America's 100 Must See Exhibits

[Julio C Castro]

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

These field exhibits are the reason I fell in love with the Safari Park on my first visit. I remember it like it was yesterday: it was on my birthday 3 years ago, my fiancé and I had it planned out for a whole year. As soon as we walked under the entrance, we knew we were going to have the time of our lives. We did the caravan tour into the East Africa field exhibit, seeing the various species of hoofstock interacting with one another was the closest I imagine an actual Safari in Africa may be like.

 

[pachyderm pro]

Others have already cited many former residents of the field exhibits, but I can think of one other recent loss that really stings; the Indian gaur. I toured through the Asian savanna enclosures during my visit a few years ago and distinctly remember being awe-struck with how impressive they were. Unfortunately breeding was halted a while back and most of the herd was sent to Bronx while the remaining individuals eventually died out, which is a shame.

However, that's not to say the current collection lacks any highlights. What is considered a "rarity" can vary from person to person, but some of the more notable inhabitants include cape buffalo, red lechwe, roan antelope, fringe-eared oryx, gemsbok, Uganda kob and Barbary red deer. While the Asia enclosures cost extra to access properly, there are plenty of interesting deer species to be seen there such as Thorold’s deer, Vietnamese sika deer, Burmese brow-antlered deer and others.

 

[twilighter]

Others have already cited many former residents of the field exhibits, but I can think of one other recent loss that really stings; the Indian gaur. I toured through the Asian savanna enclosures during my visit a few years ago and distinctly remember being awe-struck with how impressive they were. Unfortunately breeding was halted a while back and most of the herd was sent to Bronx while the remaining individuals eventually died out, which is a shame.

However, that's not to say the current collection lacks any highlights. What is considered a "rarity" can vary from person to person, but some of the more notable inhabitants include cape buffalo, red lechwe, roan antelope, fringe-eared oryx, gemsbok, Uganda kob and Barbary red deer. While the Asia enclosures cost extra to access properly, there are plenty of interesting deer species to be seen there such as Thorold’s deer, Vietnamese sika deer, Burmese brow-antlered deer and others.

The Safari Park still has a lot to offer, given the fact that many ungulate species dissappear from the other zoos as well. What was considered common yesterday, became rarity today. In nowadays imersive exhibits, often representing geographical region, there is a place for one big Carnivore, few small animals and one or two hoofed mammals. And this is the future.

This increadible place, witnessed so many rarities and contributed to so many rare offspring, will not be the same without the Giant Eland herd in African Loop and the Gaurs in Asian Fields.

This is a friend's photo from not long before they left the collection:

 

[Batto]

This is a friend's photo from not long before they left the collection:

Look more like gayals than gaurs.

 

[pachyderm pro]

43. World of the Insect
Cincinnati Zoo, OH
Opened: 1978
Size: 8,000 Square Feet (740 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >60 insect species, a few reptiles, and Naked Mole Rat.

Modern zoos have an exciting opportunity to evoke an appreciation for species that people have misconceptions about. It can be a challenge engaging visitors with stereotypically creepy animals like insects, but if done well it pays off in droves. This was the first ever proper insectarium in a zoo and decades later it is still a leading facility in insect husbandry and breeding; the zoo's work with giant jumping sticks being the most recent success. With the same flair as a modern art gallery, each room showcases bugs based on their different attributes to demonstrate the diversity of insects. One room focuses on bugs with unusual eating methods, while another zones in on water-inhabiting bugs, as well as a room that explains their importance as a food source. Of course there’s a lushly planted butterfly pavilion that is a bit more commonplace by comparison, as well as a plethora of other fascinating displays. The collection of both live and preserved specimens is immense and actually extends beyond just insects by cleverly featuring the mammal whose social structure is most similar to an insect: naked mole-rats. The whole house shines from the brilliance in its exhibitry and nowhere is this better demonstrated than the leafcutter ant exhibit. There are two large terrariums in different parts of the building connected by a lengthy tube. One side has plants that the ants trim the leaves off of before traversing through the tube to the other side of the exhibit, where they give the leaves to a type of fungi which produces their food. Few displays do a better job showcasing such an underappreciated species and it shows that innovative exhibits can be created for species of all sizes.

