Agree completely. For a zoo with a reputation and budget like San Diego it is inexcusable. When they built Elephant Odyssey, they had to move the giraffes to this mesa. But they built an exhibit that was even worse than the former (and much older) subpar exhibit.
Clearly they did not have the space and budget for a proper exhibit and IMO they should have removed them from the zoo and encouraged people to visit the Safari Park to see giraffes. I presume someone decided giraffes are too popular to not have at the zoo and they would keep them no matter what, even if it means throwing up a chain link fence around a small plot of barren ground.
Along the right-hand side of the zoo Elephant Odyssey opened in 2009, Outback opened in 2013 and Africa Rocks opens in 2017...and looking at the map it seems logical that the next massive project will be the redevelopment of the Urban Jungle loop and/or the adjacent Bear Canyon steep pathway. The zoo leaders will be well aware that many of the exhibits in that area have become eyesores that need to be updated.
They continue to breed giraffes, as well, with two births within the last year. Two of the herd members are getting old, but there already is a male present to replace Silver as the dominant male when Silver passes.
