America's 100 Must See Exhibits
- Thread starter pachyderm pro
- Start date
I also agree that Jacksonville’s Asian area is certainly one of the zoo’s best areas by far. However, even with ROtJ nearly reaching the twenty-year mark; I do think that it still holds up pretty well after all these years. In addition, seeing how some of the exhibits already chosen by @pachyderm pro were rather unexpected at best. I’m going to go out on a limb, and speculate that the Reid Park Zoo’s Expedition Tanzania will somehow find a way into being on the list.
Bonus Post #4 - Looking Towards the Future: Upcoming Exhibits that may be “Must-see”
In the first bonus post I discussed former exhibits that would have made this list if they were still around, so it seems fitting for the final bonus post to take a look at future exhibits that could make a list like this one day. While there are always rumors and tentative projects in the works, I'm just going to talk about confirmed exhibits coming within the next three to four years. The zoo world is constantly changing and with the amount of new higher ups brought in over the last two years, it seems we're entering a new era of exhibit design. While the other three bonus posts were far more structured and streamlined, I'm just going to list all of the future potential 'must-see' exhibits coming soon in no particular order.
One of the biggest American zoo developments at the moment comes from one of the country's rising stars: the upcoming African River Safari project at Nashville Zoo. This is a 40 acre expansion onto undeveloped land which will serve as an elaborate African precinct. The first phase of the project, known as Leopard Forest, will open next year with leopards and primates. Future phases will include multiple enormous savanna habitats for giraffes and hoofstock, hippos, large carnivores, additional primates, birds, and a kopje exhibit. There will also be a lengthy boat tour running through the entire area and it should all culminate in one of the greatest African exhibits in the US.
A much smaller development coming out of Nashville is the upcoming Komodo Dragon Exhibit being built across from the zoo's veterinary center. Slated to open this spring, this will be the largest outdoor komodo dragon habitat in North America. It’s more than just size however, as this habitat aims to house a large group of multiple adult lizards in the same enclosure at the same time. This has not been done to my knowledge and the result could be fascinating.
After being delayed countless times, Fresno Chaffee Zoo formally unveils Kingdoms of Asia in just a few months and while zoo nerds may be sick of ruined temple thematics in Asian exhibits, this one may be a cut above the rest. The zoo has gone the length of working with the local Southeast Asian community to ensure the theming is as authentic as possible. The intended species list goes far beyond just megafauna, although it sounds like reptile collection won't be fully implemented until after the exhibit is completed. Regardless, this will be an extremely detailed complex and the potential mix of sloth bears and small-clawed otters is very alluring itself.
Recently, North Carolina Zoo finally began work on its 10 acre Asia precinct that's been in the works for years. It'll be several more years until it's finally complete, but in all likelihood it will be well worth the wait. It won't be nearly as large or holistic as the long standing North America and Africa zones, but perhaps it's unfair to compare them. Beyond tigers and gibbons, the species list will actually focus on smaller species which is certainly interesting. A Southeast Asian reptile house will likely be a highlight for zoo nerds, as will the large aviaries for cranes and vultures.
The International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo is one of the most controversial zoo exhibits in modern history, which makes it all of the more hilarious to me that it’ll be getting a sequel in 2024. The International Chimpanzee Complex will likely be an even more fascinating development and hopefully marginally less artificial. There will be at least three or more primary enclosures spread across completely different parts of the zoo that will all be connected via a complex overhead tunnel system. With the plan of housing 30+ chimps, it will be fascinating to observe the social dynamics from across the grounds.
There are several more new great ape exhibits being opened in the coming years, although they all seem to be built off of existing exhibits. If you're familiar with my activity on the site, you'll know that I am positively thrilled for Brookfield Zoo's upcoming master plan and hope there will be several 'must-see' exhibits coming in the future. The first major development will be the highly anticipated two acre outdoor extension of Tropic World which has potential to be a showstopper. It will stretch the entire length of the building and be composed of four enclosed outdoor enclosures: two for gorillas, one for orangutans and one for South American monkeys. A new gorilla house is also being built adjacent to the current building which will allow for new species to take residence in the existing indoor gorilla exhibit.
In the further future, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will similarly be expanding its rainforest building both indoors and outdoors. Primate Forest is the name of the 140,000 square foot extension area and while details are still vague it's a welcome transformation of an exhibit that is in need of an upgrade. You'll have to be patient to see it all come to fruition however, as the extension will open in phases that won't be finished until 2032 at the earliest.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo never seems to stay stagnant for very long even when it comes to enhancing their existing exhibit areas. Orangutan Forest has been around for 20 years but was always seen as a bit of an afterthought compared to the adjacent gorilla complex. This renovation is so extensive that it will basically be a brand new exhibit once completed. Another outdoor enclosure is being added and the interior building is being completely redone. The apes will be viewed from multiple elevation points, thematics will be quite imposing, and both gibbons and langurs will be featured in the same space.
Shedd Aquarium will soon move forward with its $500 Million Centennial Commitment campaign, in which the first project will be constructing a new Caribbean Coral Reef habitat. This will replace some of the original historic galleries which is concerning for some, but hopefully it will prove to be an impressive replacement. It's one of many changes that will impact the aquarium during the next decade and it will be interesting to see how things change over time.
