In my memory this exhibit previously housed Silver fox, Patagonian mara, crowned crane and capybara. At the time the exhibit was moated, but the moat seems to have since dried up. The plastic hippos reference the past holding of hippos at the zoo.
@DavidBrown It isn't and hasn't ever really been a good zoo, but in fact they have improved over the years. When I first visited in the late 1990's and early 2000's it was pretty horrible, now at least they a smaller number of naff exhibits, a fair amount of acceptable ones and some decent exhibits. That said, there is still a lot to be improved and in the last few years that process seems to have halted a bit (and Covid will only make that worse). But the new management that took over in 2019 seems to mean well with improving the place.
I think it is a little over the top to say the entire zoo is in disrepair and decrepitude, but it is true that there are still too many areas that are.
Thanks for the reply, Kevin. I'm glad to hear that the zoo has some good bits. The photo gallery is full of pictures of broken windows, abandoned exhibits, barren aviaries and reptile tanks, rat infestation, etc., that do give it a rather dismal look.
