Like I mentioned earlier, I'll reveal all of the zoos that were considered for the list at the end of this thread. However, if it makes you feel any better Mystic came very, very close to making the cut.
America's 50 Must See Zoos
- Thread starter pachyderm pro
- Start date
I think this is a great inclusion of a zoo that is not talked about on this site enough, in my opinion. The Toyota Elephant Passage and Tropical Discovery I remember as being especially excellent, and overall Denver was one of my favorite zoos I've visited.Colorado - Denver Zoo
Founded: 1896
Size: 84 Acres (34 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 542
Mammals 91
Birds 134
Reptiles & Amphibians 135
Fish 157
Invertebrates 32
There aren't many zoos in America that do a better job contrasting old and modern design philosophies than this one. The most significant developments built within the past two decades both focus on rotational habitats for multiple different species, a concept the zoo has fully embraced. It began with African predators such as lions, hyenas and until recently painted dogs rotating through a trio of excellent savannah habitats. It was subsequently followed up by a complex for Asian elephants, rhinos and tapirs who can all traverse through a series of yards connected via overhead bridges and walkways. The Toyota Elephant Passage takes a much more thematic approach by comparison and also includes smaller species like clouded leopard, fishing cat and white-cheeked gibbon, plus one of America's only bachelor herds of Asian elephants. The primate collection is extremely all encompassing with over 20 species is an amazing set of forest habitats including rarities like aye-aye and hooded capuchin. There are over 300 species in the Tropical Discovery building which predominately houses an immense amount of vivaria. Among them include several rarities and species that were once rarities like the lake Titicaca frog which has spread across American collections at a breakneck speed thanks to the zoos breeding success. Among all of the modern developments much of the zoo is still very old-school. Dusty hoofstock paddocks, a Hagenbeck-inspired dall sheep mountain, and an aged pachyderm building all date back from many decades ago and although they are definitely past their prime they still hold up reasonably well all things considered. All of the truly awful areas like the feline house and bear grottos have been cleared out and between the new and old exhibits the zoos quality never wavers.
Rotational African Predator Exhibit, @geomorph
Siamese Crocodile Exhibit, @geomorph
Red-capped Mangabey Exhibit, @geomorph
Okapi Exhibit, @Milwaukee Man
Elephant House, @geomorph
Zoochat Gallery:
Denver Zoo - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
Home - Denver Zoo
Zoo Map:
https://denverzoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/GED-214_Maps_WebSite_V1.1_JH_06-30-21.jpg
I agree, I was surprised at this snub. I had down Mystic and the New England Aquarium in my list of what I thought the 50 zoos would be, and Mystic was my first miss. Without visiting either myself, New England I wasn't so sure about, but I thought Mystic had a pretty good chance.
Florida - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Founded: 1998
Size: 540 Acres (218 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 396
Mammals 113
Birds 128
Reptiles & Amphibians 64
Fish 43
Invertebrates 48
After the success of animated classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King among others, it seemed only logical that Disney would unveil their own animal centric theme park. That’s what it is at its core, so be prepared to be bombarded with roller coasters and carnival games. With that said, the park went to a respectable effort to keep the amusement attractions separate from the animal habitats. Thanks to what’s pretty much an unlimited budget it’s easy to assume that it goes very over-the-top in thematics, and in many ways it does, but the attention to detail is truly phenomenal as a result especially in the Kilimanjaro Safari tours. It might just be the most convincing replica of an African savannah outside of Africa itself, but the major downside is that you can only see certain things for a very limited amount of time. Elephants, rhinos, mandrills and lions for example are all seen for less than a minute. The largest herd of hippos in North America can be seen both on the safari ride or on foot and it’s fantastic to see such a large group as opposed to just one or two individuals. There are also exceptional gorilla and okapi exhibits that look like a slice of the Congo itself. The Asian exhibits take a much more extravagant approach, but work well regardless. The gibbon and tiger exhibits look straight out of The Jungle Book outfitted with a faux ruined temple display, every zoo nerd's favorite. It may be an amusement park, but do realize that Disney has done an exceptional job creating its own zoo that manages to strike a balance between staying true to its entertainment brand all while showing off animals in a tasteful manner.