Rehabilitation facilities for manatees are much needed, although few will be as visually impressive as Jacksonville Zoo's upcoming Manatee River. This enormous outdoor tank will blend right in with the surrounding wildlife and host manatees alongside dozens of native fish and turtle species. Beyond the covered viewing areas, hopefully the zoo will design the tank in a way that minimizes glare which could be an issue.
While the amount of zoos constructing multi-acre elephant exhibits has slowed, two new Asian elephant complexes will be opening in 2024. Cincinnati Zoo's Elephant Trek will feature about five acres of space for the pachyderms. New individuals are being imported from Europe to help establish a new breeding herd to inhabit this complex, alongside satellite enclosures for gibbons and otters.
Even more ambitious however is Tulsa Zoo's Elephant Preserve. With 13 acres of space, this will be among the largest elephant complexes in North America, although it seems a majority of that will be out of view. A separate elephant complex will be connected to the "preserve" and provide a more up-close look at the pachyderms. A 36,000 square foot barn will also be impressive and among the largest of its kind in North America.
Lastly, Zoo Tampa's 28 acre South America precinct will be the one of the biggest projects to look out for. The zoo plans on constructing an entirely new entrance that will lead to the exhibit, meaning this exhibit will be a bit of a zoo-within-a-zoo. The sheer size of the complex will allow for a diverse series of habitats and species to be included such as jaguars, giant otters, macaws and much more. Sea lions will also be featured in some capacity, although they will almost certainly be California sea lions filling in for South American sea lions in the same vein as Houston Zoo's newly unveiled Galapagos Islands complex.
That's 13 new exhibits being unveiled in the coming years that I believe could be worthy of the 'must-see' moniker. There are many others in the works that could also be mentioned, such as Woodland Park Zoo's Forests for All house, although not many details have been shared. Almost all of the zoos mentioned have extensive master plans in development that will be executed over the next decade and it will be interesting to see how these zoos evolve over time. The future looks very bright indeed; perhaps I'll have to revisit this list in another 10 years to see just how many more exhibits would merit inclusion.
In the first bonus post I discussed former exhibits that would have made this list if they were still around, so it seems fitting for the final bonus post to take a look at future exhibits that could make a list like this one day. While there are always rumors and tentative projects in the works, I'm just going to talk about confirmed exhibits coming within the next three to four years. The zoo world is constantly changing and with the amount of new higher ups brought in over the last two years, it seems we're entering a new era of exhibit design. While the other three bonus posts were far more structured and streamlined, I'm just going to list all of the future potential 'must-see' exhibits coming soon in no particular order.
One of the biggest American zoo developments at the moment comes from one of the country's rising stars: the upcoming African River Safari project at Nashville Zoo. This is a 40 acre expansion onto undeveloped land which will serve as an elaborate African precinct. The first phase of the project, known as Leopard Forest, will open next year with leopards and primates. Future phases will include multiple enormous savanna habitats for giraffes and hoofstock, hippos, large carnivores, additional primates, birds, and a kopje exhibit. There will also be a lengthy boat tour running through the entire area and it should all culminate in one of the greatest African exhibits in the US.
A much smaller development coming out of Nashville is the upcoming Komodo Dragon Exhibit being built across from the zoo's veterinary center. Slated to open this spring, this will be the largest outdoor komodo dragon habitat in North America. It’s more than just size however, as this habitat aims to house a large group of multiple adult lizards in the same enclosure at the same time. This has not been done to my knowledge and the result could be fascinating.
After being delayed countless times, Fresno Chaffee Zoo formally unveils Kingdoms of Asia in just a few months and while zoo nerds may be sick of ruined temple thematics in Asian exhibits, this one may be a cut above the rest. The zoo has gone the length of working with the local Southeast Asian community to ensure the theming is as authentic as possible. The intended species list goes far beyond just megafauna, although it sounds like reptile collection won't be fully implemented until after the exhibit is completed. Regardless, this will be an extremely detailed complex and the potential mix of sloth bears and small-clawed otters is very alluring itself.
Recently, North Carolina Zoo finally began work on its 10 acre Asia precinct that's been in the works for years. It'll be several more years until it's finally complete, but in all likelihood it will be well worth the wait. It won't be nearly as large or holistic as the long standing North America and Africa zones, but perhaps it's unfair to compare them. Beyond tigers and gibbons, the species list will actually focus on smaller species which is certainly interesting. A Southeast Asian reptile house will likely be a highlight for zoo nerds, as will the large aviaries for cranes and vultures.
The International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo is one of the most controversial zoo exhibits in modern history, which makes it all of the more hilarious to me that it’ll be getting a sequel in 2024. The International Chimpanzee Complex will likely be an even more fascinating development and hopefully marginally less artificial. There will be at least three or more primary enclosures spread across completely different parts of the zoo that will all be connected via a complex overhead tunnel system. With the plan of housing 30+ chimps, it will be fascinating to observe the social dynamics from across the grounds.
