Blackduiker
Well-Known Member
Blackduiker
My apologies to my fellow ZooChat members in the U.K. for using this thread for an American zoo. I enjoyed the topic so much, I forgot it was under Europe and not the General Forum.
Los Angeles Zoo:
1.
Lose all the Round Houses: They've served their purpose and that ended in 1970; the current zoo opened in 1966. It's time to come into the 21st century with every species displayed in them and create the barless/wireless outdoor habitats our Southern California climate would welcome.
2.
Revamp all perimeter enclosures: The old rundown fencing is pathetic and needs to go! More natural barriers, even new fencing, camouflaged by lush vegetation, would help for starters. The current Greater Eland, Red River Hog, Ostrich, Calamian Deer, Steenbok, and just about everything else up there is atrocious! And this has basically been the case since they tried exhibiting Cheetahs up there, in the now greatly reduced hillside exhibit that last held Steenbok, way back when the zoo first opened. If nothing else, why not a large modern hillside aviary there for one of the zoos raptor species? With maybe an elevated viewing platform?
3.
Begin the first phase of the much talked about African section revamp: Sorely needed for the Lions, Giraffes, Bongos, Okapis, Gerenuks, Hippos, Giant Elands, and small primates. I'm talking about leveling virtually everything in existance their before Chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains; including expanding the Campo Gorilla Reserve to its originally planned three enclosures, adding the mature trees that were promised. Including a large immersion, multi-species rainforest and large acreage Savannah. This would encompass the entire space from the upper Round Houses adjacent to the Chimpanzees, down to the current North American section, which could be relocated to the once proposed Swan Lake/Meerkat/Hillside area near the front entrance.
4.
A total redesign of the current South American section: After the completion of Rainforest of the Americas, this entire area should be redesigned for the remaining non-Rainforest occupants. Those suggested for state-of-the-art habitats would be Jaguars, Andean Condors, Maned Wolves, Mountain Tapirs, etc. Each with greatly enlarged space, lush vegetation, and natural barriers.
5.
An expansion of the Asian Rainforest: A complete overhaul of everything beyond the Francois' Langur habitat. This would include much enlarged habitats for the Sumatran Tigers and Indian Rhinos. Along with possibly reacquiring one of the Asian bear species; no longer housing the Hippos in this area, and moving the American Black Bears. And relocating the Markhors to the newly landscaped hillside habitats.
6.
Remodeling the Children's Zoo Cave: This cave space would once again become a showcase for live nocturnal animals. Possibly redesigned for several bat species.
7.
Relocate the North American section to the front of the zoo: Including a once planned California Condor Aviary in the 1990s master plan. It's a shame that one of the original pioneers in the breeding program to save this species from the brink of extinction, still has not put a single pair on exhibit for the public to admire. Though everywhere else they can be seen by the public. Isn't the same argument for exhibiting Elephants in zoos, "to acquaint the public to their plight" also true with this endangered treasure.
8.
Add a third walk-through aviary: A much enlarged, more modern aviary; increasing the number of birds displayed here.
9.
Bring Penguins back to the zoo.
10.
Seek more land for expansion in the surrounding area: As was supposedly set aside years ago. Possibly a second site in Griffith Park for Conservation breeding projects and open to the public. Some suggested species; Bonobos, Giant Pandas, Siberian Tigers, Peninsular Pronghorns, Chacoan Peccaries, Cheetahs, Polar Bears, Sumatran, Black and White Rhinos. Just to name a few.
But then again, what do I know?
My apologies to my fellow ZooChat members in the U.K. for using this thread for an American zoo. I enjoyed the topic so much, I forgot it was under Europe and not the General Forum.