With the addition of Sumatran and Malayan Tigers, Jacksonville seems even more ideal to Cat enthusiasts. You can also see Jaguars, African Lions, Amur Leopards and Florida Panthers.
What are some other peoples opinions on underwater viewing for tigers (and jaguars in a few places)? I can only think of a handful of times that I've seen tigers enter the water from all of my zoo visits and never seen it in an exhibit that has this feature. Have other people seen it in person and do you think it is worthwhile?
@DavidBrown: I have yet to see the tigers in the water, but it was only 77 degrees F out yesterday, once the summer heat comes I'm sure the pool will be used more often.
@dean: At this moment there are no fish. If the zoo does decide to include fish in the pool they would be nowhere here the size of a pacu or peacock bass the jaguars use to have, probably some small and cheap fish species.
@PAT: I think the underwater viewing is worth it if a zoo has a cat like what Salsa the jaguar was. When the pacu and peacock bass were in there see would go in the pool all of the time to hunt the fish. Sadly see was too efficient at what she was doing and the fish was remove, thus removing the incentive for here to go in the pool.
I believe the entire concept for the project is visitors finding tigers. The trail system allows the animals freedom to roam and visitors ought to get the occasional surprise of spying tigers in places other then the enclosures.
As to swimming tigers: in some zoos (Houston comes to mind) the tigers seem to be training for the Olympics in swimming
I believe that landscaping/planting was completed last week.
But Jacksonville is in Florida and things will grow quickly.
(I should state that I had nothing professionally to do with this project but have attended a couple of presentations about it last year and do have friends at the zoo)
I wasn't able to take good shots on my last visit but the exhibit is now covered in foliage. By the end of storm season in September it will be nicely overgrown.
@Eagle: Sorry, but Zooplantman is right. I have seen this exhibit a month ago. And although it is not as "unique" as it is celebrated in some medias (and from the Jax Zoo side) it is very good. Beside the point that the plants will grow quickly in Florida, there is AT LEAST another spacious one for the tigers (can't remember if there are more or if those two can be divided).
