That wasn't a dig at Welt Der Gifte and I apologize if it came across as such. I used the examples of reptiles and fish to illustrate how deep we could go with this argument as these groups are commonly kept indoors by most zoos. I certainly didn't intend for any disrespect.As for your little dig at my zoo: who says that my animals are all strictly kept indoors? Come to Europe to see for yourself; then you can also visit the local establishments and feel the local weather in person.
You said I have a “reclusive” lifestyle, but I said I go out to socialize. What a way to ignore information presented right in front of you…
Oh, I can only rely on the personal info that you provide. The following emphasis
doesn't sound all too outgoing.
But - suum cuique. Just don't assume that everyone else, human or non-human primate, shares your indoor preference.
Apology accepted. *fist bump*
Albeit not a complex I guessed would be here, I'm expecting this to be a less controversial choice than some recent ones (although I'm a little surprised at how controversial Madagascar and Heart of Africa were). Truthfully, what I love about this thread (and last year's 50 must-see zoos) so much is the introduction to zoos and exhibits that I was either not at all or barely familiar with. When I think Minnesota Zoo, my mind immediately thinks Russia's Grizzly Coast, another exhibit there that's supposed to be excellent. Little did I know this zoo also has one of the nation's best tiger complexes! While Minnesota was already a zoo I really want to get to some day, knowing it has another world-class exhibit just elevates it even further on my (admittedly very long) list of zoos I hope to visit. From these pictures, it truly looks incredible.7. Tiger Base Camp + Tiger Lair
Minnesota Zoo, MN
Opened: 1978
Size: 4 Acres (1.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Amur Tiger
Some of the best exhibits are ones that last decades after their conception. After more than 40 years of use, here is one that still manages to create a sense of awe. Once inhabited by a pride of Asiatic lions, this was originally one huge enclosure spanning several acres. After the tigers were introduced, visitor complaints about not being able to see the animals prompted the zoo to split the exhibit in two. By themselves both enclosures would easily be some of the best of their kind in America, but together they place well in the upper echelon of big cat habitats worldwide. The larger enclosure titled Tiger Base Camp is a heavily wooded valley viewed from an elevated boardwalk, leading to a lookout shelter at the enclosures center. Finding a tiger here takes some patience, but watching one in such a beautiful setting is spectacular. If you don't have any luck here, it's much easier to locate the cats in the recently renovated Tiger Lair enclosure with up-close viewing windows and large pool by the visitor area. Both exhibits are dominated by the natural forest landscape and that combined with the sheer size of these enclosures make this arguably the single greatest tiger complex on this side of the pond.
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There are many other excellent tiger habitats in the United States that could've taken this spot, but the ones that stand out the most are the complexes at Bronx Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They are both dwarfed by Minnesota in scale, but make similarly great use of the surrounding forest and provide very beautiful views. Much smaller than these exhibits, but also sharing their best traits and deserving of a mention is the enclosure at Nashville Zoo.
Bronx Zoo
@Milwaukee Man
@twilighter
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
Nashville Zoo
@Moebelle
I was not expecting Minnesota's Tiger exhibit to make the cut, but considering the two exhibits combined are probably the largest in any AZA zoo(?), I shouldn't have been surprised. One small correction, though. The Asiatic Lions were brought in after the exhibit was split in two, not before, as the Tiger were one of the big-ticket attractions when the zoo first opened in '78.7. Tiger Base Camp + Tiger Lair
Minnesota Zoo, MN
Opened: 1978
Size: 4 Acres (1.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Amur Tiger
Some of the best exhibits are ones that last decades after their conception. After more than 40 years of use, here is one that still manages to create a sense of awe. Once inhabited by a pride of Asiatic lions, this was originally one huge enclosure spanning several acres. After the tigers were introduced, visitor complaints about not being able to see the animals prompted the zoo to split the exhibit in two. By themselves both enclosures would easily be some of the best of their kind in America, but together they place well in the upper echelon of big cat habitats worldwide. The larger enclosure titled Tiger Base Camp is a heavily wooded valley viewed from an elevated boardwalk, leading to a lookout shelter at the enclosures center. Finding a tiger here takes some patience, but watching one in such a beautiful setting is spectacular. If you don't have any luck here, it's much easier to locate the cats in the recently renovated Tiger Lair enclosure with up-close viewing windows and large pool by the visitor area. Both exhibits are dominated by the natural forest landscape and that combined with the sheer size of these enclosures make this arguably the single greatest tiger complex on this side of the pond.