@Moebelle

@TinoPup

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@TinoPup

@Moebelle

Similar Exhibits: After Cincinnati set the standard for what an insect house could be, it wasn't long before insectariums began popping up at many major zoos across the country. One that was clearly inspired by it is the insectarium at Saint Louis Zoo which is also very engaging and organized in a similar style. The recently unveiled Spineless Marvels house at San Diego Zoo is also very noteworthy and one of most innovative insect buildings to date. Cincinnati's influence is still felt today, as San Diego's building also features an elaborate leafcutter ant exhibit and naked mole rats. Unsurprisingly, all of these buildings also have a dedicated butterfly room that is an easy visitor favorite.

Saint Louis Zoo

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@pachyderm pro

San Diego Zoo

@betsy

@betsy

@Julio C Castro

 

[Pleistocene891]

43. World of the Insect
Cincinnati Zoo, OH
Opened: 1978
Size: 8,000 Square Feet (740 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >60 insect species, a few reptiles, and Naked Mole Rat.

Modern zoos have an exciting opportunity to evoke an appreciation for species that people have misconceptions about. It can be a challenge engaging visitors with stereotypically creepy animals like insects, but if done well it pays off in droves. This was the first ever proper insectarium in a zoo and decades later it is still a leading facility in insect husbandry and breeding; the zoo's work with giant jumping sticks being the most recent success. With the same flair as a modern art gallery, each room showcases bugs based on their different attributes to demonstrate the diversity of insects. One room focuses on bugs with unusual eating methods, while another zones in on water-inhabiting bugs, as well as a room that explains their importance as a food source. Of course there’s a lushly planted butterfly pavilion that is a bit more commonplace by comparison, as well as a plethora of other fascinating displays. The collection of both live and preserved specimens is immense and actually extends beyond just insects by cleverly featuring the mammal whose social structure is most similar to an insect: naked mole-rats. The whole house shines from the brilliance in its exhibitry and nowhere is this better demonstrated than the leafcutter ant exhibit. There are two large terrariums in different parts of the building connected by a lengthy tube. One side has plants that the ants trim the leaves off of before traversing through the tube to the other side of the exhibit, where they give the leaves to a type of fungi which produces their food. Few displays do a better job showcasing such an underappreciated species and it shows that innovative exhibits can be created for species of all sizes.

@Moebelle

@TinoPup

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@TinoPup

@Moebelle

Similar Exhibits: After Cincinnati set the standard for what an insect house could be, it wasn't long before insectariums began popping up at many major zoos across the country. One that was clearly inspired by it is the insectarium at Saint Louis Zoo which is also very engaging and organized in a similar style. The recently unveiled Spineless Marvels house at San Diego Zoo is also very noteworthy and one of most innovative insect buildings to date. Cincinnati's influence is still felt today, as San Diego's building also features an elaborate leafcutter ant exhibit and naked mole rats. Unsurprisingly, all of these buildings also have a dedicated butterfly room that is an easy visitor favorite.

Saint Louis Zoo

@Moebelle

@Moebelle

@pachyderm pro

San Diego Zoo

@betsy

@betsy

@Julio C Castro

I've heard that Cincinnati has done amazing conservation work with insects. Does anyone know the species that they have done/are doing work with?

 

[15399]

I've heard that Cincinnati has done amazing conservation work with insects. Does anyone know the species that they have done/are doing work with?

North American Burying Beetles for starters, along with Roger Williams Park Zoo and Saint Louis Zoo.

 

[Persephone]

Huh. Didn’t know it was the very first. Holds up really well by that standard. I think it could’ve gone either way between Cincinnati, St. Louis, or maybe San Diego idk I haven’t been. But I guess Cincinnati wins for holding up so well that it can stand alongside even those that had the chance to build upon it. (I also really, really love the aquatic insect room.)

