GraysonDP
Well-Known Member
Fortunately for tigers, a fair amount of modern exhibits have been built for the animals in recent decades. Every year it seems at least a few new ones open in America's zoos, replacing the grottos that used to plague them. I'm curious what fellow zoochatters regard as the best tiger exhibits in the country. Of the ones I've seen, here are my favorites:
1. Bronx Zoo- This one has it all. Tiger Mountain is the perfect habitat for Siberian tigers: it's got water for them to swim, space for them to walk, rocks for them to sit on, balls for them to play with, and trees to create a naturalistic environment. Add to this the visitor's perspective: they're surrounded by tigers and get the perfect view at their interesting behavior. While naturalistic enough, the Wild Asia enclosure provides a less satisfying visitor experience. I wouldn't mind if the tiger(s) in there were relocated to Tiger Mountain and the habitat was used to make more space for the elephants, rhinos, and/or hoof stock.
2. Animal Kingdom- My one beef about this one is it's much more of a grasslands habitat than a forest habitat and I wish it had a lot more trees. However, it is one of the largest tiger exhibits I've seen and it has plenty of room for them to roam and elevation for them to climb. It has a temple ruin in the middle full of water for them to swim.
3. San Diego Zoo- A very lush exhibit recreating a forest environment. It's well planted and has trees for the tigers to walk and climb on.
4. Columbus Zoo- Excellent facility for tigers with multiple enclosures for them to choose. The Asian-themed details give authenticity to this exhibit and provide a great viewing experience.
5. Zoo Miami- A large exhibit complete with an abandoned temple. The moat is well incorporated into the enclosure.
6. Memphis Zoo- Detailed, carefully designed exhibit full of enrichment opportunities. A visually attractive one as well.
7. Dallas Zoo- Trees and bamboo are prevalent in this elusive exhibit. It takes the visitor and the tiger into a hidden corner of an Asian rainforest and does so believably.
8. Cincinnati Zoo- This one is a little too grottoesque for my tastes but the zoo has a solid tiger program and has great success at breeding them in the past. Overall the exhibit is pretty good and does a decent job at providing for the needs of the cats.
9. Fort Worth Zoo- The waterfall is the standout feature of this exhibit. Not the largest tiger exhibit but an attractive one and one with good viewing opportunities.
10. San Diego Safari Park- Rainforest enclosures aren't really the specialty of this park known for its field exhibits but the tiger exhibit is definitely satisfactory.
1. Bronx Zoo- This one has it all. Tiger Mountain is the perfect habitat for Siberian tigers: it's got water for them to swim, space for them to walk, rocks for them to sit on, balls for them to play with, and trees to create a naturalistic environment. Add to this the visitor's perspective: they're surrounded by tigers and get the perfect view at their interesting behavior. While naturalistic enough, the Wild Asia enclosure provides a less satisfying visitor experience. I wouldn't mind if the tiger(s) in there were relocated to Tiger Mountain and the habitat was used to make more space for the elephants, rhinos, and/or hoof stock.
2. Animal Kingdom- My one beef about this one is it's much more of a grasslands habitat than a forest habitat and I wish it had a lot more trees. However, it is one of the largest tiger exhibits I've seen and it has plenty of room for them to roam and elevation for them to climb. It has a temple ruin in the middle full of water for them to swim.
3. San Diego Zoo- A very lush exhibit recreating a forest environment. It's well planted and has trees for the tigers to walk and climb on.
4. Columbus Zoo- Excellent facility for tigers with multiple enclosures for them to choose. The Asian-themed details give authenticity to this exhibit and provide a great viewing experience.
5. Zoo Miami- A large exhibit complete with an abandoned temple. The moat is well incorporated into the enclosure.
6. Memphis Zoo- Detailed, carefully designed exhibit full of enrichment opportunities. A visually attractive one as well.
7. Dallas Zoo- Trees and bamboo are prevalent in this elusive exhibit. It takes the visitor and the tiger into a hidden corner of an Asian rainforest and does so believably.
8. Cincinnati Zoo- This one is a little too grottoesque for my tastes but the zoo has a solid tiger program and has great success at breeding them in the past. Overall the exhibit is pretty good and does a decent job at providing for the needs of the cats.
9. Fort Worth Zoo- The waterfall is the standout feature of this exhibit. Not the largest tiger exhibit but an attractive one and one with good viewing opportunities.
10. San Diego Safari Park- Rainforest enclosures aren't really the specialty of this park known for its field exhibits but the tiger exhibit is definitely satisfactory.