There are several more new great ape exhibits being opened in the coming years, although they all seem to be built off of existing exhibits. If you're familiar with my activity on the site, you'll know that I am positively thrilled for Brookfield Zoo's upcoming master plan and hope there will be several 'must-see' exhibits coming in the future. The first major development will be the highly anticipated two acre outdoor extension of Tropic World which has potential to be a showstopper. It will stretch the entire length of the building and be composed of four enclosed outdoor enclosures: two for gorillas, one for orangutans and one for South American monkeys. A new gorilla house is also being built adjacent to the current building which will allow for new species to take residence in the existing indoor gorilla exhibit.
In the further future, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo will similarly be expanding its rainforest building both indoors and outdoors. Primate Forest is the name of the 140,000 square foot extension area and while details are still vague it's a welcome transformation of an exhibit that is in need of an upgrade. You'll have to be patient to see it all come to fruition however, as the extension will open in phases that won't be finished until 2032 at the earliest.
Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo never seems to stay stagnant for very long even when it comes to enhancing their existing exhibit areas. Orangutan Forest has been around for 20 years but was always seen as a bit of an afterthought compared to the adjacent gorilla complex. This renovation is so extensive that it will basically be a brand new exhibit once completed. Another outdoor enclosure is being added and the interior building is being completely redone. The apes will be viewed from multiple elevation points, thematics will be quite imposing, and both gibbons and langurs will be featured in the same space.
Shedd Aquarium will soon move forward with its $500 Million Centennial Commitment campaign, in which the first project will be constructing a new Caribbean Coral Reef habitat. This will replace some of the original historic galleries which is concerning for some, but hopefully it will prove to be an impressive replacement. It's one of many changes that will impact the aquarium during the next decade and it will be interesting to see how things change over time.
Rehabilitation facilities for manatees are much needed, although few will be as visually impressive as Jacksonville Zoo's upcoming Manatee River. This enormous outdoor tank will blend right in with the surrounding wildlife and host manatees alongside dozens of native fish and turtle species. Beyond the covered viewing areas, hopefully the zoo will design the tank in a way that minimizes glare which could be an issue.
While the amount of zoos constructing multi-acre elephant exhibits has slowed, two new Asian elephant complexes will be opening in 2024. Cincinnati Zoo's Elephant Trek will feature about five acres of space for the pachyderms. New individuals are being imported from Europe to help establish a new breeding herd to inhabit this complex, alongside satellite enclosures for gibbons and otters.
Even more ambitious however is Tulsa Zoo's Elephant Preserve. With 13 acres of space, this will be among the largest elephant complexes in North America, although it seems a majority of that will be out of view. A separate elephant complex will be connected to the "preserve" and provide a more up-close look at the pachyderms. A 36,000 square foot barn will also be impressive and among the largest of its kind in North America.
Lastly, Zoo Tampa's 28 acre South America precinct will be the one of the biggest projects to look out for. The zoo plans on constructing an entirely new entrance that will lead to the exhibit, meaning this exhibit will be a bit of a zoo-within-a-zoo. The sheer size of the complex will allow for a diverse series of habitats and species to be included such as jaguars, giant otters, macaws and much more. Sea lions will also be featured in some capacity, although they will almost certainly be California sea lions filling in for South American sea lions in the same vein as Houston Zoo's newly unveiled Galapagos Islands complex.
That's 13 new exhibits being unveiled in the coming years that I believe could be worthy of the 'must-see' moniker. There are many others in the works that could also be mentioned, such as Woodland Park Zoo's Forests for All house, although not many details have been shared. Almost all of the zoos mentioned have extensive master plans in development that will be executed over the next decade and it will be interesting to see how these zoos evolve over time. The future looks very bright indeed; perhaps I'll have to revisit this list in another 10 years to see just how many more exhibits would merit inclusion.
CMTM
Well-Known Member
Bonus Post #4 - Looking Towards the Future: Upcoming Exhibits that may be “Must-see”
This is my favorite post in this thread by far! I am obsessed with this style of concept art. I love seeing the designer's vision of what they see for an exhibit. The Nashville hippo concept especially shows this in my opinion.
Komodo Dragon
Well-Known Member
Personally, I'm quite excited for see what Seattle Aquarium unveils next year. A $160 million expansion will bring a new area, the 50,000 sq. ft. Ocean Pavilion, to join the existing Pier 59 and Pier 60 buildings. As the aquarium currently mostly focuses upon Pacific Northwest habitats, this new building will provide a much-needed attention on endangered tropical ecosystems, including a 360,000-gallon coral reef tank and a mangrove exhibit. Previously the tropic exhibits at Pier 59 have been quite lacking (fake coral everywhere!) so I can't wait to see what they put off!