 

[pachyderm pro]

44. Whooping Crane Alcove
International Crane Foundation, WI
Opened: c.1973
Size: 1.5 Acres (0.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Whooping Crane

You don’t always need a charismatic ABC animal to create a memorable experience. Every species has a story to tell and this exhibit tells the tale of conservationists' work to save the whooping crane. Since the crane foundation's founding, over 300 whooping cranes have been hatched and two self-sustaining populations have been reintroduced in eastern North America. There is an entire wall of alluring interpretive displays that detail the foundation's efforts with the species and the exhibit itself is absolutely beautiful. In most zoos cranes aren't given much consideration, usually displayed playing second-fiddle to hoofstock, but the ICF is not like most zoos. A boardwalk across a small marsh takes you to a viewing pavilion with amphitheater style seating overlooking a shallow lagoon. The enclosure flows seamlessly with the forest backdrop creating a truly mesmerizing effect on the viewer. The space for the cranes is well over an acre in size and very much appears like a slice of wild landscape. Very rarely will one find this comprehensive of a display regarding a species many would completely overlook otherwise and it is brilliant down to the last detail.

@pachyderm pro

@pachyderm pro

@Milwaukee Man

Similar Exhibit: It shouldn't be surprising that the International Crane Foundation has two other massive pond habitats for wattled crane and Siberian crane that are similarly wonderful. Enclosures like these give a new appreciation for cranes and prove they can make for an exciting exhibit on their own when displayed with care.

Wattled Crane Exhibit

@pachyderm pro

Siberian Crane Exhibit

@pachyderm pro

 

[Antimony96]

I will say it's the most agreeable of Wisconsin's three list entries so far.

 

[Coelacanth18]

43. World of the Insect
Cincinnati Zoo, OH

insectarium at Saint Louis Zoo

Spineless Marvels house at San Diego Zoo

I've seen all three of these insect buildings and they're all fantastic. Besides the high diversity, I like how all three of them have leafcutter ant colonies with some varying design; watching them is a really cool experience and (despite not being super into bugs) it's a display I think could be more common in zoos - especially given the abundance of tropic houses and Amazon-themed exhibits.

44. Whooping Crane Alcove
International Crane Foundation, WI

This is high on my list of facilities I'd like to visit one day, but I've never been close enough to swing it. That panorama of the Whooping Crane yard is striking; it looks more like a large observation blind in a natural wetland than a zoo exhibit.

One question for @pachyderm pro or anyone else who has visited: why are some of ICF's crane yards sealed with mesh and others open-topped? Is this intentional, a continuing upgrade process, or are there practical issues involved?

 

[aardvark250]

44. Whooping Crane Alcove
International Crane Foundation, WI
Opened: c.1973
Size: 1.5 Acres (0.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Whooping Crane

You don’t always need a charismatic ABC animal to create a memorable experience. Every species has a story to tell and this exhibit tells the tale of conservationists' work to save the whooping crane. Since the crane foundation's founding, over 300 whooping cranes have been hatched and two self-sustaining populations have been reintroduced in eastern North America. There is an entire wall of alluring interpretive displays that detail the foundation's efforts with the species and the exhibit itself is absolutely beautiful. In most zoos cranes aren't given much consideration, usually displayed playing second-fiddle to hoofstock, but the ICF is not like most zoos. A boardwalk across a small marsh takes you to a viewing pavilion with amphitheater style seating overlooking a shallow lagoon. The enclosure flows seamlessly with the forest backdrop creating a truly mesmerizing effect on the viewer. The space for the cranes is well over an acre in size and very much appears like a slice of wild landscape. Very rarely will one find this comprehensive of a display regarding a species many would completely overlook otherwise and it is brilliant down to the last detail.

[Something something Conway bullfrog something something]

 

[birdsandbats]

One question for @pachyderm pro or anyone else who has visited: why are some of ICF's crane yards sealed with mesh and others open-topped? Is this intentional, a continuing upgrade process, or are there practical issues involved?