Kilimanjaro Safari, @Ituri
Gorilla Exhibit, @snowleopard
Tree of Life, @geomorph
Siamang Exhibit, @Ituri
Hippo Exhibit, @geomorph
Zoochat Gallery:
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/
Zoo Map:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-xe7-Y_Z...AACs/NnFiEGMp6Hc/s1600/AK+2012+Edit+Front.jpg
Founded: 1998
Size: 540 Acres (218 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 396
Mammals 113
Birds 128
Reptiles & Amphibians 64
Fish 43
Invertebrates 48
After the success of animated classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King among others, it seemed only logical that Disney would unveil their own animal centric theme park. That’s what it is at its core, so be prepared to be bombarded with roller coasters and carnival games. With that said, the park went to a respectable effort to keep the amusement attractions separate from the animal habitats. Thanks to what’s pretty much an unlimited budget it’s easy to assume that it goes very over-the-top in thematics, and in many ways it does, but the attention to detail is truly phenomenal as a result especially in the Kilimanjaro Safari tours. It might just be the most convincing replica of an African savannah outside of Africa itself, but the major downside is that you can only see certain things for a very limited amount of time. Elephants, rhinos, mandrills and lions for example are all seen for less than a minute. The largest herd of hippos in North America can be seen both on the safari ride or on foot and it’s fantastic to see such a large group as opposed to just one or two individuals. There are also exceptional gorilla and okapi exhibits that look like a slice of the Congo itself. The Asian exhibits take a much more extravagant approach, but work well regardless. The gibbon and tiger exhibits look straight out of The Jungle Book outfitted with a faux ruined temple display, every zoo nerd's favorite. It may be an amusement park, but do realize that Disney has done an exceptional job creating its own zoo that manages to strike a balance between staying true to its entertainment brand all while showing off animals in a tasteful manner.
Kilimanjaro Safari, @Ituri
Gorilla Exhibit, @snowleopard
Tree of Life, @geomorph
Siamang Exhibit, @Ituri
Hippo Exhibit, @geomorph
Zoochat Gallery:
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/
Zoo Map:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-xe7-Y_Z...AACs/NnFiEGMp6Hc/s1600/AK+2012+Edit+Front.jpg
Ah yes, the first collection on this list I have visited... and the lastFlorida - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Founded: 1998
Size: 540 Acres (218 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 396
Mammals 113
Birds 128
Reptiles & Amphibians 64
Fish 43
Invertebrates 48
After the success of animated classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King among others, it seemed only logical that Disney would unveil their own animal centric theme park. That’s what it is at its core, so be prepared to be bombarded with roller coasters and carnival games. With that said, the park went to a respectable effort to keep the amusement attractions separate from the animal habitats. Thanks to what’s pretty much an unlimited budget it’s easy to assume that it goes very over-the-top in thematics, and in many ways it does, but the attention to detail is truly phenomenal as a result especially in the Kilimanjaro Safari tours. It might just be the most convincing replica of an African savannah outside of Africa itself, but the major downside is that you can only see certain things for a very limited amount of time. Elephants, rhinos, mandrills and lions for example are all seen for less than a minute. The largest herd of hippos in North America can be seen both on the safari ride or on foot and it’s fantastic to see such a large group as opposed to just one or two individuals. There are also exceptional gorilla and okapi exhibits that look like a slice of the Congo itself. The Asian exhibits take a much more extravagant approach, but work well regardless. The gibbon and tiger exhibits look straight out of The Jungle Book outfitted with a faux ruined temple display, every zoo nerd's favorite. It may be an amusement park, but do realize that Disney has done an exceptional job creating its own zoo that manages to strike a balance between staying true to its entertainment brand all while showing off animals in a tasteful manner.