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81. Jungle World
Bronx Zoo, NY
Opened: 1985
Size: 43,000 Square Feet (4,000 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >70 species including Malayan Tapir, Javan Langur, Matschie’s Tree-Kangaroo, Indian Gharial and a wide variety of birds and ectotherms
Out of all of America's rainforest house behemoths, Jungle World has stood the test of time better than any other. As opposed to squeezing in representation from three different continents under one roof, this building has a distinct advantage by specifically honing in on the fauna and flora of Southeast Asia. There's also less of an emphasis on megafauna, although the too small leopard exhibit is still disappointing and keeping tapirs indoors permanently is also not something to be proud of. Otherwise, exhibit quality is fantastic and while not as large or overwhelming as either Lied Jungle or Tropic World, Jungle World is without question the most thoughtfully designed. The winding boardwalk traverses through large cliffs and overgrowth leading to several rooms each representing different Asian rainforest environments including scrub forests, mangroves, lowland evergreen forests and lower montane forests. Each room is separated by traditional galleries lined with terrariums and educational material about conservation and human impact on rainforests. There are numerous highlights to be seen throughout the building, such as the outstanding gharial habitat with numerous turtles and fish sharing the pond, plus dozens of birds and bats in free-flight. The spacious silvery lutung exhibit with enormous artificial trees is another standout feature. Proboscis monkeys may be gone, but the house still hosts a fair share of rarities such as giant cloud rat and Javan langur. Plans involving a separate wing for orangutans never materialized, although considering the lack of an outdoor accommodation this was probably for the best. Smart decision making and careful attention to detail have allowed this exhibit to age quite well especially when compared to similar exhibits. Ending with a digital counter displaying how many acres of natural rainforest remain, it's also one of the most impactful.
@TinoPup
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Similar Exhibits: Previously covered.
Bronx Zoo, NY
Opened: 1985
Size: 43,000 Square Feet (4,000 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >70 species including Malayan Tapir, Javan Langur, Matschie’s Tree-Kangaroo, Indian Gharial and a wide variety of birds and ectotherms
Out of all of America's rainforest house behemoths, Jungle World has stood the test of time better than any other. As opposed to squeezing in representation from three different continents under one roof, this building has a distinct advantage by specifically honing in on the fauna and flora of Southeast Asia. There's also less of an emphasis on megafauna, although the too small leopard exhibit is still disappointing and keeping tapirs indoors permanently is also not something to be proud of. Otherwise, exhibit quality is fantastic and while not as large or overwhelming as either Lied Jungle or Tropic World, Jungle World is without question the most thoughtfully designed. The winding boardwalk traverses through large cliffs and overgrowth leading to several rooms each representing different Asian rainforest environments including scrub forests, mangroves, lowland evergreen forests and lower montane forests. Each room is separated by traditional galleries lined with terrariums and educational material about conservation and human impact on rainforests. There are numerous highlights to be seen throughout the building, such as the outstanding gharial habitat with numerous turtles and fish sharing the pond, plus dozens of birds and bats in free-flight. The spacious silvery lutung exhibit with enormous artificial trees is another standout feature. Proboscis monkeys may be gone, but the house still hosts a fair share of rarities such as giant cloud rat and Javan langur. Plans involving a separate wing for orangutans never materialized, although considering the lack of an outdoor accommodation this was probably for the best. Smart decision making and careful attention to detail have allowed this exhibit to age quite well especially when compared to similar exhibits. Ending with a digital counter displaying how many acres of natural rainforest remain, it's also one of the most impactful.
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
Similar Exhibits: Previously covered.
Pleistocene891
Well-Known Member
Jungle World desperately needs to replace their Amur leopard with a Clouded Leopard. Not only would a Clouded Leopard be much more appropriate for the exhibit size, it would also fit the Southeast Asian theme.81. Jungle World
Bronx Zoo, NY
Opened: 1985
Size: 43,000 Square Feet (4,000 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: >70 species including Malayan Tapir, Javan Langur, Matschie’s Tree-Kangaroo, Indian Gharial and a wide variety of birds and ectotherms
Out of all of America's rainforest house behemoths, Jungle World has stood the test of time better than any other. As opposed to squeezing in representation from three different continents under one roof, this building has a distinct advantage by specifically honing in on the fauna and flora of Southeast Asia. There's also less of an emphasis on megafauna, although the too small leopard exhibit is still disappointing and keeping tapirs indoors permanently is also not something to be proud of. Otherwise, exhibit quality is fantastic and while not as large or overwhelming as either Lied Jungle or Tropic World, Jungle World is without question the most thoughtfully designed. The winding boardwalk traverses through large cliffs and overgrowth leading to several rooms each representing different Asian rainforest environments including scrub forests, mangroves, lowland evergreen forests and lower montane forests. Each room is separated by traditional galleries lined with terrariums and educational material about conservation and human impact on rainforests. There are numerous highlights to be seen throughout the building, such as the outstanding gharial habitat with numerous turtles and fish sharing the pond, plus dozens of birds and bats in free-flight. The spacious silvery lutung exhibit with enormous artificial trees is another standout feature. Proboscis monkeys may be gone, but the house still hosts a fair share of rarities such as giant cloud rat and Javan langur. Plans involving a separate wing for orangutans never materialized, although considering the lack of an outdoor accommodation this was probably for the best. Smart decision making and careful attention to detail have allowed this exhibit to age quite well especially when compared to similar exhibits. Ending with a digital counter displaying how many acres of natural rainforest remain, it's also one of the most impactful.
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
@TinoPup
Similar Exhibits: Previously covered.