I'm not entirely sure why, but I can say it has nothing to do with upgrades. I think it's partially just so each exhibit feels more unique. A couple of the enclosures are even walk-ins.

Regarding the Whooping Crane exhibit itself, it is by far the most impressive habitat at ICF. Pachyderm Pro already highlighted a lot of the cool things, but I also like the wild Cliff Swallow colony under the roof (making the exhibit feel even more like a wetland blind, since you're also surrounded by wild birds) and this mural, depicting various wildlife and the Baraboo Hills, a mountain range nearby:

Crane Educators: Image

 

[15399]

44. Whooping Crane Alcove
International Crane Foundation, WI
Opened: c.1973
Size: 1.5 Acres (0.6 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Whooping Crane

You don’t always need a charismatic ABC animal to create a memorable experience. Every species has a story to tell and this exhibit tells the tale of conservationists' work to save the whooping crane. Since the crane foundation's founding, over 300 whooping cranes have been hatched and two self-sustaining populations have been reintroduced in eastern North America. There is an entire wall of alluring interpretive displays that detail the foundation's efforts with the species and the exhibit itself is absolutely beautiful. In most zoos cranes aren't given much consideration, usually displayed playing second-fiddle to hoofstock, but the ICF is not like most zoos. A boardwalk across a small marsh takes you to a viewing pavilion with amphitheater style seating overlooking a shallow lagoon. The enclosure flows seamlessly with the forest backdrop creating a truly mesmerizing effect on the viewer. The space for the cranes is well over an acre in size and very much appears like a slice of wild landscape. Very rarely will one find this comprehensive of a display regarding a species many would completely overlook otherwise and it is brilliant down to the last detail.

@pachyderm pro

@pachyderm pro

@Milwaukee Man

Similar Exhibit: It shouldn't be surprising that the International Crane Foundation has two other massive pond habitats for wattled crane and Siberian crane that are similarly wonderful. Enclosures like these give a new appreciation for cranes and prove they can make for an exciting exhibit on their own when displayed with care.

Wattled Crane Exhibit

@pachyderm pro

Siberian Crane Exhibit

@pachyderm pro

It'll be interesting to see what ICF does in the future as zoos move more and more away from flight-restricting birds. Some of these exhibits are huge, which is great, but that also means it'd be very difficult to net them over if the facility (or AZA as a whole) decides to stop flight restrictions. Granted, flight-restricting cranes isn't as controversial as flight-restricting vultures or parrots, but it's still something that's on the decline, and it'll great for there to be a day in the future when every bird in a zoo is able to fly (barring ratites, penguins, and some rescued raptors, of course).

 

[Pleistocene891]

It'll be interesting to see what ICF does in the future as zoos move more and more away from flight-restricting birds. Some of these exhibits are huge, which is great, but that also means it'd be very difficult to net them over if the facility (or AZA as a whole) decides to stop flight restrictions. Granted, flight-restricting cranes isn't as controversial as flight-restricting vultures or parrots, but it's still something that's on the decline, and it'll great for there to be a day in the future when every bird in a zoo is able to fly (barring ratites, penguins, and some rescued raptors, of course).

I still don't understand why wing clipping is still common in American zoos. Restricting birds from flight is very inhumane to me.

 

[pachyderm pro]

[Something something Conway bullfrog something something]

Indeed, there isn't a single exhibit on this list that represents those principles better than this one. The facility as a whole is one of the best examples of Conways philosophy in the country and is my personal favorite specialist collection.

It'll be interesting to see what ICF does in the future as zoos move more and more away from flight-restricting birds. Some of these exhibits are huge, which is great, but that also means it'd be very difficult to net them over if the facility (or AZA as a whole) decides to stop flight restrictions. Granted, flight-restricting cranes isn't as controversial as flight-restricting vultures or parrots, but it's still something that's on the decline, and it'll great for there to be a day in the future when every bird in a zoo is able to fly (barring ratites, penguins, and some rescued raptors, of course).

I still don't understand why wing clipping is still common in American zoos. Restricting birds from flying is very inhumane to me.