Kilimanjaro Safari, @Ituri
Gorilla Exhibit, @snowleopard
Tree of Life, @geomorph
Siamang Exhibit, @Ituri
Hippo Exhibit, @geomorph
Zoochat Gallery:
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/
Zoo Map:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-xe7-Y_Z...AACs/NnFiEGMp6Hc/s1600/AK+2012+Edit+Front.jpg
Glad to see it here.
Florida - St. Augustine Alligator Farm
Founded: 1893
Size: 7 Acres (3 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 143
Mammals 12
Birds 36
Reptiles & Amphibians 95
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Across the country there are many roadside reptile parks with immense collections, but a pitifully low standard of exhibitry. This however is defintely not one of them. This is the only institution in the world with all 24 or more known species of crocodilian, and there are well over 1,000 individual specimens. Many of these species are almost completely absent from American collections such the saltwater crocodile, New Guinea crocodile, Siamese crocodile, Malaysian gharial and many more. All of the enclosures share the same relatively simplistic design, but are aesthetically excellent and suit their residents' needs perfectly. There is also a much larger swamp enclosure with hundreds and hundreds of American alligators and a rookery for wild wading birds, showing how the birds will congregate near the alligators who scare off other predators. There is much more to find beyond the the assortment of crocodilians including several lemur species, marmosets, an area for African vultures and storks, a snake house with rarities like New Guinea olive python and white-lipped python, plus some even larger surprises like Komodo dragon and cassowary. Even if you're not a crocodilian enthusiast, be assured there are still more than enough reasons why this is a must-see institution, and there’s a good chance you just might leave one.
General View, @snowleopard
Mugger Crocodile Exhibit, @snowleopard
American Alligator Swamp, @snowleopard
Indian Gharial Exhibit, @snowleopard
Komodo Dragon Exhibit, @snowleopard
Zoochat Gallery:
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park – Alligator Attractions and Exhibits, Zoo, Zip Lining, Bird Rookery and Nature and Wildlife Exhibits
Zoo Map:
https://www.alligatorfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAAF_Map050621.jpg
Founded: 1893
Size: 7 Acres (3 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 143
Mammals 12
Birds 36
Reptiles & Amphibians 95
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Across the country there are many roadside reptile parks with immense collections, but a pitifully low standard of exhibitry. This however is defintely not one of them. This is the only institution in the world with all 24 or more known species of crocodilian, and there are well over 1,000 individual specimens. Many of these species are almost completely absent from American collections such the saltwater crocodile, New Guinea crocodile, Siamese crocodile, Malaysian gharial and many more. All of the enclosures share the same relatively simplistic design, but are aesthetically excellent and suit their residents' needs perfectly. There is also a much larger swamp enclosure with hundreds and hundreds of American alligators and a rookery for wild wading birds, showing how the birds will congregate near the alligators who scare off other predators. There is much more to find beyond the the assortment of crocodilians including several lemur species, marmosets, an area for African vultures and storks, a snake house with rarities like New Guinea olive python and white-lipped python, plus some even larger surprises like Komodo dragon and cassowary. Even if you're not a crocodilian enthusiast, be assured there are still more than enough reasons why this is a must-see institution, and there’s a good chance you just might leave one.