Actually, clouded leopards were the original inhabitants of the enclosure when the building first opened. Apparently they were almost never visible which prompted the zoo to replace them. I do agree that it would be best to revert back to this set-up, as the space is definitely cramped for such a large cat and it's the only blemish on the exhibits geographical theme.
I LOVE ZooTampa, but I honestly can't think of a exhibit or exhibit complex there that would make a top list. It is a wonderful full experience zoo with everything being fair to good, but they don't really have any standouts IMO. The eventual South America area should be a departure from that, however.
82. Predator and Prey Exhibits
Milwaukee County Zoo, WI
Opened: 1961
Size: 3 Acres (1.2 Hectares)
Inhabitants: African Lion, Amur Tiger, Jaguar, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Baird’s Tapir, Bactrian Camel, Alpaca, various antelope and birds.
Only in the last couple of years has Milwaukee finally started to make significant progress after decades of stagnation, but even so much of the zoo is still very much the same as it was when it first opened at the current site. The zoo was once a big proponent of Hagenback-influenced predator and prey panoramas and proudly boasts their history with this style of exhibitry. Some have been discontinued or are due to be replaced, but at the center of the grounds are a U-shaped cluster of yards with hoofstock and larger birds in the front and the carnivores in the back, separated by dry moats seemingly without any barriers between them. There is a profuse amount of mock-rock infesting these exhibits which is fascinating from a historical standpoint, but admittedly quite unattractive. Although they are simple, the hoofstock paddocks are spacious and very much suitable for their inhabitants, although keeping them alongside various pinioned birds isn’t ideal. On the flip side, the outdoor spaces for the carnivores are rather tiny by today's standards and the lions and hyenas having to rotate the same space makes the setup even more cramped. The cat house at the center of the exhibits was redone much more recently and the indoor bedrooms are pretty spacious, some even similar in size as the outdoor grottos. This may be the most grandiose example of Carl Hagenbacks influence in the US and a fascinating showcase of an old-school zoo environment. It will be interesting to see how the zoo will adapt these exhibits in the future.
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Similar Exhibits: While this section of the zoo focuses on African, Asian and South American species, Milwaukee County Zoo has a few North American predator-prey panoramas as well. This is another case where the predators get the short end of the stick with grizzlies on cement and various hoofstock and pinnipeds in much nicer accommodations. Columbus Zoo once had a series of predator-prey exhibits that appeared eerily similar to Milwaukee, although it has been long gone for a while now. While there are definitely other similar panoramas, I'm unsure of any that are so heavily inspired by Hagenbeck.
Milwaukee County Zoo
@Moebelle
@ZooNerd1234
Columbus Zoo (no longer exists)
@Kudu21
Milwaukee County Zoo, WI
Opened: 1961
Size: 3 Acres (1.2 Hectares)
Inhabitants: African Lion, Amur Tiger, Jaguar, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena, Grevy’s Zebra, Baird’s Tapir, Bactrian Camel, Alpaca, various antelope and birds.
Only in the last couple of years has Milwaukee finally started to make significant progress after decades of stagnation, but even so much of the zoo is still very much the same as it was when it first opened at the current site. The zoo was once a big proponent of Hagenback-influenced predator and prey panoramas and proudly boasts their history with this style of exhibitry. Some have been discontinued or are due to be replaced, but at the center of the grounds are a U-shaped cluster of yards with hoofstock and larger birds in the front and the carnivores in the back, separated by dry moats seemingly without any barriers between them. There is a profuse amount of mock-rock infesting these exhibits which is fascinating from a historical standpoint, but admittedly quite unattractive. Although they are simple, the hoofstock paddocks are spacious and very much suitable for their inhabitants, although keeping them alongside various pinioned birds isn’t ideal. On the flip side, the outdoor spaces for the carnivores are rather tiny by today's standards and the lions and hyenas having to rotate the same space makes the setup even more cramped. The cat house at the center of the exhibits was redone much more recently and the indoor bedrooms are pretty spacious, some even similar in size as the outdoor grottos. This may be the most grandiose example of Carl Hagenbacks influence in the US and a fascinating showcase of an old-school zoo environment. It will be interesting to see how the zoo will adapt these exhibits in the future.
@ZooNerd1234
@ZooNerd1234
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@pachyderm pro
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1. Impala Country Exhibit with Cheetah Exhibit
2. Bactrian Camel Exhibit with Tiger Exhibit
3. African Waterhole Exhibit with Lion/Spotted Hyena Exhibit
4. South America Exhibit with Jaguar Exhibit
5. Indoor Tiger Exhibit
2. Bactrian Camel Exhibit with Tiger Exhibit
3. African Waterhole Exhibit with Lion/Spotted Hyena Exhibit
4. South America Exhibit with Jaguar Exhibit
5. Indoor Tiger Exhibit
Similar Exhibits: While this section of the zoo focuses on African, Asian and South American species, Milwaukee County Zoo has a few North American predator-prey panoramas as well. This is another case where the predators get the short end of the stick with grizzlies on cement and various hoofstock and pinnipeds in much nicer accommodations. Columbus Zoo once had a series of predator-prey exhibits that appeared eerily similar to Milwaukee, although it has been long gone for a while now. While there are definitely other similar panoramas, I'm unsure of any that are so heavily inspired by Hagenbeck.
