Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
International orangutan center AKA the biggest waste of money in zoological history
orangutan exhibit - ZooChat
Orangutan Center - ZooChat
America's 100 Must See Exhibits
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orangutan exhibit - ZooChat
Orangutan Center - ZooChat
Um... no. That distinction would belong to Columbus' Adventure Cove and Animal Ambassador Village. While untraditional, the International Orangutan Center is by no means a bad exhibit and is one that I sincerely hope gets featured here in the future. While the IOC isn't the way I'd personally design an orangutan exhibit if given the choice, it does give the apes a significant opportunity for vertical locomotion, something that many zoos fail at and is certainly commendable. Indianapolis certainly took the approach of natural behaviors, but not a naturalistic aesthetic, which is honestly better from a welfare perspective than all those exhibits that attempt to look "naturalistic", but fail to allow their residents to fully express naturalistic behaviors.
It could be all 3 from what we've know.So it's either going to be the orangutan church, the CMZ reptile house or Elephant Odyssey?
39. International Orangutan Center
Indianapolis Zoo, IN
Opened: 2014
Size: 16,000 Square Feet (1,500 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: Bornean Orangutan
Time and time again orangutans have proven to be one of the most difficult species to design for in captivity. Most zoos have yet to crack the code for how to perfectly display the red apes, although some have proven to be more successful than others. Many different approaches have been taken, but none are more famously eccentric than this one. Indianapolis provoked quite the discussion in the zoo community when they unveiled the International Orangutan Center, which looks far more like a contemporary mega-church than an animal exhibit in a respected zoo. Some odd choices were made during the design process, as there is no proper outdoor exhibit and the exterior viewing windows suffer from genuinely awful glare. As truly bizarre as it may be, has proven to be successful at encouraging the apes to get off the ground, which has always been the biggest hurdle in the way of making a great orangutan exhibit. The building is 150 feet tall and the main dayroom allows the apes to reach very impressive heights. A 1,200 foot long high-wire system was implemented around the building that the apes use to traverse through various smaller research stations surrounding the main pavilion. A gondola ride was also added so guests have a chance to see the apes up close on the high-line. Regardless of any one zoo enthuisiast's opinion on the exhibit, this complex has many innovative features and above all else it really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
@Grizzly Hound
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@Moebelle
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Similar Exhibits: There’s certainly nothing quite like it, although zoo nerds around the globe are all waiting with anticipation to see how the zoo's future 'International Chimpanzee Complex' will turn out...
Indianapolis Zoo, IN
Opened: 2014
Size: 16,000 Square Feet (1,500 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: Bornean Orangutan
Time and time again orangutans have proven to be one of the most difficult species to design for in captivity. Most zoos have yet to crack the code for how to perfectly display the red apes, although some have proven to be more successful than others. Many different approaches have been taken, but none are more famously eccentric than this one. Indianapolis provoked quite the discussion in the zoo community when they unveiled the International Orangutan Center, which looks far more like a contemporary mega-church than an animal exhibit in a respected zoo. Some odd choices were made during the design process, as there is no proper outdoor exhibit and the exterior viewing windows suffer from genuinely awful glare. As truly bizarre as it may be, has proven to be successful at encouraging the apes to get off the ground, which has always been the biggest hurdle in the way of making a great orangutan exhibit. The building is 150 feet tall and the main dayroom allows the apes to reach very impressive heights. A 1,200 foot long high-wire system was implemented around the building that the apes use to traverse through various smaller research stations surrounding the main pavilion. A gondola ride was also added so guests have a chance to see the apes up close on the high-line. Regardless of any one zoo enthuisiast's opinion on the exhibit, this complex has many innovative features and above all else it really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There’s certainly nothing quite like it, although zoo nerds around the globe are all waiting with anticipation to see how the zoo's future 'International Chimpanzee Complex' will turn out...
felis silvestris
Well-Known Member
The
I’ve never visited, but one thing that the enclosure needs to work on is being naturalistic, by the looks of the photos.39. International Orangutan Center
Indianapolis Zoo, IN
Opened: 2014
Size: 16,000 Square Feet (1,500 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: Bornean Orangutan
Time and time again orangutans have proven to be one of the most difficult species to design for in captivity. Most zoos have yet to crack the code for how to perfectly display the red apes, although some have proven to be more successful than others. Many different approaches have been taken, but none are more famously eccentric than this one. Indianapolis provoked quite the discussion in the zoo community when they unveiled the International Orangutan Center, which looks far more like a contemporary mega-church than an animal exhibit in a respected zoo. Some odd choices were made during the design process, as there is no proper outdoor exhibit and the exterior viewing windows suffer from genuinely awful glare. As truly bizarre as it may be, has proven to be successful at encouraging the apes to get off the ground, which has always been the biggest hurdle in the way of making a great orangutan exhibit. The building is 150 feet tall and the main dayroom allows the apes to reach very impressive heights. A 1,200 foot long high-wire system was implemented around the building that the apes use to traverse through various smaller research stations surrounding the main pavilion. A gondola ride was also added so guests have a chance to see the apes up close on the high-line. Regardless of any one zoo enthuisiast's opinion on the exhibit, this complex has many innovative features and above all else it really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There’s certainly nothing quite like it, although zoo nerds around the globe are all waiting with anticipation to see how the zoo's future 'International Chimpanzee Complex' will turn out...