General View, @snowleopard
Mugger Crocodile Exhibit, @snowleopard
American Alligator Swamp, @snowleopard
Indian Gharial Exhibit, @snowleopard
Komodo Dragon Exhibit, @snowleopard
Zoochat Gallery:
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park – Alligator Attractions and Exhibits, Zoo, Zip Lining, Bird Rookery and Nature and Wildlife Exhibits
Zoo Map:
https://www.alligatorfarm.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/SAAF_Map050621.jpg
Although the map that you quoted in your post is more-or-less outdated thanks to the addition of Pandora (see the map post below for comparison). But overall, it’s great to see that DAK was able enough to be included in this thread thanks to this wonderful review of yours.Florida - Disney's Animal Kingdom
Founded: 1998
Size: 540 Acres (218 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 396
Mammals 113
Birds 128
Reptiles & Amphibians 64
Fish 43
Invertebrates 48
After the success of animated classics such as The Jungle Book and The Lion King among others, it seemed only logical that Disney would unveil their own animal centric theme park. That’s what it is at its core, so be prepared to be bombarded with roller coasters and carnival games. With that said, the park went to a respectable effort to keep the amusement attractions separate from the animal habitats. Thanks to what’s pretty much an unlimited budget it’s easy to assume that it goes very over-the-top in thematics, and in many ways it does, but the attention to detail is truly phenomenal as a result especially in the Kilimanjaro Safari tours. It might just be the most convincing replica of an African savannah outside of Africa itself, but the major downside is that you can only see certain things for a very limited amount of time. Elephants, rhinos, mandrills and lions for example are all seen for less than a minute. The largest herd of hippos in North America can be seen both on the safari ride or on foot and it’s fantastic to see such a large group as opposed to just one or two individuals. There are also exceptional gorilla and okapi exhibits that look like a slice of the Congo itself. The Asian exhibits take a much more extravagant approach, but work well regardless. The gibbon and tiger exhibits look straight out of The Jungle Book outfitted with a faux ruined temple display, every zoo nerd's favorite. It may be an amusement park, but do realize that Disney has done an exceptional job creating its own zoo that manages to strike a balance between staying true to its entertainment brand all while showing off animals in a tasteful manner.
Kilimanjaro Safari, @Ituri
Gorilla Exhibit, @snowleopard
Tree of Life, @geomorph
Siamang Exhibit, @Ituri
Hippo Exhibit, @geomorph
Zoochat Gallery:
Disney's Animal Kingdom® Park - ZooChat
Zoo Website:
https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/destinations/animal-kingdom/
Zoo Map:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v-xe7-Y_Z...AACs/NnFiEGMp6Hc/s1600/AK+2012+Edit+Front.jpg
Florida - White Oak Conservation Center
Founded: 1982
Size: 17,000 Acres (6,800 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 30
Mammals 22
Birds 8
Reptiles & Amphibians 0
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Tucked away on an enormous plantation just south of the Florida-Georgia line, in order to visit this secluded breeding center tours must be reserved in advance. The big focus is ungulates with about a dozen hoofstock species and three different species of rhino. Most can be found in open pastures that dot the landscape, although the center uniquely keeps giraffes in a partially wooded environment. Cape buffalo, gerenuk, roan antelope and somali wild ass are the most notable rarities that can all be seen in vast herds. There are several carnivores as well: tiger, Florida panther, maned wolf and cheetah. These enclosures also make use of the existing forested areas and seeing large cats have access to huge trees is wonderful. There are also some larger birds like cassowary, three species of crane and three species of curassow. There is a heavy emphasis on conservation and the park has done exceptional work worldwide since its conception. Florida panthers are constantly rescued and rehabilitated, sandhill cranes and whooping cranes have been bred and released into their native range, and it even participated in the reintroduction of species like bongo and roan antelope. The center recently welcomed a dozen asian elephants and will eventually have 30 individuals, making this the largest herd outside of Asia. The arrival of these animals will be crucial to the sustainability of the US population down the line. Many zoos take pride in boasting about the size of their elephant enclosures, but I somehow doubt any of them will ever be able to compete with White Oak’s 2,500 acre elephant complex.
