America's 100 Must See Exhibits

[pachyderm pro]

32. Watani Grasslands Reserve
North Carolina Zoo, NC
Opened: 1980
Size: 50 Acres (20 Hectares)
Inhabitants: African Elephant, Southern White Rhino and various antelope.

African savannas are commonplace in zoos worldwide and as a result are oftentimes forgettable. That is not the case for this outstanding series of grassy pastures set in the gorgeous North Carolina countryside. Size isn't everything when it comes to good exhibit design, but the sheer scale of these enclosures cannot be understated. The primary habitat containing rhinos and a delightful selection of hoofstock is larger than the entirety of some major zoos, which is both to the exhibit's benefit and detriment. The huge space is obviously fantastic for its residents, but from a visitor perspective it can appear rather void of animals at times. Many of the more shy antelope like the bongo and sitatunga choose to spend most of their time in the adjacent forest which makes them even more difficult to locate. To combat this, a drive-through tour runs during the warmer months which takes guests directly through the savanna landscape and provides a more intimate experience. The adjacent pair of multi-acre elephant paddocks are similarly brilliant, spacious and wonderfully green, being a strong contender for the best of their kind on the continent. The elephant habitats also blend in nicely with the multi-species savanna and from certain angles it appears as if there are no visible barriers. The size of these phenomenally landscaped enclosures combined with some incredible vistas add up to make it one of greatest African savanna exhibits in the US.

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

Similar Exhibits: Later...

 

[Pleistocene891]

32. Watani Grasslands Reserve
North Carolina Zoo, NC
Opened: 1980
Size: 50 Acres (20 Hectares)
Inhabitants: African Elephant, Southern White Rhino and various antelope.

African savannas are commonplace in zoos worldwide and as a result are oftentimes forgettable. That is not the case for this outstanding series of grassy pastures set in the gorgeous North Carolina countryside. Size isn't everything when it comes to good exhibit design, but the sheer scale of these enclosures cannot be understated. The primary habitat containing rhinos and a delightful selection of hoofstock is larger than the entirety of some major zoos, which is both to the exhibit's benefit and detriment. The huge space is obviously fantastic for its residents, but from a visitor perspective it can appear rather void of animals at times. Many of the more shy antelope like the bongo and sitatunga choose to spend most of their time in the adjacent forest which makes them even more difficult to locate. To combat this, a drive-through tour runs during the warmer months which takes guests directly through the savanna landscape and provides a more intimate experience. The adjacent pair of multi-acre elephant paddocks are similarly brilliant, spacious and wonderfully green, being a strong contender for the best of their kind on the continent. The elephant habitats also blend in nicely with the multi-species savanna and from certain angles it appears as if there are no visible barriers. The size of these phenomenally landscaped enclosures combined with some incredible vistas add up to make it one of greatest African savanna exhibits in the US.

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

Similar Exhibits: Later...

Can’t wait to see people argue that this isn’t a must see exhibit because it’s an African Savannah exhibit. It’s probably the most natural elephant exhibit in the entire country. Definitely deserves a spot on this list.

 

[PSO]

I was waiting for this one. It is great exhibit but borderline a must see. Seeing is the problem. Having gone to this exhibit prior to the pavilion being torn down, the lack of observations is the rub. There used to be a excellent observation deck on the back side of the pavilion that allowed a full view of the savannah and a trail that led further down away from the elephants. When I visited this past summer I was disappointed by the small trail that only allowed viewing of the the SW portion. Once baboons is completed I'm sure the trail will open back up (its even still on their map) which would give it its must see title again. I also am a big fan of the elephant exhibit as well

 

[Persephone]

I was waiting for this one. It is great exhibit but borderline a must see. Seeing is the problem. Having gone to this exhibit prior to the pavilion being torn down, the lack of observations is the rub. There used to be a excellent observation deck on the back side of the pavilion that allowed a full view of the savannah and a trail that led further down away from the elephants. When I visited this past summer I was disappointed by the small trail that only allowed viewing of the the SW portion. Once baboons is completed I'm sure the trail will open back up (its even still on their map) which would give it its must see title again. I also am a big fan of the elephant exhibit as well

I’ve been to North Carolina twice. The first time the trail (but not the pavilion) was open and Watani Grasslands was one of my favorite zoo exhibits of all time, almost single handedly propelling North Carolina into my personal top three at the time. Visiting again with the trail closed… it was disappointing. The elephant exhibits were still wonderful, don’t get me wrong. But I had to explain to the person I was with why Watani Grasslands was so amazing rather than them just naturally understanding. The trail’s closure is a really unfortunate setback, but hopefully one that will be fixed soon.