I visited Indianapolis expecting to hate the IOC, but honestly, I ended up really enjoying it. It remains the only exhibit ever where I have actually seen actively climbing orangutans, and they were a joy to watch. Before visiting I always thought of them as some of the most boring zoo animals (and to some extent I still do), since they just lounge around on the ground usually, but the International Orangutan Center gave me a new appreciation for the genus Pongo.
Persephone
Well-Known Member
The thing about the IOC is that the orangs are always doing something. Playing games in the breakout room for research / enrichment, sitting by the window hoping to get a closer look at the guest’s shiny things (one would like it if you read him picture books, too), or climbing all over the place. I’ve never hard a truly boring visit to the IOC. It’s not naturalistic at all, and in some ways the best comparison might be the now defunct great apes building in Kansas City. But idk I’d rather have an IOC than a half-hearted attempt at naturalism with barely any elevation and faux rock everywhere.
Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
This exhibit is the biggest waste of money in zoological history and holds absolutely zero educational value. Maybe it’s failure as an exhibit classifies it as must see.39. International Orangutan Center
Indianapolis Zoo, IN
Opened: 2014
Size: 16,000 Square Feet (1,500 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: Bornean Orangutan
Time and time again orangutans have proven to be one of the most difficult species to design for in captivity. Most zoos have yet to crack the code for how to perfectly display the red apes, although some have proven to be more successful than others. Many different approaches have been taken, but none are more famously eccentric than this one. Indianapolis provoked quite the discussion in the zoo community when they unveiled the International Orangutan Center, which looks far more like a contemporary mega-church than an animal exhibit in a respected zoo. Some odd choices were made during the design process, as there is no proper outdoor exhibit and the exterior viewing windows suffer from genuinely awful glare. As truly bizarre as it may be, has proven to be successful at encouraging the apes to get off the ground, which has always been the biggest hurdle in the way of making a great orangutan exhibit. The building is 150 feet tall and the main dayroom allows the apes to reach very impressive heights. A 1,200 foot long high-wire system was implemented around the building that the apes use to traverse through various smaller research stations surrounding the main pavilion. A gondola ride was also added so guests have a chance to see the apes up close on the high-line. Regardless of any one zoo enthuisiast's opinion on the exhibit, this complex has many innovative features and above all else it really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There’s certainly nothing quite like it, although zoo nerds around the globe are all waiting with anticipation to see how the zoo's future 'International Chimpanzee Complex' will turn out...
39. International Orangutan Center
Indianapolis Zoo, IN
Opened: 2014
Size: 16,000 Square Feet (1,500 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: Bornean Orangutan
Time and time again orangutans have proven to be one of the most difficult species to design for in captivity. Most zoos have yet to crack the code for how to perfectly display the red apes, although some have proven to be more successful than others. Many different approaches have been taken, but none are more famously eccentric than this one. Indianapolis provoked quite the discussion in the zoo community when they unveiled the International Orangutan Center, which looks far more like a contemporary mega-church than an animal exhibit in a respected zoo. Some odd choices were made during the design process, as there is no proper outdoor exhibit and the exterior viewing windows suffer from genuinely awful glare. As truly bizarre as it may be, has proven to be successful at encouraging the apes to get off the ground, which has always been the biggest hurdle in the way of making a great orangutan exhibit. The building is 150 feet tall and the main dayroom allows the apes to reach very impressive heights. A 1,200 foot long high-wire system was implemented around the building that the apes use to traverse through various smaller research stations surrounding the main pavilion. A gondola ride was also added so guests have a chance to see the apes up close on the high-line. Regardless of any one zoo enthuisiast's opinion on the exhibit, this complex has many innovative features and above all else it really is something that needs to be seen to be believed.
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Grizzly Hound
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
Similar Exhibits: There’s certainly nothing quite like it, although zoo nerds around the globe are all waiting with anticipation to see how the zoo's future 'International Chimpanzee Complex' will turn out...
Called it.
It's definitely is the ugliest Orangutan exhibit I've ever seen but it truly is a must see complex. There's no other zoos in US that I know off that lets you see Orangutans quite like IOC. Plus it's also heavily interactive which I really like.
Gotta agree with you here, Animal Ambassador Village has got to be the biggest embarrassment of an exhibit opened by a major US zoo in the last 10 years. I would so much rather take a giant orangutan church over this.
Also as much as I think it is the ugliest orangutan exhibit ever, I gotta disagree with you @Pleistocene891 . Because one educational value it held is definitely how orangutans utilize the vertical use of a building similiar to how it normally lives on high altitude on top of the forests. It certainly is not Singapore Zoo's Free Range Orangutan Trails but it sure is as close as it gets in US.