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There are many other excellent tiger habitats in the United States that could've taken this spot, but the ones that stand out the most are the complexes at Bronx Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They are both dwarfed by Minnesota in scale, but make similarly great use of the surrounding forest and provide very beautiful views. Much smaller than these exhibits, but also sharing their best traits and deserving of a mention is the enclosure at Nashville Zoo.
Bronx Zoo
@Milwaukee Man
@twilighter
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
Nashville Zoo
@Moebelle
I actually don’t think Madagascar was all that controversial. There was a discussion about its flaws, but it seems to be relatively agreed-upon that it’s a must-see exhibit.
Thanks for your clarification on this. I had trouble piecing together the timeline for when the lions were at the zoo and I must’ve mixed up my information. Was there a point where there were lions in one enclosure and tigers in the other?
Yes, for a brief period in the 90s.
The Tiger Base Camp is considered to be part of the Russia's Grizzly Coast complex.
It's really not. The tiger complex existed many years before Russia's Grizzly Coast was even an idea. The tiger exhibits serve as a transition between Russia's Grizzly Coast and Northern Trail, but they aren't a dedicated part of either area.
In that case, you're really going to like the next entry.
Although technically apart of the Russia's Grizzly Coast complex, the exhibit opened a good 30 years before the rest of Russia's Grizzly Coast. EDIT: Cross-post with @pachyderm pro.
Such an awesome entry, my hats off to Minnesota for having an amazing Tiger exhibit! I can imagine how picturesque the tigers would be in that setting with a snowy day7. Tiger Base Camp + Tiger Lair
Minnesota Zoo, MN
Opened: 1978
Size: 4 Acres (1.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Amur Tiger
Some of the best exhibits are ones that last decades after their conception. After more than 40 years of use, here is one that still manages to create a sense of awe. Once inhabited by a pride of Asiatic lions, this was originally one huge enclosure spanning several acres. After the tigers were introduced, visitor complaints about not being able to see the animals prompted the zoo to split the exhibit in two. By themselves both enclosures would easily be some of the best of their kind in America, but together they place well in the upper echelon of big cat habitats worldwide. The larger enclosure titled Tiger Base Camp is a heavily wooded valley viewed from an elevated boardwalk, leading to a lookout shelter at the enclosures center. Finding a tiger here takes some patience, but watching one in such a beautiful setting is spectacular. If you don't have any luck here, it's much easier to locate the cats in the recently renovated Tiger Lair enclosure with up-close viewing windows and large pool by the visitor area. Both exhibits are dominated by the natural forest landscape and that combined with the sheer size of these enclosures make this arguably the single greatest tiger complex on this side of the pond.
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@snowleopard
@pachyderm pro
@snowleopard
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There are many other excellent tiger habitats in the United States that could've taken this spot, but the ones that stand out the most are the complexes at Bronx Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. They are both dwarfed by Minnesota in scale, but make similarly great use of the surrounding forest and provide very beautiful views. Much smaller than these exhibits, but also sharing their best traits and deserving of a mention is the enclosure at Nashville Zoo.
Bronx Zoo
@Milwaukee Man
@twilighter
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
@Julio C Castro
Nashville Zoo
@Moebelle
I am very partial to Tiger Trail at the Safari Park and I’m thankful for you using my photos 
To get extra-specific on this and the follow up from @Dhole dude , the zoo acquired lions in 1985 and went out of them in 1993 or 1994. They were exhibited on the side that is now Tiger Base Camp. Tigers were still on the Lair side during that period.
