamps cells and a thousand species. if you're all for back then, instead of now and the future, so be it. cherish those memories, as they are just that, memories. back then, eating bacon and eggs, and having steak daily was to promote strength and good diet. look how long those people lived or lives were prolonged due to medicine and hospital stay. miracles do happen, but the miracle that is asia trails, is for the better.

i'am not 100% sure but i think this is where the new one horned rhino exhibit was supposed to be as part of phase 2 of the asia trails. i don't know why they never built it

dcpandafan said:

i'am not 100% sure but i think this is where the new one horned rhino exhibit was supposed to be as part of phase 2 of the asia trails. i don't know why they never built it

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Money.

~Thylo

ThylacineAlive said:

Money.

~Thylo

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oh thats sucks

I wonder if they ever had any plans for that area.