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Ahhh, the International Orangutan Center. I personally think there could be a few "natural" elements like a mulch biofloor along with the wood wool they currently have, but the fact that the orangutans are always active and engaged leads me to believe that Indy actually did right by them with a seemingly outlandish design. It's fascinating how debates over this exhibit harken back to similar ones based on the Gorillariums at the Aspinall parks; I do believe that John Aspinall was genuinely on to something, even if they're not "natural" by any metric.
Side tangent: I'd ideally like to see a hybrid approach to great ape exhibits in zoos - a fully outdoor exhibit space that's as best a recreation of the apes' natural habitat as possible (akin to Woodland Park, Bronx, Atlanta's Ford African Rainforest *in its heyday* or even Disney's Animal Kingdom), a covered "functional" exhibit space akin to the Aspinall parks, and of course an indoor space. This would especially be great for apes that function as fission-fusion societies like chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, I'm not necessarily sure if gorillas fall into that same category, but either way I personally reckon that this would be a dynamic environment for apes and monkeys alike.
Back to Indy, O-lines are a great way of engaging guests and showcasing an orangutan's natural behavior, and I'd love to see more zoos utilize this approach in different architectural styles as a way of doing right by their orangs.
Side tangent: I'd ideally like to see a hybrid approach to great ape exhibits in zoos - a fully outdoor exhibit space that's as best a recreation of the apes' natural habitat as possible (akin to Woodland Park, Bronx, Atlanta's Ford African Rainforest *in its heyday* or even Disney's Animal Kingdom), a covered "functional" exhibit space akin to the Aspinall parks, and of course an indoor space. This would especially be great for apes that function as fission-fusion societies like chimpanzees, bonobos and orangutans, I'm not necessarily sure if gorillas fall into that same category, but either way I personally reckon that this would be a dynamic environment for apes and monkeys alike.
Back to Indy, O-lines are a great way of engaging guests and showcasing an orangutan's natural behavior, and I'd love to see more zoos utilize this approach in different architectural styles as a way of doing right by their orangs.
It's definitely very interactive for the apes and I recall seeing them utilize some of the interactive elements, although not all of the features are ones they will notice. For example, there's a beacon at the very top of the building that the orangutans can activate by pressing a button somewhere in the exhibit. I have no idea why the designers thought this was necessary, but it's interesting none the less.
There's a primary dayroom and three or four indoor research stations. Like I mentioned there are no proper outdoor enclosures, only small patches of grass where the apes access the O-line.
I get the sentiment here, but I think the difference is that Aspinall's gorillariums were built at a fairly inexpensive cost. The IOC cost north of $30 million and I think an argument could be made that the money could have been spent wiser.
A valid point to make, architecturally speaking this does scream "vanity project". I do wish that Indy would have designed a legitimate outdoor space for the orangutans rather than just two creatively bankrupt O-line stations, especially with Kombo Coaster RIGHT THERE. Something in line with Adelaide or even Auckland's orangutan space. IDK, maybe it's just me.
That sounds quite inadequate for a species that would benefit from multiple larger indoor and outdoor enclosures. In addition I dislike O-line only exhibits as they only stimulate a single type or locomotion and not all the other climbing behaviour. In addition having them as 2 dead ends doesn't sound optimal. With such a name and price tag one would expect more than enrichment and a tall building. Give me Chester, Basel, Apenheul or Auckland anytime.
Worth noting that at the Aspinall parks the gorillas do also have more naturalistic outdoor yards as well as the "gorillariums" but from what I have heard they seldom use them in comparison!
Joseph G
Well-Known Member
The International Orangutan Center is the only great ape exhibit in recent memory that's taken my breath away. I am completely okay with aesthetics taking a back seat if even 10% of the visitors can have anything resembling the experience that I did – a large male orangutan swinging back and forth across the day room, carefully investigating every single patron wearing a mask and creating a very intimate moment with a species that usually feels like an afterthought in most zoos. Seeing each individual in the day room doing something was incredible. In some really weird locations around the day room as well! Places I wouldn't have thought they could or would want to access, there they were! Then to walk outside and immediately see one using the O-line? I'll never forget it.
I will say, I think the over-the-top design of this thing can psychologically affect zoo guests in a very similar way to something like Cinderella Castle at Disney World. Not saying they are two in the same, but I think it can throw someone off enough to really clear their head and really appreciate where they are and what they are seeing.
With all that praise out of the way, I do wish the area around the complex had more shade and greenery to distract from how much concrete is just everywhere. I visited six years after opening and it still felt like a construction area that had just been completed.
I think the International Chimpanzee Complex will be similarly polarizing on this website (it already is), but offer incredibly similar experiences to the ones many of us have had at IOC.
I will say, I think the over-the-top design of this thing can psychologically affect zoo guests in a very similar way to something like Cinderella Castle at Disney World. Not saying they are two in the same, but I think it can throw someone off enough to really clear their head and really appreciate where they are and what they are seeing.
With all that praise out of the way, I do wish the area around the complex had more shade and greenery to distract from how much concrete is just everywhere. I visited six years after opening and it still felt like a construction area that had just been completed.
I think the International Chimpanzee Complex will be similarly polarizing on this website (it already is), but offer incredibly similar experiences to the ones many of us have had at IOC.