Lied Jungle certainly was a game-changer for Omaha and I visited in 2008 and then again in 2012. The break-neck pace of new exhibits since Lied Jungle opened has meant that Omaha has risen in the world of "zoo rankings" to more than likely #2 or #3 in the USA...in friendly competition with Saint Louis as perhaps the next best thing in America after San Diego. I know several experienced zoo enthusiasts that rank Omaha as one of the 5 best zoos on the planet.
Omaha broke the bank with Lied Jungle (the world's largest indoor rainforest at that time) and then began a surge of activity that has never stopped. Chronologically, since the immense jungle building there has been a top-class aquarium within the zoo's grounds (opened in 1995 and then re-opened after extensive renovations in 2012), Desert Dome (the world's largest indoor desert), Kingdoms of the Night (the world's largest nocturnal exhibit), Gorilla Valley with its 4 gorilla exhibits, Orangutan Forest, Butterfly & Insect Pavilion, Expedition Madagascar, African Grasslands, Alaskan Adventure and this summer's 5-acre Children's Adventure Trails.
That long list of phenomenal construction projects does not even include a walk-through aviary that is 4 ACRES in size and opened back in the early 1980's, the approximately 110-120 reptile exhibits scattered throughout the large buildings, the 2 million annual visitors and the many smaller projects that have opened along the way. The zoo has plans to phase out the 1970's Cat Canyon and the 1980's Bear Canyon complexes and when that happens there won't be much wrong with anything in the entire 130 acres. Watch out San Diego!
My review of Lied Jungle from the thread "Snowleopard's 2012 Road Trip":
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 is one of the largest rainforest buildings ever constructed; 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, Dourocoulis, 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 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 a dozen species of primates, the number of reptiles, amphibians and 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.