Indian Rhino Enclosure, @snowleopard
Giraffe Enclosure, @snowleopard
Florida Panther Enclosure, @snowleopard
Okapi Enclosure, @snowleopard
Asian Elephant Enclosure, whiteoakwildlife.org
Zoochat Gallery:
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/categories/white-oak-conservation-center.1010/
Zoo Website:
White Oak Conservation - Animal Conservation in Yulee, Florida
Zoo Map:
N/A
Founded: 1982
Size: 17,000 Acres (6,800 Hectares)
Species & Subspecies (On and Off Exhibit): 30
Mammals 22
Birds 8
Reptiles & Amphibians 0
Fish 0
Invertebrates 0
Tucked away on an enormous plantation just south of the Florida-Georgia line, in order to visit this secluded breeding center tours must be reserved in advance. The big focus is ungulates with about a dozen hoofstock species and three different species of rhino. Most can be found in open pastures that dot the landscape, although the center uniquely keeps giraffes in a partially wooded environment. Cape buffalo, gerenuk, roan antelope and somali wild ass are the most notable rarities that can all be seen in vast herds. There are several carnivores as well: tiger, Florida panther, maned wolf and cheetah. These enclosures also make use of the existing forested areas and seeing large cats have access to huge trees is wonderful. There are also some larger birds like cassowary, three species of crane and three species of curassow. There is a heavy emphasis on conservation and the park has done exceptional work worldwide since its conception. Florida panthers are constantly rescued and rehabilitated, sandhill cranes and whooping cranes have been bred and released into their native range, and it even participated in the reintroduction of species like bongo and roan antelope. The center recently welcomed a dozen asian elephants and will eventually have 30 individuals, making this the largest herd outside of Asia. The arrival of these animals will be crucial to the sustainability of the US population down the line. Many zoos take pride in boasting about the size of their elephant enclosures, but I somehow doubt any of them will ever be able to compete with White Oak’s 2,500 acre elephant complex.
Indian Rhino Enclosure, @snowleopard
Giraffe Enclosure, @snowleopard
Florida Panther Enclosure, @snowleopard
Okapi Enclosure, @snowleopard
Asian Elephant Enclosure, whiteoakwildlife.org
Zoochat Gallery:
https://www.zoochat.com/community/media/categories/white-oak-conservation-center.1010/
Zoo Website:
White Oak Conservation - Animal Conservation in Yulee, Florida
Zoo Map:
N/A
I would really love to get to White Oak someday, it is a fantastic place, so it seems.
I agree with @TinoPup, White Oak doesn’t fit the mold of a zoo in my opinion. I follow them on social media and wholeheartedly love the work they do, seeing how they have an absolute massive plot of land for the elephants makes it a winner in my book! But seeing that it’s only via expensive tours, it would close the door for many without considering travel expenses either. I still love this facility and hope to visit one day
Yeah, I strongly disagree with White Oak as a pick. Besides the fact that in some ways it may not even count as a zoo, surely the unreasonably high price for a tour automatically disqualifies it, right? $400 is more money then I am willing to spend on zoo admission, and what do I get to see for it, some hoofstock I could see at lots of other facilities?
White Oak does great work and I’m sure they are a great facility, but I don’t think it is must-see, especially for that price.
White Oak does great work and I’m sure they are a great facility, but I don’t think it is must-see, especially for that price.
Last edited:
Aardwolf
Well-Known Member
It's quite spectacular - I wish that it were possible to just walk around. I went through on a tour as part of a conference, and we just kind of breezed along. I'd have loved to have lingered and some of the enclosures more - to say nothing of stopping to enjoy some of the native wildlife
I really want to visit, because of their cheetah breeding program, but it's well out of my price range (without adding in travel costs and wanting to visit other places in the area).
At the risk of seeming like a pile-on, my first thought when I saw the selection was 'is this really a must-see at any price?' The website doesn't even *list* a price, which was enough to know that it's out of my league.
Sidebar: I believe this is post number 3000 for me. I'm not one to make a big fuss, but especially as I'm far from the most prolific or consistent poster, I will take this one moment to say that it's a reflection of the thought-provoking and above all *nice* community we have gathered here that I'm still here, quibbling over whether White Oak is a must-see after 3000 posts, four days shy of 13 years after I first joined the site. Thanks to all who help make this hobby fun.
