Even with some major glitches that really should have been sorted out by now (Malayan tapirs, anyone?), Lied Jungle is still one of the truly great human-made rainforest experiences.
An excerpt from my 2012 review:
Lied Jungle – This rainforest complex is outstanding, and if anything I was even more impressed than on my 2008 visit. It is twenty years old this year (opened in 1992) and its age actually plays into its favour as the aroma of a jungle is created and nourished. It is 1.5 acres in size and one of the largest rainforest buildings ever constructed, and the hanging vines, dirt pathways, wet swinging bridges and dark caves combine to immerse visitors. Three continents are represented (Asia, Africa and South America) and there are plenty of primates jumping from limb to limb in a variety of exhibits. Black howler monkeys, blue monkeys, Francois langurs, DeBrazza monkeys, dourocouli monkeys, white-handed gibbons, squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, cotton-top tamarins, golden lion tamarins, black spider monkeys, red-backed bearded saki monkeys and others all catch the eye as they move with energy and verve in their treetop homes. Spot-necked and small-clawed otters have large pools to swim in, Philippine crocodiles have a deep pool, and there are almost 100 species within the 80-foot (8-storey) building.
I’ve seen so many tropical rainforest buildings in zoos that I think I’m up to at least 30 of them at this point and Lied Jungle is in my opinion clearly the best. Like all things in life there are deficiencies if one wishes to nitpick, and for instance both the Malayan and Baird's tapirs have too little land, and while one pygmy hippo had lots of space with its monkey acquaintances the other two hippos also had a very small land area. The clouded leopard has been removed in favour of Indian crested porcupines, and other than the tapir and hippo enclosures I’m not sure that there is much to quibble over in terms of space allotted to the inhabitants. The fact that the jungle trails pathway is made out of dirt and contains real pools and rocks adds authenticity, I enjoyed the fact that I had to keep ducking to miss being hit by hanging vines and branches, and that there was a tiny bridge that was soaking wet from a waterfall. The entire building actually reeked of a rainforest, the attention to detail is amazing, and even though I listed some of the larger mammals and 11 species of primates the number of reptiles, amphibians and even fish is staggering.
To top off the exciting time in the jungle we ate lunch in the Durham Treetops Restaurant that looks into the white-handed gibbon exhibit and across the steamy jungle landscape via vast viewing windows. Treetops must be one of the very best zoo restaurants simply for that view, and there is also a range of food from hot burgers n’ fries off the grill to more healthy choices. A baby gibbon was harassing its parents as we polished off our meals and headed back into zoological bliss.
