1984 Parade magazines 10 worst USA zoos
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If i did have a copy of parade I doubt I would be admitting to it! but as I was 13 at the time I'm unlikely to have been able to buy a copy.
Terry Maple became the director of Zoo Atlanta shortly after that article was published, and was famous in turning that particular zoo around with a series of brilliant exhibits in the late 1980's. For a few years it was probably one of the best zoos in North America, and even though it has not remained at the top Zoo Atlanta is still notable for its giant pandas and huge collection of gorillas and orangutans.
Oakland Zoo was also listed as one of the worst. While it certainly has its flaws, it has improved immensely from the embarrassment it was in the early 1980s.
It would be interesting to see what zoos (in major cities, not the ubiquitous roadside zoos) would "make" the list today. San Francisco at the top????
It would be interesting to see what zoos (in major cities, not the ubiquitous roadside zoos) would "make" the list today. San Francisco at the top????
San Francisco is a fantastic city with many terrific attractions, but the zoo is a shambles and badly needs a massive overhaul. Los Angeles is the # 2 city in the U.S. in terms of population, but I don't personally believe that the zoo would crack a list of the 30 best zoos in the country.
Houston and San Antonio are both in the top ten U.S. cities in terms of population, but the zoos there are not regarded as being amongst the best.
The good news for crappy zoos is that things can change in the blink of an eye. The Minnesota Zoo's recent revamping of its "Minnesota Trail" exhibits and opening of "Russia's Grizzly Coast" has transformed that establishment into one of the best in North America. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. was bashed for years, but the outstanding "Asia Trail" and upcoming "Elephant Trails" has rejuvenated that collection.
Houston and San Antonio are both in the top ten U.S. cities in terms of population, but the zoos there are not regarded as being amongst the best.The good news for crappy zoos is that things can change in the blink of an eye. The Minnesota Zoo's recent revamping of its "Minnesota Trail" exhibits and opening of "Russia's Grizzly Coast" has transformed that establishment into one of the best in North America. The National Zoo in Washington D.C. was bashed for years, but the outstanding "Asia Trail" and upcoming "Elephant Trails" has rejuvenated that collection.
Ten Worst
If the Atlanta Zoo had access to the funds necessary there would have been naturalized exhibits in the 1960s. As it was, moneys were not made available, employees simply had to work harder and more creatively to give the best available to the animals with food searches, toys and other occupational activities. The animals were warm in winter and had fresh water and the best foods, clean conditions and caring people and two, on call, consultant veterinarians as well as vet student clinicals. The zoo was certainly not deserving of being denigrated as one of the ten worst as anyone who did a thorough search at the time would know.
If the Atlanta Zoo had access to the funds necessary there would have been naturalized exhibits in the 1960s. As it was, moneys were not made available, employees simply had to work harder and more creatively to give the best available to the animals with food searches, toys and other occupational activities. The animals were warm in winter and had fresh water and the best foods, clean conditions and caring people and two, on call, consultant veterinarians as well as vet student clinicals. The zoo was certainly not deserving of being denigrated as one of the ten worst as anyone who did a thorough search at the time would know.
I think the Australian version of Parade is a bit like Popular Science, and the American version is a poor man's Time.
Neither are like the British version that you're remembering.