Sidebar: I believe this is post number 3000 for me. I'm not one to make a big fuss, but especially as I'm far from the most prolific or consistent poster, I will take this one moment to say that it's a reflection of the thought-provoking and above all *nice* community we have gathered here that I'm still here, quibbling over whether White Oak is a must-see after 3000 posts, four days shy of 13 years after I first joined the site. Thanks to all who help make this hobby fun.
Finally, a controversial pick! I've been surprised how agreed upon every choice has been so far, it's been getting a little boring as far as I’m concerned. 
In my opinion White Oak definitely deserves to be featured on this list and I fully realize some will disagree which is completely ok. Friendly debate is what makes threads like these so interesting and I'll gladly defend my position.
Just to make it clear, are you suggesting that facilities only open by guided tour should be disqualified? If so, I definitely disagree. Any and all American zoological institutions are eligible to be featured and micromanaging what should be allowed seems counterproductive to creating a list showing the true diversity of American collections. I see no reason why facilities only seen through a reserved tour shouldn't be included, as they all have the potential to be just as "must-see" as any traditional zoo. I'll say now there is one other facility later on this list that is only open by reservation and I will be curious to see if it gets the same amount of pushback as this one.
The pricing is definitely very high, no denying that and I understand that it's not something everyone can afford or be willing to spend. With that said, cost and worth are very subjective factors that are decided on an individual basis. I'm sure there are some who will read this list and won't be willing to spend money to see Disney, SeaWorld, or even the San Diego parks, but that doesn't make them any less "must-see."
When choosing what places made the list I didn't just consider if it had a vast collection of rarities or several top-notch exhibits. A big part of the decision making process was if it provided a unique experience, which this one definitely does. The western hemisphere's largest elephant herd, a variety of rare hoofstock, terrific enclosures that use the natural landscape, and the amazing breeding records are all just gravy. I think even those who disagree with it's inclusion can't argue that.
In my opinion White Oak definitely deserves to be featured on this list and I fully realize some will disagree which is completely ok. Friendly debate is what makes threads like these so interesting and I'll gladly defend my position.Just to make it clear, are you suggesting that facilities only open by guided tour should be disqualified? If so, I definitely disagree. Any and all American zoological institutions are eligible to be featured and micromanaging what should be allowed seems counterproductive to creating a list showing the true diversity of American collections. I see no reason why facilities only seen through a reserved tour shouldn't be included, as they all have the potential to be just as "must-see" as any traditional zoo. I'll say now there is one other facility later on this list that is only open by reservation and I will be curious to see if it gets the same amount of pushback as this one.
The pricing is definitely very high, no denying that and I understand that it's not something everyone can afford or be willing to spend. With that said, cost and worth are very subjective factors that are decided on an individual basis. I'm sure there are some who will read this list and won't be willing to spend money to see Disney, SeaWorld, or even the San Diego parks, but that doesn't make them any less "must-see."
In what way? It could just as easily be argued that the California Academy of Sciences or Disney's Animal Kingdom might not count as a zoo for a variety of different reasons. The term zoo is pretty all-encompassing in the context of this thread and I struggle to see how a facility that can be visited by the public and includes elephant, giraffe, rhino, tiger, etc, somehow isn't a zoo.
When choosing what places made the list I didn't just consider if it had a vast collection of rarities or several top-notch exhibits. A big part of the decision making process was if it provided a unique experience, which this one definitely does. The western hemisphere's largest elephant herd, a variety of rare hoofstock, terrific enclosures that use the natural landscape, and the amazing breeding records are all just gravy. I think even those who disagree with it's inclusion can't argue that.
It is certainly subjective, but it comes down to what you mean by "must-see". I think a 'value for money' consideration is inherent in that phrase. I realise that doesn't mean the same thing for everybody - I don't think I'd pay $US109 to go to Disney's Animal Kingdom, but I recognise that many would and fully understand your including it. DAK's value proposition is, I think, at the far end of a spectrum that begins with St Louis, being both world-class and free.