Milwaukee County Zoo
@Moebelle
@ZooNerd1234
Columbus Zoo (no longer exists)
@Kudu21
I don’t think @birdsandbats can complain about Wisconsin being “overlooked and underrated” in this thread. 
Persephone
Well-Known Member
Agreed that prey exhibits are still pretty nice, if a tad unsightly. The carnivores… less so. The polar bear exhibit in particular was really bad. At least that species is no longer kept. It’s weird, too, because one half of the zoo looks like that and the other half is fairly nice and modern. Maybe not good enough for this list (except maybe the small mammal house) but still good.
Not one I expected to see here, but an inclusion I completely agree with.
This was the final pick from the badger state and considering its rather infamous reputation for having such a high density of roadside zoos, I'm sure many are surprised to see four Wisconsin collections represented on this list. Of course, two of those choices were heavily debated and this most recent one definitely isn't on here for it's quality. Regardless, I'm glad I was able to showcase that there are some things worth seeing here.I don’t think @birdsandbats can complain about Wisconsin being “overlooked and underrated” in this thread.
The old polar bear exhibit was probably the worst zoo enclosure I've ever seen and I'm thankful it will never hold polar bears again. You'll notice in my last post I specifically referred to the central panorama enclosures that surround the cat house, not the North American ones. While the cat grottos are far from ideal, at the very least they include natural substrate which is more than what can be said for the bear exhibits. The entire North American area will be demolished in a few years time anyway to make way for the new Alaska precinct.
I find this assessment to be a little generous.
I'd say more like 75% of the zoo looks visibly dated like this. That other 25% is all from the last five years and while it's all nice enough, I've found most of Milwaukee's most recent projects to be a little underwhelming. Nothing bad for sure and in many cases significant upgrades for the inhabitants, but certainly lacking in ambition.
83. Into The Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Oceans
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 2022
Size: 10,000 Square Feet (930 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: A variety of deep sea fish and invertebrates.
There aren’t many new exhibits nowadays that can genuinely be called the first of their kind, but Monterey Bay Aquarium's legacy for innovation continues with its newest endeavor; an exhibit with an exclusive focus on deep sea creatures. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before and it took a lot of time to learn how to keep these species alive. The aquarium has been a pioneer in researching deep sea specimens and to say there are many rarities on display is a terrible understatement. Most of the inhabitants can scarcely be found at any other collection on the planet, if at all. The collection of odd jellyfish is impressive in itself with the only blood-bellied comb jellies on display anywhere in the world and several others that don't even have common names yet. The species list changes frequently with many of the peculiar denizens rotated on and off display, which is a room comprised of dimly lit tanks of all sizes. Many interactive elements are also included, such as a video game detailing the similarities of biological decay to plastic particles, as well as a giant isopod touch tank. As a result of how little is known about this exhibit's inhabitants and its location within the building, the aquarium has alluded to the fact that this exhibit does have an expiration date and will only be around through 2030. For while it is here however, it is something that every zoo nerd and marine enthusiast should go out of their way to see.
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Similar Exhibits: None.
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 2022
Size: 10,000 Square Feet (930 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: A variety of deep sea fish and invertebrates.
There aren’t many new exhibits nowadays that can genuinely be called the first of their kind, but Monterey Bay Aquarium's legacy for innovation continues with its newest endeavor; an exhibit with an exclusive focus on deep sea creatures. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before and it took a lot of time to learn how to keep these species alive. The aquarium has been a pioneer in researching deep sea specimens and to say there are many rarities on display is a terrible understatement. Most of the inhabitants can scarcely be found at any other collection on the planet, if at all. The collection of odd jellyfish is impressive in itself with the only blood-bellied comb jellies on display anywhere in the world and several others that don't even have common names yet. The species list changes frequently with many of the peculiar denizens rotated on and off display, which is a room comprised of dimly lit tanks of all sizes. Many interactive elements are also included, such as a video game detailing the similarities of biological decay to plastic particles, as well as a giant isopod touch tank. As a result of how little is known about this exhibit's inhabitants and its location within the building, the aquarium has alluded to the fact that this exhibit does have an expiration date and will only be around through 2030. For while it is here however, it is something that every zoo nerd and marine enthusiast should go out of their way to see.
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
Similar Exhibits: None.
Forget common names, there's a few species here that don't even have binomials yet!83. Into The Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Oceans
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 2022
Size: 10,000 Square Feet (930 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: A variety of deep sea fish and invertebrates.