 

[Chlidonias]

Prepare to be shocked. There’s about a dozen zoos across the Midwest on my wish list one day. Omaha, Shedd, St Louis and Columbus all look like they belong on a global 50 must-see list.

That's more or less what I thought when I read the post! I was thinking "aren't Omaha and Shedd in the midwest?"

Indonesia sounds like they have some amazing zoos as I have seen here and other threads. I am sure if I visited Night Safari that I would never care to see another nocturnal building in my life.

Night Safari is in Singapore not Indonesia. It's like saying that Mexico has some great zoos you want to see, like the Bronx Zoo.

 

[birdsandbats]

That's more or less what I thought when I read the post! I was thinking "aren't Omaha and Shedd in the midwest?"


Night Safari is in Singapore not Indonesia. It's like saying that Mexico has some great zoos you want to see, like the Bronx Zoo.

Shedd is absolutely in the Midwest, but apparently JVM doesn't think it's very good. Omaha may or may not be in the Midwest depending on one's definition - I'm not sure I'd include it, for example. The same goes for Saint Louis.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

Omaha may or may not be in the Midwest depending on one's definition - I'm not sure I'd include it, for example. The same goes for Saint Louis.

Unlike somewhat more nebulous geographical terms such as "Central Europe" and "Eastern Europe" - which have several definitions, some of which do not differentiate between the two - the American Midwest *does* have a precise legal definition, and covers the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

As such, both Omaha and Saint Louis are in the Midwest.

 

[birdsandbats]

Unlike somewhat more nebulous geographical terms such as "Central Europe" and "Eastern Europe" - which have several definitions, some of which do not differentiate between the two - the American Midwest *does* have a precise legal definition, and covers the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin.

As such, both Omaha and Saint Louis are in the Midwest.

Yes, but this legal definition is not within common knowledge to most people. Few people who use the term "Midwest" are exactly thinking of these states specifically.

 

[PSO]

Speaking of not cluttering up a thread......

 

[Chlidonias]

Can’t wait to see people argue that this isn’t a must see exhibit because it’s an African Savannah exhibit. It’s probably the most natural elephant exhibit in the entire country. Definitely deserves a spot on this list.

I'm just wondering how many African Savannahs are going to be considered "must see". So far almost 10% of the featured exhibits in the thread are African Savannahs.

For this particular one, I like it much better than the other two. It certainly doesn't look like Africa but it isn't filled with all the "aesthetically-perfect" concrete scenery. I would visit NC Zoo to see this.

 

[PSO]

I agree that NC has the has the best Savannah of the three mentioned. Though the one in Escondido is by far the best in my opinion

 

[birdsandbats]

I'm just wondering how many African Savannahs are going to be considered "must see". So far almost 10% of the featured exhibits in the thread are African Savannahs.

For this particular one, I like it much better than the other two. It certainly doesn't look like Africa but it isn't filled with all the "aesthetically-perfect" concrete scenery. I would visit NC Zoo to see this.

I agree that NC has the has the best Savannah of the three mentioned. Though the one in Escondido is by far the best in my opinion

I'm counting three other African Savannahs on the thread so far? Giants of the Savanna, Heart of Africa, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

 

[JVM]

Looks like a beautiful savanna with an impressive number of animals. Whenever North Carolina is discussed or images shared it always looks so impressive. I cannot believe how many rhino are in that one image. It looks idyllic.

In regards to my last comment, I overlooked that Omaha was midwestern but I did not really consider St. Louis or Colombus as zoos that attracted international attention. I was under the impression Colombus' controversial theming choices had undermined it too much. I think St. Louis looks great and has a lot of personal appeal, but I am unsure what would strike an international zoochatter about it.

It would be interesting (perhaps in a separate thread) to hear from European zoochatters what would interest them to an American instiution. I would find that informative and educational.

Night Safari is in Singapore not Indonesia. It's like saying that Mexico has some great zoos you want to see, like the Bronx Zoo.

It does appear that I partly confused the Night Safari in Bali, Indonesia, which I was reading about as I fell asleep, with the better-known Singapore facility, due to the similar names. I easily be impressed with either facility given my interest in nocturnal exhibits but nonetheless even partial confusion is ignorance on my part for bringing it up instead of sticking to US facilities.

Shedd is absolutely in the Midwest, but apparently JVM doesn't think it's very good.

I said I love the Shedd and think it's a great institution. If other zoochatters want to discuss why it is great, I'd love to hear it, truly and genuinely. It is the only aquarium I have ever been to so I cannot make informed comparisons, which is part of why I cited zoochat discourse instead of my own thoughts.