White Oak, by contrast, is an outlier above even DAK's price by a factor of four. The photos do look nice, but how many of us would honestly say we would pay that price for some elephants, giraffes, okapis, rhinos, cheetahs and 20 odd other common-enough-in-captivity species? Be honest - would *you* pay that much yourself? If the answer is no, then I think it fails to meet the 'must-see' definition, however unique it might arguably be.
I'm not writing this to encourage you to change your list - I'm pleased to see you stick to your guns and defend the selection - but it's not somewhere I'll be considering in my top 50 target collections whenever I get back to the US.
White Oak, by contrast, is an outlier above even DAK's price by a factor of four. The photos do look nice, but how many of us would honestly say we would pay that price for some elephants, giraffes, okapis, rhinos, cheetahs and 20 odd other common-enough-in-captivity species? Be honest - would *you* pay that much yourself? If the answer is no, then I think it fails to meet the 'must-see' definition, however unique it might arguably be.
I'm not writing this to encourage you to change your list - I'm pleased to see you stick to your guns and defend the selection - but it's not somewhere I'll be considering in my top 50 target collections whenever I get back to the US.
In my opinion, hearing or reading the phrase “must-see” seems to go in tandem with monetary value. Meaning, if they’re the top 50 must see, pricing is a big consideration to be part of it and that price for White Oak is punching WAY above probably 90% of all other zoological institutions in the US. Not to say that people shouldn’t visit at all, I’ve read and admired from afar the work this facility has done and is now on my bucket list for down the road. But again, this is your list and you do what you gotta do
Finally, a controversial pick! I've been surprised how agreed upon every choice has been so far, it's been getting a little boring as far as I’m concerned.
Just to make it clear, are you suggesting that facilities only open by guided tour should be disqualified? If so, I definitely disagree. Any and all American zoological institutions are eligible to be featured and micromanaging what should be allowed seems counterproductive to creating a list showing the true diversity of American collections. I see no reason why facilities only seen through a reserved tour shouldn't be included, as they all have the potential to be just as "must-see" as any traditional zoo. I'll say now there is one other facility later on this list that is only open by reservation and I will be curious to see if it gets the same amount of pushback as this one.
The pricing is definitely very high, no denying that and I understand that it's not something everyone can afford or be willing to spend. With that said, cost and worth are very subjective factors that are decided on an individual basis. I'm sure there are some who will read this list and won't be willing to spend money to see Disney, SeaWorld, or even the San Diego parks, but that doesn't make them any less "must-see."
In what way? It could just as easily be argued that the California Academy of Sciences or Disney's Animal Kingdom might not count as a zoo for a variety of different reasons. The term zoo is pretty all-encompassing in the context of this thread and I struggle to see how a facility that can be visited by the public and includes elephant, giraffe, rhino, tiger, etc, somehow isn't a zoo.
When choosing what places made the list I didn't just consider if it had a vast collection of rarities or several top-notch exhibits. A big part of the decision making process was if it provided a unique experience, which this one definitely does. The western hemisphere's largest elephant herd, a variety of rare hoofstock, terrific enclosures that use the natural landscape, and the amazing breeding records are all just gravy. I think even those who disagree with it's inclusion can't argue that.
I'm guessing the other one will be Duke, and that isn't truly a zoo, either. AZA doesn't even consider them zoos. By the broadest definitions, sure, but when it comes to what the general person means by "zoo", and what a list like this should be about? No. I imagine both of those facilities would also say they aren't zoos, as well.
Having large yards and good breeding programs doesn't make somewhere "must see", especially given the large amount of options this country has. If something is going to be "must see", it should be accessible to those wanting to see it.
Disney, SW, and SD have a lot more to offer and are places people will spend all day at, without even mentioning rides and non-animal stuff. They also are considerably cheaper. White Oak is 6.5x more expensive than a full price ticket to either of the San Diego parks. I'm not sure there's anyone on here who would pay that much to go to White Oak, frankly.