There aren’t many new exhibits nowadays that can genuinely be called the first of their kind, but Monterey Bay Aquarium's legacy for innovation continues with its newest endeavor; an exhibit with an exclusive focus on deep sea creatures. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before and it took a lot of time to learn how to keep these species alive. The aquarium has been a pioneer in researching deep sea specimens and to say there are many rarities on display is a terrible understatement. Most of the inhabitants can scarcely be found at any other collection on the planet, if at all. The collection of odd jellyfish is impressive in itself with the only blood-bellied comb jellies on display anywhere in the world and several others that don't even have common names yet. The species list changes frequently with many of the peculiar denizens rotated on and off display, which is a room comprised of dimly lit tanks of all sizes. Many interactive elements are also included, such as a video game detailing the similarities of biological decay to plastic particles, as well as a giant isopod touch tank. As a result of how little is known about this exhibit's inhabitants and its location within the building, the aquarium has alluded to the fact that this exhibit does have an expiration date and will only be around through 2030. For while it is here however, it is something that every zoo nerd and marine enthusiast should go out of their way to see.
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
Similar Exhibits: None.
83. Into The Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Oceans
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 2022
Size: 10,000 Square Feet (930 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: A variety of deep sea fish and invertebrates.
There aren’t many new exhibits nowadays that can genuinely be called the first of their kind, but Monterey Bay Aquarium's legacy for innovation continues with its newest endeavor; an exhibit with an exclusive focus on deep sea creatures. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before and it took a lot of time to learn how to keep these species alive. The aquarium has been a pioneer in researching deep sea specimens and to say there are many rarities on display is a terrible understatement. Most of the inhabitants can scarcely be found at any other collection on the planet, if at all. The collection of odd jellyfish is impressive in itself with the only blood-bellied comb jellies on display anywhere in the world and several others that don't even have common names yet. The species list changes frequently with many of the peculiar denizens rotated on and off display, which is a room comprised of dimly lit tanks of all sizes. Many interactive elements are also included, such as a video game detailing the similarities of biological decay to plastic particles, as well as a giant isopod touch tank. As a result of how little is known about this exhibit's inhabitants and its location within the building, the aquarium has alluded to the fact that this exhibit does have an expiration date and will only be around through 2030. For while it is here however, it is something that every zoo nerd and marine enthusiast should go out of their way to see.
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
Similar Exhibits: None.
It really is a fantastic exhibit complex, it is one of the few areas in any zoo or aquarium that my wife and son wanted to go through twice. The game is fun to play and actually is inspiring to kids, my son came up with a real life version based on the same ideas.
An interesting exhibit with many fascinating species, the ghost shark and comb jellies in particular. I thoroughly enjoyed my walkthrough, and the exhibitry was simple but effective for the species. There were still a large number of species I wish were on exhibit, from sea pigs to some of the more interesting pelagic fish species. In that sense, it is not quite the complete fantasy deep sea exhibit. However for what it is, a collection of interesting species, most of which originate from the Monterey Bay canyon, exhibited in a never-before-seen way, it is phenomenal, and paves the way for future breakthroughs.83. Into The Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Oceans
Monterey Bay Aquarium, CA
Opened: 2022
Size: 10,000 Square Feet (930 Square Meters)
Inhabitants: A variety of deep sea fish and invertebrates.
There aren’t many new exhibits nowadays that can genuinely be called the first of their kind, but Monterey Bay Aquarium's legacy for innovation continues with its newest endeavor; an exhibit with an exclusive focus on deep sea creatures. Nothing like this has ever been attempted before and it took a lot of time to learn how to keep these species alive. The aquarium has been a pioneer in researching deep sea specimens and to say there are many rarities on display is a terrible understatement. Most of the inhabitants can scarcely be found at any other collection on the planet, if at all. The collection of odd jellyfish is impressive in itself with the only blood-bellied comb jellies on display anywhere in the world and several others that don't even have common names yet. The species list changes frequently with many of the peculiar denizens rotated on and off display, which is a room comprised of dimly lit tanks of all sizes. Many interactive elements are also included, such as a video game detailing the similarities of biological decay to plastic particles, as well as a giant isopod touch tank. As a result of how little is known about this exhibit's inhabitants and its location within the building, the aquarium has alluded to the fact that this exhibit does have an expiration date and will only be around through 2030. For while it is here however, it is something that every zoo nerd and marine enthusiast should go out of their way to see.
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
@SwampDonkey
@Coelacanth18
Similar Exhibits: None.
84. Asian Highlands
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, NE
Opened: 2018 (Phase 1), 2019 (Phase 2)
Size: 8 Acres (3.2 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Rhino, Sichuan Takin, Père David’s Deer, Chinese Goral, Tufted Deer, Reeve’s Muntjac, Red Panda, White-naped Crane
Built on a previously undeveloped forested hillside, this complex combines tasteful cultural thematics with natural landscaping. It's meant to represent an abandoned hillside settlement which has been overtaken by wildlife and the result is a perfectly tranquil environment with some very neat inhabitants. There isn't much effort gone into hiding some obvious barriers or holding buildings, as seen most apparent in the sloth bear enclosure, but everything appears very attractive and well put together. You begin at the bottom of the hill with several smaller habitats that are simple, but blend in perfectly with the surrounding area. It leads up to the highly impressive Indian grasslands paddock for Indian rhino and Père David’s deer, which provides quite the spectacular view of both the Simmons aviary and Desert Dome in the background. As you continue uphill you will come across a series of mountain habitats including an impressive snow leopard enclosure and the breathtaking takin and goral cliffside which is undoubtedly the highlight of the whole complex. The rockwork here is phenomenal, being a mix of highly detailed fake rock supplemented by smaller real rocks. At the highest point of the hill is a ruined temple themed viewing pavilion for the tiger enclosure, including a small amphitheater for keeper presentations. Luckily, the actual exhibit avoids this style completely and is extremely well designed with extra effort gone into obscuring the perimeter fencing. In an age where many new exhibits focus on similar species, the inclusion of uncommon Asian hoofstock should be commended and adds further diversity to what's already one of the premiere exhibits of the last decade.
