There's a big difference though between comparing "bull elephants vs. breeding herd" and "twenty gorillas vs. three gorillas". Both bachelor herds of elephants and breeding herds of elephants are naturalistic ways to keep elephants, and are impressive displays in their own right. Multi-generational herds of elephants are incredible displays, and are incredibly enjoyable to see. Your gorilla analogy doesn't work because one of those isn't a naturalistic, impressive way to exhibit gorillas. Keeping large, naturalistic troops of great apes is a naturalistic, impressive way to exhibit them, while keeping a trio of gorillas goes against the best practices of a modern zoo.
America's 100 Must See Exhibits
- Thread starter pachyderm pro
- Start date
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
Remember we had a huge talk about taking the thread too seriously a couple of pages ago
I didn’t mean what I said as an attack. One can perfectly think OK City has a better exhibit and belongs on here instead of Denver. I was just calling attention to the uniqueness and risk of Denver’s concept and herd dynamics. Planned dynamics of an exhibit influence the design of exhibits and have effects on the guests. For us zoo nerds this may be even more interesting though as was the case for me and others I have talked too.
This seems like a good time to cite one of the earlier entries: Houston's McNair Asian Elephant Habitat. The success of that exhibit can be attributed to the way it displays it's inhabitants. It holds one of the most prolific breeding herds in the US with multiple bulls, multiple calves and females of various ages. There is constantly something interesting going on and if the exhibit held just three or four geriatric females it would have never even been considered for this list. In the same vain, the unique purpose of acting as a bachelor facility is absolutely something that can be considered "must-see" criteria.
I will mention that in the original draft of this list, I included both Elephant Passage and Sanctuary Asia. Ultimately I realized how similar these two exhibits were in many aspects and made the decision to cut the latter. Elephant Passage is far more elaborate in thematics and design and while the enclosures at OKC are still very good, they are quite simplistic by comparison.
I will mention that in the original draft of this list, I included both Elephant Passage and Sanctuary Asia. Ultimately I realized how similar these two exhibits were in many aspects and made the decision to cut the latter. Elephant Passage is far more elaborate in thematics and design and while the enclosures at OKC are still very good, they are quite simplistic by comparison.
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Good to see how you came to this decision. Houston is probably the most entertaining elephant exhibit I have seen despite not being very aesthetic. The bull yard is always a hive of energy, while the family yard has so many young elephants. Its just a great place to keep checking back in on during visits as something new is always happening.
Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
I wish the fishing cat exhibit was bigger. It’s all indoors, but it’s nicely vegetated with an underwater viewing.
42. Field Exhibits
San Diego Zoo Safari Park, CA
Opened: 1972
Size: 300+ Acres (120+ Hectares)
Inhabitants: A large variety of hoofstock and birds.
When San Diego Zoo was looking to expand their breeding efforts for exotic hoofstock beyond the capability of their existing property, it took constructing an entirely new park to realize that ambition. The iconic field enclosures are the heart and soul of the Safari Park and were the primary reason for its conception. There are about a dozen field habitats with several additional hoofstock pens dotted throughout the landscape. In terms of size they are obviously unparalleled to most other savannas and the rolling mountains make for some of the most incredible views that can be seen in a zoo. Some have lamented the loss of some rare species in recent years, but averaging one hoofstock birth a day, it's safe to say they are still serving their original purpose exceptionally well. Of course, the enclosures are past their prime in other ways as well, particularly burdened by fond memories of the wgasa bush line monorail. The 30 minute tram tour circumnavigating the enclosures is still an intimate and informative affair, but will never quite stack up to the experience the old monorail provided. Additionally the Asian field habitats can now only be seen from a guided tour that must be booked in advance, despite talk of allowing proper public access to these areas again for ages. Looking past what once was, the field enclosures have still held up wonderfully. While the days of purposefully collecting rare hoofstock have come to an end, the collection still boasts over 40 species alongside many larger birds as well. Seeing large ungulate breeding herds in enormous habitats surrounded by such gorgeous scenery will always make for a remarkable experience.
