Best Exhibit for this Species

Westcoastperson

Westcoastperson

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
This is almost like a ranking of different exhibits. The idea is that I say an animal (you can request animals) and we have people reply with exhibits they know about that they believe is the best exhibit ever built for that species. Once a new animal is brought up for discussion DO NOT talk about the old one, this is case by case so do not bring up exhibits after we are done talking about their species. If you are going to bring up and exhibit back it up with reasoning and explain your thought process, don't just say the exhibit give reasons for why it deserves the title best.
 
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The first species will be Black-Footed/African/Jackass Penguin. I believe two of the better ones are the San Diego Zoo for theming and the addition of Leopard Sharks and London Zoo because of its size.
 
Westcoastperson said:
This is almost like a ranking of different exhibits. The idea is that I say an animal (you can request animals) and we have people reply with exhibits they know about that they believe is the best exhibit ever built for that species. Once a new animal is brought up for discussion DO NOT talk about the old one, this is case by case so do not bring up exhibits after we are done talking about their species.
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It would be great if commenters explained why they made the exhibit choice they did. More interesting to consider someone's thought process and hierarchy of values than simply the naming their favorite exhibit. If X is your favorite peccary exhibit 1) have you seen it in person; 20 what qualities does it have that inspire you to choose it as The Best?
Rather as @Westcoastperson just did!
 
Zooplantman said:
It would be great if commenters explained why they made the exhibit choice they did. More interesting to consider someone's thought process and hierarchy of values than simply the naming their favorite exhibit. If X is your favorite peccary exhibit 1) have you seen it in person; 20 what qualities does it have that inspire you to choose it as The Best?
Rather as @Westcoastperson just did!
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Thats a good point I was hoping people would do that by themselves but now that I think about it I should probably clarify.
 
Westcoastperson said:
The first species will be Black-Footed/African/Jackass Penguin. I believe two of the better ones are the San Diego Zoo for theming and the addition of Leopard Sharks and London Zoo because of its size.
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Maryland Zoo, hands down. The AZA award-winning exhibit has a 175,000 gallon pool with tides, channel currents, a wave crash, nesting rooms, etc. There's 360 degree viewing, a room for public encounters, a small area for educational shows, and a building with plenty of underwater viewing, along with a penguin-only hospital area. There's tons of educational signs, as well.
 
TinoPup said:
Maryland Zoo, hands down. The AZA award-winning exhibit has a 175,000 gallon pool with tides, channel currents, a wave crash, nesting rooms, etc. There's 360 degree viewing, a room for public encounters, a small area for educational shows, and a building with plenty of underwater viewing, along with a penguin-only hospital area. There's tons of educational signs, as well.
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So this one is hard for me to grasp because your right Maryland is an amazing facility but I think San Diego is arguable too. It has 200,000 gallons, goes 13 feet deep, includes a kelp forest, has sharks and fish, includes a massive viewing window, and also won an AZA award. Have you been to both because I've only seen one in person?
 
Westcoastperson said:
So this one is hard for me to grasp because your right Maryland is an amazing facility but I think San Diego is arguable too. It has 200,000 gallons, goes 13 feet deep, includes a kelp forest, has sharks and fish, includes a massive viewing window, and also won an AZA award. Have you been to both because I've only seen one in person?
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I've never been to California. Looking at photos, I personally prefer Maryland. They are the focal species for a fairly small city zoo, vs just one of many features like at San Diego.
 
TinoPup said:
I've never been to California. Looking at photos, I personally prefer Maryland. They are the focal species for a fairly small city zoo, vs just one of many features like at San Diego.
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I guess that could help because it means the zoo put in more work for that exhibit. After thinking about it aesthetically Maryland does have some advantages and the specific penguin care center does help so I'll give it to Maryland.
Next species is Takin (Mishmi Sichuan or golden) two of the best I believe are Pairi Daiza with the more naturalistic exhibit and Omaha with great rock work and climbing opportunities.
 
I love Minnesota's Takin exhibit. Large, quite naturalistic, and plenty of climbing space.

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(Photos taken by @Milwaukee Man)

No photos of it in winter sadly (I strongly believe that Minnesota is best seen in winter).
 
birdsandbats said:
I love Minnesota's Takin exhibit. Large, quite naturalistic, and plenty of climbing space.

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(Photos taken by @Milwaukee Man)

No photos of it in winter sadly (I strongly believe that Minnesota is best seen in winter).
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sorry I didn't respond sooner. It is very naturalistic which is always great but for climbing opportunities, it isn't great. It has some slight elevation but I feel like Pairi Daiza has the naturalistic feel of Minnesota with better climbing opportunities.
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(second and third photos were by KevinB)
 
Ok I'm going to say Pairi Daiza because there doesn't seem to be any other entries.
The next species should get a few more entries. The North American Grizzly Bear. There are many viable options for this species so go ahead.
 
Westcoastperson said:
Please give reasoning and photos if you can. I provided both for birds and bats because he had already mentioned the zoo once and I believe he was using similar reasoning.
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The exhibit is very large and spacious, and has a large stream running through the middle of it that ends in a big pool with an underwater viewing window, and the bears frequently use this water feature, especially during the summer months, which makes it great for watching them. The exhibit is also mostly natural substrate, which has allowed the bears the opportunity to dig dens like they would in the wild. It’s easily one of the best exhibits in the zoo.
 
The Cassowary said:
The exhibit is very large and spacious, and has a large stream running through the middle of it that ends in a big pool with an underwater viewing window, and the bears frequently use this water feature, especially during the summer months, which makes it great for watching them. The exhibit is also mostly natural substrate, which has allowed the bears the opportunity to dig dens like they would in the wild. It’s easily one of the best exhibits in the zoo.
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It is actually a very beautiful exhibit with some great architecture on the side
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And it has amazing views
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Ok so I think I will give this to Minnesota for its space, natural landscape, and great water features.
The next species will be the Jaguar. The Jaguar exhibit at the El Paso Zoo. There are no good photos online and zero of any part of the exhibit on zoo chat so I can't include images. It has a large bridge to bring it to the main exhibit, part of the exhibit is a cave that overlooks a large prey exhibit that looks amazing, and has great viewing opportunities.
 
Westcoastperson said:
Ok so I think I will give this to Minnesota for its space, natural landscape, and great water features.
The next species will be the Jaguar. The Jaguar exhibit at the El Paso Zoo. There are no good photos online and zero of any part of the exhibit on zoo chat so I can't include images. It has a large bridge to bring it to the main exhibit, part of the exhibit is a cave that overlooks a large prey exhibit that looks amazing, and has great viewing opportunities.
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Despite not having seen it personally, I think Jaguar Cove at Woodland Park Zoo takes this easily. It’s densely planted with hiding most obvious barriers with their environmental immersion. I have heard it can be difficult to spot the Jaguars but if it means that their home is suitable for their lifestyle and wonderful, that’s what matters mostly to me although we visit zoos to see animals. An honorable mention would be the Jaguar exhibit at the end of the Rainforest of the Americas at the LA Zoo. A significant improvement from their previous home. Utilizes the hillside of the the zoo for an elevated appearance and can give the Jaguars a good vantage point to watch over guests. This is my own point of view of the LA Zoo exhibit when following through the designated route.
Jaguar exhibit in ROTA

Jaguar exhibit in ROTA

More densely planted as of 2020, the foliage on the hill covers about half of the exhibit on the...
 
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