 

[Chlidonias]

I'm counting three other African Savannahs on the thread so far? Giants of the Savanna, Heart of Africa, and Kilimanjaro Safaris.

Yeah I only remembered the first two and forgot the Kilimanjaro one. So the percentage of African Savannahs in the thread is even higher than I thought.

From the photos used to illustrate it, Kilimanjaro looks a lot more realistic than Watani - but I couldn't count it as a personal "must see" because I know I wouldn't wait in interminable queues in order to see it, which is probably why I forgot it was in the thread.

 

[PSO]

Forgot about Kilimanjaro as well

 

[15399]

I'm just wondering how many African Savannahs are going to be considered "must see". So far almost 10% of the featured exhibits in the thread are African Savannahs.

For this particular one, I like it much better than the other two. It certainly doesn't look like Africa but it isn't filled with all the "aesthetically-perfect" concrete scenery. I would visit NC Zoo to see this.

While it is valid to be concerned about the repetitiveness of having four African Savannas in this thread so far (and likely a few more in the future- there're three more I'm guessing to be included), all four of the savannahs so far are incredible exhibits that in my opinion are all very deserving of inclusion in the thread. Kilimanjaro Safaris is obviously a very unique, naturalistic take of an African Savanna, including the largest group of hippos in the United States and one of the strongest elephant exhibits in the country (although it's of course controversial on here due to the lack of time to view the individual exhibits). Heart of Africa has some incredible predator-prey displays, one of the country's best lion exhibits, and a large, naturalistic savanna that wraps behind the other exhibits in the section. Giants of the Savanna is unique for being an elephant mixed-species exhibit, and is one of the country's greatest elephant complexes- plus the only place in the country to house elephants and giraffes in one exhibit. So while these exhibits do all have some similarities, all of them are unique in their own right and, in my opinion, were obvious inclusions on a list of must-see exhibits.

 

[pachyderm pro]

I'm just wondering how many African Savannahs are going to be considered "must see". So far almost 10% of the featured exhibits in the thread are African Savannahs.

Since you mentioned it, I'll give a little tease of what to expect going forward. There are four more exhibits on this than can be described as African savannas, so a total of eight. That might seem like a lot, but some of the upcoming selections are far more unique and specialized than the ones that have been covered so far and I don't anticipate any of them being particularly contentious. There is at least one may come as a surprise to some, but we'll cross that bridge at a later date.

I said I love the Shedd and think it's a great institution. If other zoochatters want to discuss why it is great, I'd love to hear it, truly and genuinely. It is the only aquarium I have ever been to so I cannot make informed comparisons, which is part of why I cited zoochat discourse instead of my own thoughts.

I think you've made it pretty clear you love Shedd, although I can't help but disagree with your earlier comments about Shedd not being notable for exhibit design. If anything, they have the most candidates for this list out of any aquarium in the country as just seen in the oceanarium, which will not be their last mention on this thread.

 

[Great Argus]

I find myself agreeing with Chlidonias that the number of savannahs included is rather high. It is certainly among the most common exhibit themes in the US, and while there are plenty of well done complexes eight does seem a bit much here.

So while these exhibits do all have some similarities, all of them are unique in their own right and, in my opinion, were obvious inclusions on a list of must-see exhibits.

That's a bit of a slippery slope - by that reasoning might as well include every good exhibit in the US on the list.

Since you mentioned it, I'll give a little tease of what to expect going forward. There are four more exhibits on this than can be described as African savannas, so a total of eight.

So indeed close to ten percent. I think that's a bit much, though I am curious to see which other four make the cut as unique enough. I have a few guesses.

 

[CGSwans]

Lintworm’s European list included five African savannah exhibits (Leipzig, Zurich, Sigean, Salzburg and Boras). Given the generally higher rate of homogeneity in American zoos and the prominence of such exhibits there, having 8 doesn’t seem out of place at all.

 

[Pleistocene891]

Since you mentioned it, I'll give a little tease of what to expect going forward. There are four more exhibits on this than can be described as African savannas, so a total of eight. That might seem like a lot, but some of the upcoming selections are far more unique and specialized than the ones that have been covered so far and I don't anticipate any of them being particularly contentious. There is at least one may come as a surprise to some, but we'll cross that bridge at a later date.

I think you've made it pretty clear you love Shedd, although I can't help but disagree with your earlier comments about Shedd not being notable for exhibit design. If anything, they have the most candidates for this list out of any aquarium in the country as just seen in the oceanarium, which will not be their last mention on this thread.

I can think of three more that will definitely make the list, but I honestly can't think of the 4th one. That 4th one might be one of the most controversial exhibits on the list.