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@IndianRhino
@IndianRhino
@pachyderm pro
@twilighter
Similar Exhibits: Few ungulate enclosures come even remotely close in sheer scale, although the enormous pastures at The Wilds are certainly in contention. It may not be the mountainous landscape of Southern California, but the Ohio countryside is surprisingly beautiful and makes for some absolutely picturesque views.
@birdsandbats
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
San Diego Zoo Safari Park, CA
Opened: 1972
Size: 300+ Acres (120+ Hectares)
Inhabitants: A large variety of hoofstock and birds.
When San Diego Zoo was looking to expand their breeding efforts for exotic hoofstock beyond the capability of their existing property, it took constructing an entirely new park to realize that ambition. The iconic field enclosures are the heart and soul of the Safari Park and were the primary reason for its conception. There are about a dozen field habitats with several additional hoofstock pens dotted throughout the landscape. In terms of size they are obviously unparalleled to most other savannas and the rolling mountains make for some of the most incredible views that can be seen in a zoo. Some have lamented the loss of some rare species in recent years, but averaging one hoofstock birth a day, it's safe to say they are still serving their original purpose exceptionally well. Of course, the enclosures are past their prime in other ways as well, particularly burdened by fond memories of the wgasa bush line monorail. The 30 minute tram tour circumnavigating the enclosures is still an intimate and informative affair, but will never quite stack up to the experience the old monorail provided. Additionally the Asian field habitats can now only be seen from a guided tour that must be booked in advance, despite talk of allowing proper public access to these areas again for ages. Looking past what once was, the field enclosures have still held up wonderfully. While the days of purposefully collecting rare hoofstock have come to an end, the collection still boasts over 40 species alongside many larger birds as well. Seeing large ungulate breeding herds in enormous habitats surrounded by such gorgeous scenery will always make for a remarkable experience.
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@IndianRhino
@IndianRhino
@pachyderm pro
@twilighter
Similar Exhibits: Few ungulate enclosures come even remotely close in sheer scale, although the enormous pastures at The Wilds are certainly in contention. It may not be the mountainous landscape of Southern California, but the Ohio countryside is surprisingly beautiful and makes for some absolutely picturesque views.
@birdsandbats
@Moebelle
Would this exhibit have the largest list of rarities out of all the exhibits on the list so far?42. Field Exhibits
San Diego Zoo Safari Park, CA
Opened: 1972
Size: 300+ Acres (120+ Hectares)
Inhabitants: A large variety of hoofstock and birds.
When San Diego Zoo was looking to expand their breeding efforts for exotic hoofstock beyond the capability of their existing property, it took constructing an entirely new park to realize that ambition. The iconic field enclosures are the heart and soul of the Safari Park and were the primary reason for its conception. There are about a dozen field habitats with several additional hoofstock pens dotted throughout the landscape. In terms of size they are obviously unparalleled to most other savannas and the rolling mountains make for some of the most incredible views that can be seen in a zoo. Some have lamented the loss of some rare species in recent years, but averaging one hoofstock birth a day, it's safe to say they are still serving their original purpose exceptionally well. Of course, the enclosures are past their prime in other ways as well, particularly burdened by fond memories of the wgasa bush line monorail. The 30 minute tram tour circumnavigating the enclosures is still an intimate and informative affair, but will never quite stack up to the experience the old monorail provided. Additionally the Asian field habitats can now only be seen from a guided tour that must be booked in advance, despite talk of allowing proper public access to these areas again for ages. Looking past what once was, the field enclosures have still held up wonderfully. While the days of purposefully collecting rare hoofstock have come to an end, the collection still boasts over 40 species alongside many larger birds as well. Seeing large ungulate breeding herds in enormous habitats surrounded by such gorgeous scenery will always make for a remarkable experience.
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@IndianRhino
@IndianRhino
@pachyderm pro
@twilighter
Similar Exhibits: Few ungulate enclosures come even remotely close in sheer scale, although the enormous pastures at The Wilds are certainly in contention. It may not be the mountainous landscape of Southern California, but the Ohio countryside is surprisingly beautiful and makes for some absolutely picturesque views.
@birdsandbats
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
Anyways the pictures never do it justice. Walking up to the cheetah exhibit and seeing the white rhinos run down the hill or seeing the Oryx hike the spine of the hill exhibit are some of the best views in a San Diego Park.
Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
World of Birds probably has the most rarities so far.
If I had to make an educated guess, Detroit's Amphibian Conservation Center would top the list rarity-wise, but it also would depend on how you define "rarity", as some would argue something kept in less than ten zoos is a "rarity", some would say less than five, others less than twenty, etc.
It might be Amazon Rising.
If anyone can list the rarities kept here formally I’d be interested to know!
The most famous one that I know of were Northern white rhinoceros.
I can quote the message with species list from my visit 3 years ago. The Giant Eland are no longer part of the collection.
San Diego zoo Safari park is usually overshadowed by his big brother and get generally less public attention. Until the autumn of 2019. After the San Diego Zoo Global decided to phase out it's symbol, the Giant Pandas, they needed an equal "Giant" magnets for the zoo fans. And they arrived, but this time not in the Zoo. According to a Safari Park staff member, there are 22 Platypuses currently in captivity: 20 in Australia and 2 in SDZSP. The long lasting friendship with Taronga and exhausting bureaucracy battle finally binged this remarkable creature in Southern California.
It is a very sad statement, but after the devastating fires Australia will need all the world's support to save their unique wildlife. San Diego Zoo Global has partnered with the University of Melbourne to develop a DNA tracking technology in order to be able to map out the Platypus species by studying water samples for DNA traces. They will try to find out, what are actual numbers of this elusive animal in the wild.
In order to see them properly in the Park is best to arrive very early on the morning, when they are mostly active. The Safari park and the Zoo let you in 30 min. before opening hours and you can wait inside the first small section of the zoo. This can guarantee reaching the Platypuses first and avoid the big queue later.
Before even reach the Core of the Safari park you can see a mind-blowing Giant Eland & Red fronted gazelle herds, a Bontebok family, Steenbok&Sitatunga, Gerenuk&Red-flanked Duiker, Cavendish's dik dik and many African birds around the African loop. The primate collection is small, but with big Gorilla forest and gorgeous Kikuyu Guereza island.
I was hesitating to the last moment, shall I go for the Caravan safari, due to the hefty price, but after done the Tram, realized, that will miss serious part of this place's charisma.
Hoofstock seen during the Tram ride: White Rhino, Red river hog, Grevi's zebra, Nile Lechwe, Somali wild ass,Dromedary,Sable Antelope, Greater Kudu, Gemsbok, Springbok, Roan Antelope, Red Lechwe, Cape buffalo, Sitatunga, Massai Giraffe, Uganda Kob, Paterson eland, Common Eland, Red-fronted gazelle, Thomson's Gazelle , Barbary sheep, Scimitar-horned Oryx, Ankole cattle,Barbary stag and Nyala.
During the Caravan safari, we had very knowledgeable tour guide named Lauren and my experience would not be as good without her.
In addition to Tram species have seen:
Grant's Gazelle,Reticulated Giraffe, Common Waterbuck, Defassa Waterbuck,White-bearded Wildebeest, Common Impala, Fringe-eared Oryx, Bactrian Camel, Przewalski's Horse, Arabian Oryx, Markhor, Banteng, Pere David's Deer, White-Lipped Deer, Malayan Sambar, Barasinga, Eld's Deer, Mandarin Sika Deer, Transcaspian Urial, Blackbuck, Nilgai and the biggest Rhino in SDZSP, huge Indian Rhino male. According to Lauren the Armenian Mouflon is not present in the Park anymore.
I am most probably missing something, but it was very hard to stay focused in this Heaven on Earth. The Platypuses definitely pull the trigger for my short trip to the States but the Safari park have a lot more to offer . The conditions for the animals are terrific and even if their main focus are Hoofed mammals ( and because of that) I would rate them, among the very best in the world.
I have a list of species from my July visit I can share later.
Wait, formally kept or formerly kept? Current lists would not be relevant to formerly, but could be very relevant to formally....I read it as a typo really meaning formerly, but now I am questioning that.
So many, but also Saiga, Sunda Wild Boar, Topi, Jackson's Hartebeest, two subsp. of sambar, rusa deer, Altai wapiti....