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@Milwaukee Man
Similar Exhibits: Asian Highlands exhibits have become a popular concept which have quickly spread across the US in recent years. Unlike Omaha however, they often focus almost exclusively on cats and most other species are an afterthought. The Asian Highlands exhibit at Hogle Zoo is perhaps the most successful of these honorable mentions, boasting five cat species across a series of quality rotational habitats alongside some pleasant thematics. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo utilizes its hilly location to its advantage in their Asian Highlands exhibit, although this one is visibly dated by comparison. Cleveland Metropark Zoo's take on the concept is on a much smaller scale and the attention detail isn't great outside of some neat theming, but shows what could be done on a smaller site.
Hogle Zoo
@snowleopard
@Ituri
@Arizona Docent
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
@MGolka
@MGolka
@MGolka
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
@blospz
@blospz
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo, NE
Opened: 2018 (Phase 1), 2019 (Phase 2)
Size: 8 Acres (3.2 Hectares)
Inhabitants: Amur Tiger, Snow Leopard, Sloth Bear, Indian Rhino, Sichuan Takin, Père David’s Deer, Chinese Goral, Tufted Deer, Reeve’s Muntjac, Red Panda, White-naped Crane
Built on a previously undeveloped forested hillside, this complex combines tasteful cultural thematics with natural landscaping. It's meant to represent an abandoned hillside settlement which has been overtaken by wildlife and the result is a perfectly tranquil environment with some very neat inhabitants. There isn't much effort gone into hiding some obvious barriers or holding buildings, as seen most apparent in the sloth bear enclosure, but everything appears very attractive and well put together. You begin at the bottom of the hill with several smaller habitats that are simple, but blend in perfectly with the surrounding area. It leads up to the highly impressive Indian grasslands paddock for Indian rhino and Père David’s deer, which provides quite the spectacular view of both the Simmons aviary and Desert Dome in the background. As you continue uphill you will come across a series of mountain habitats including an impressive snow leopard enclosure and the breathtaking takin and goral cliffside which is undoubtedly the highlight of the whole complex. The rockwork here is phenomenal, being a mix of highly detailed fake rock supplemented by smaller real rocks. At the highest point of the hill is a ruined temple themed viewing pavilion for the tiger enclosure, including a small amphitheater for keeper presentations. Luckily, the actual exhibit avoids this style completely and is extremely well designed with extra effort gone into obscuring the perimeter fencing. In an age where many new exhibits focus on similar species, the inclusion of uncommon Asian hoofstock should be commended and adds further diversity to what's already one of the premiere exhibits of the last decade.
@Moebelle
@Moebelle
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@pachyderm pro
@Milwaukee Man
1. Amur Tiger Exhibit
2. Sichuan Takin and Chinese Goral Exhibit
3. Snow Leopard Exhibit
4. Indian Rhino and Père David’s Deer Exhibit
5. Sloth Bear Exhibit
6. Tufted Deer Exhibit
7. Yeti Camp (Refreshment and Rest Area)
8. Entry/Exit Archway
2. Sichuan Takin and Chinese Goral Exhibit
3. Snow Leopard Exhibit
4. Indian Rhino and Père David’s Deer Exhibit
5. Sloth Bear Exhibit
6. Tufted Deer Exhibit
7. Yeti Camp (Refreshment and Rest Area)
8. Entry/Exit Archway
Similar Exhibits: Asian Highlands exhibits have become a popular concept which have quickly spread across the US in recent years. Unlike Omaha however, they often focus almost exclusively on cats and most other species are an afterthought. The Asian Highlands exhibit at Hogle Zoo is perhaps the most successful of these honorable mentions, boasting five cat species across a series of quality rotational habitats alongside some pleasant thematics. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo utilizes its hilly location to its advantage in their Asian Highlands exhibit, although this one is visibly dated by comparison. Cleveland Metropark Zoo's take on the concept is on a much smaller scale and the attention detail isn't great outside of some neat theming, but shows what could be done on a smaller site.
Hogle Zoo
@snowleopard
@Ituri
@Arizona Docent
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
@MGolka
@MGolka
@MGolka
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo
@blospz
@blospz
Maybe it's just me, but this appears to be the only future concept of the ones mentioned here that dares to try something new...A much smaller development coming out of Nashville is the upcoming Komodo Dragon Exhibit being built across from the zoo's veterinary center. Slated to open this spring, this will be the largest outdoor komodo dragon habitat in North America. It’s more than just size however, as this habitat aims to house a large group of multiple adult lizards in the same enclosure at the same time. This has not been done to my knowledge and the result could be fascinating.