The only problem is that section 1.4.2. of the Elephant Management Standards, established by the AZA, states:
"Outdoor yards must have at least 1,800 sq. ft (167.2 sq. m) for a single adult individual and an additional 900 sq. ft (83.6 sq. m) must be added for each additional animal (AZA 1997). If this space is the only location for exercise, then it is recommended that the space per elephant should be even greater."
At Toledo, there was only a tiny outdoor yard. Combine that with section 2.3.1 which says, "Institutions should strive to hold no less than three female elephants wherever possible".
This meant the elephant exhibit had to be A.) renovated asap, B.) ask the AZA for a variance, or C.) moving the elephants to another zoo. With the birth of Louie and the public falling in love with him, moving the Elephant program certainly would not be an option.
Applying for a variance would have been a tough sell to the AZA, as the YMCA was still operating at the time. The city wasn't in the budget mess that it's in now and wouldn't allow the sale of one of its parks.
Thus, hasty plans were made to renovate and expand. Boo.
Toledo should have moved the elephants to the space used to build the African Savannah,which for such a new exhibit is not very good.This would have allowed for more space and a lot more creativity in the design of the exhibit.They then could have converted the old elephant area to house other forest dwellers such as okapi,pygmy hippos or red river hogs.Thus leaving the original look of this area which in our opinion is the best in the zoo.
According to the zoo's website (linked via Wikipedia.com)... it's a 360,000-gallon pool. The system cleans 8,000 gallons of water every 90 minutes.
I remember reading about the concept of this first-of-its-kind exhibit. The article stated the biggest hurdle wouldn't be the question of 'Would the Hippo's break the glass?', but rather 'What's the best way to keep the water clear?' The article went on to say the filtration design was a huge under-taking and one that was spared no expense.
As to why Coe designed merged pools? I think he wanted to see as little barriers as possible between the Hippos and the Elephants. From the right vantage point, you can watch the Hippos and Elephants without a blocked view. (There are several cable-barrier fences underwater that prevent the two species from entering eachother's exhibit.) This view is quite stunning!
However, after the phase two Elephant exhibit expansion is complete, this view will be blocked by a walking bridge. See the picture here...
I'm not so sure Jon Coe designed this. One of the spin off firms (Portico) from Mr. Coe's original zoo design firm (Jones and Jones) takes credit for this complex. It was built after Coe left Jones and Jones to form his own firm. Regardless of who originally designed it, the renovation plans look terrible. But there is no doubt that the original elephant area was way too small.
I'm not so sure Jon Coe designed this. One of the spin off firms (Portico) from Mr. Coe's original zoo design firm (Jones and Jones) takes credit for this complex. It was built after Coe left Jones and Jones to form his own firm. Regardless of who originally designed it, the renovation plans look terrible. But there is no doubt that the original elephant area was way too small.
Jones and Jones was responsible for the original. I believe Jon was involved (according to his own website) along with others. The Portico Group has done the current renovation.
Jones and Jones was responsible for the original. I believe Jon was involved (according to his own website) along with others. The Portico Group has done the current renovation.
I wouldn't judge by the sketchy, hastily designed plans. I'm judging by the progress of the project. Phase 1 is complete. It's a hot mess of steel and cable barriers. I can only imagine how phase 2 turns out. Yippy.