Usually I'm almost always in favor of netting over bird exhibits, but in this case I'd actually argue against it. All of the cranes at the ICF have a wing clipped, even the ones in covered exhibits are flight-restricted to prevent them from flying into the mesh top and getting injured. Only four enclosures at the facility are open-topped (the three I mentioned above and the sandhill cranes) and there's no good reason to add a mesh top when they will be flight-restricted anyway. Throwing a net over the whooping crane exhibit in particular would not only be a completely pointless use of resources, but it would also ruin the amazing illusion with the forest in the background.

 

[Coelacanth18]

All of the cranes at the ICF have a wing clipped, even the ones in covered exhibits are flight-restricted to prevent them from flying into the mesh top and getting injured. Only four enclosures at the facility are open-topped (the three I mentioned above and the sandhill cranes) and there's no good reason to add a mesh top when they will be flight-restricted anyway.

Noted, thanks for the added context; I'd been assuming that the cranes in covered exhibits were not flight-restricted and wondered why it varied between species.

There is actually another reason for covering bird exhibits besides keeping its inhabitants in: it also keeps wild animals out. This may be especially relevant now given the avian flu situation; a lot of the bird exhibits that have closed in zoos are open-topped enclosures because potentially infected wild birds like waterfowl can't be excluded. I've seen covered penguin exhibits before, you have to assume it's not to keep them from escaping

 

[Jacob F]

43. World of the Insect
Cincinnati Zoo, OH
Opened: 1978
Size: 8,000 Square Feet (740 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >60 insect species, a few reptiles, and Naked Mole Rat.

Modern zoos have an exciting opportunity to evoke an appreciation for species that people have misconceptions about. It can be a challenge engaging visitors with stereotypically creepy animals like insects, but if done well it pays off in droves. This was the first ever proper insectarium in a zoo and decades later it is still a leading facility in insect husbandry and breeding; the zoo's work with giant jumping sticks being the most recent success. With the same flair as a modern art gallery, each room showcases bugs based on their different attributes to demonstrate the diversity of insects. One room focuses on bugs with unusual eating methods, while another zones in on water-inhabiting bugs, as well as a room that explains their importance as a food source. Of course there’s a lushly planted butterfly pavilion that is a bit more commonplace by comparison, as well as a plethora of other fascinating displays. The collection of both live and preserved specimens is immense and actually extends beyond just insects by cleverly featuring the mammal whose social structure is most similar to an insect: naked mole-rats. The whole house shines from the brilliance in its exhibitry and nowhere is this better demonstrated than the leafcutter ant exhibit. There are two large terrariums in different parts of the building connected by a lengthy tube. One side has plants that the ants trim the leaves off of before traversing through the tube to the other side of the exhibit, where they give the leaves to a type of fungi which produces their food. Few displays do a better job showcasing such an underappreciated species and it shows that innovative exhibits can be created for species of all sizes.

I love World of the Insect.

 

[Black Footed Beast]

Nice to see the ICF here, was hoping it would be included at some point, and for the netting, it was the only reason I was able to see quite a few cranes on my first trip since Avian flu was still an issue, so that is probably the reason for the netting.

 

[15399]

Usually I'm almost always in favor of netting over bird exhibits, but in this case I'd actually argue against it. All of the cranes at the ICF have a wing clipped, even the ones in covered exhibits are flight-restricted to prevent them from flying into the mesh top and getting injured. Only four enclosures at the facility are open-topped (the three I mentioned above and the sandhill cranes) and there's no good reason to add a mesh top when they will be flight-restricted anyway. Throwing a net over the whooping crane exhibit in particular would not only be a completely pointless use of resources, but it would also ruin the amazing illusion with the forest in the background.

While these exhibits are certainly acceptable by today's standards, even with the individuals wing-clipped, as care and welfare standards progress I fully expect the zoo community to become much more critical of open-topped bird exhibits. As such, I predict that there will come a time in the next decade or two that the open-topped exhibits at ICF will become outdated, and require either replacement or modification so that flight restriction stops being necessary.